Getting your business on Google maps is no longer just a nice-to-have, it’s the starting point of discoverability. Whether you’re managing a handful of stores or hundreds of locations, showing up in Google’s local results (Maps, Search, and increasingly, AI-powered snapshots) plays a direct role in how often your brand is seen, clicked, and visited.
In this guide, we’ll walk through:
- How to add your business to Google
- The key elements that drive visibility
- Optimizations for better rankings and engagement
Why Being on Google Matters
- 72% of consumers search online for local businesses weekly, 32% do so daily.
- 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a related business within 24 hours.
- 42% of local searches lead to clicks on Google’s local pack (the map-based results).
- Businesses with complete, optimized profiles receive 5× more views on Google Maps and are 2.7× more likely to get customer actions like clicks, calls, and requests.
Step 1: Add or Claim Your Business Profile on Google
Google Business Profile (GBP) is your official business listing across Google Search and Maps. It’s free, but it must be verified.
To get started:
- Go to google.com/business
- Sign in with your business email
- Search for your business name – if it exists, claim it; if not, create a new one
- Fill in business details like name, category, location, and contact info
- Verify your business (postcard, phone, or email depending on eligibility)
Step 2: Complete and Optimize Your Profile
Completeness matters, and a lot. Verified, fully-complete profiles are 80% more likely to appear in search results. Here’s what to prioritize:
Business Info
- Name, Address, Phone (NAP) consistency across all platforms
- Primary business category (choose the most specific one)
- Opening hours, including holidays
- Website and booking links (where applicable)
Photos & Visual Content
- Businesses with 100+ photos see:
- 960% more views
- 520% more calls
- 2,717% more direction requests
- 960% more views
- Aim for 15-100+ location-specific, high-quality images: storefronts, interiors, products, team, etc.
- Use vertical or square formats for mobile-friendliness
Description & Services
- Add a keyword-rich business description (750 characters max)
- Include service menus, product categories, or attributes like "LGBTQ+ friendly" or "pet-friendly"
Step 3: Keep Your Profile Active
An up-to-date profile signals relevance to both customers and algorithms.
- Post updates, promotions, or events weekly using Google Posts
- Respond to customer reviews (especially negative ones), doing so builds trust and boosts performance
- Add FAQs and respond to questions in the Q&A section
Step 4: Encourage and Manage Reviews
- 91% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
- Every 10 new reviews increases GBP conversion by 2.8%
- Responding to 25% of reviews boosts conversion by 4.1%
- A 1-star rating increase can lead to 44% higher conversions
Make reviews a habit:
- Ask at checkout or via email
- Use QR codes for in-store signage
- Make it easy for store staff to respond using local tools
Learn how to ask for Google Reviews and why they matter more than ever.
Step 5: Use Schema Markup and AI Optimization
As AI-powered search becomes more common (Google SGE, Bing Copilot, etc.), having structured data increases your chances of being summarized correctly.
- Add LocalBusiness schema to your website
- Include NAP, opening hours, and coordinates in markup
- Connect your GBP to accurate landing pages (store locator, etc.)
- Keep metadata fresh: regular photo uploads, updated hours, etc.
Google’s AI uses a mix of profile content, reviews, and structured data to generate local summaries.
Learn more winning tactics of using local business Schema Markup for multiple locations.
How PinMeTo Helps Multi-Location Brands Get on Google
Managing your business visibility on Google gets significantly more complex when you’re dealing with tens, hundreds, or thousands of locations. That’s where local seo automation tools like PinMeTo come in, giving multi-location brands a way to stay accurate, efficient, and consistent at scale.
- Data Accuracy Across Networks
Push verified business data to Google, Facebook, Apple Maps, Bing, and dozens of other platforms from one place. Any updates, like holiday hours or new service offerings are synced everywhere your customers might find you.
- AI-Powered Review Management
Handle Google reviews faster and more efficiently with AI tools like response text generation, auto-reply flows, spam detection and language-based filtering. These features help teams prioritize the right conversations and reduce noise, especially at scale.
- See What Needs Fixing, Fast
PinMeTo’s Listings Dashboard gives teams a birds-eye view of their performance and optimization tasks. The integrated To-do list shows exactly what’s missing or needs attention, color-coded by priority so you can maintain profile health without guesswork.
- Data Completeness at a Glance
With improved visuals and tracking, teams can quickly identify which listings are fully optimized and where action is needed, helping you hit that 100% data completeness goal that drives visibility in local search.
FAQs: Getting Your Business on Google maps
How long does it take for a new business to appear on Google?
After verification, most listings appear within 3–5 days. Ensure all info is filled in to speed up indexing.
What if my business has multiple locations?
Use Google’s bulk location management or a platform like PinMeTo to keep data consistent across all your locations.
Can I be on Google without a physical storefront?
Yes. Set your business as a Service Area Business (SAB) if you visit customers but don’t receive them at a location.
How do I improve my Google ranking?
Focus on completeness, reviews, high-quality photos, and local backlinks. Adding structured data (schema) to your site also helps.
What’s the difference between a Google Business Profile and a website?
GBP is your official listing in search and maps. It complements your website by improving discoverability and click-through rates.
Lily Adamyan, July 31
