How to Create a Google Business Profile: Set Up a Free Business Profile on Google

In 2025, people won't just walk into your store just because it's there. They will first Google your products or services online and then discover your local business! So, if you don’t have a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), your competitors are already stealing your customers.

The good news? You can fix this in under 30 minutes.

As a trusted local SEO company in Kolkata, we’ve helped over 450+ businesses set up and optimize their Google listings. From e-commerce service providers to dental clinics, every business can gain more leads and generate more revenue by setting up a Google Business Profile!

In this detailed step-by-step guide, we will show you how to create, set up, and verify your Google My Business Profile like a pro — no shortcuts or complicated jargon. 

What is Google My Business (Now Google Business Profile)?

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is your business's digital representative on Google. It's a free tool that allows you to add your business to Google Maps and local search results. 

Imagine this: When customers Google any product or service relevant to your business, they see you at the top! Amazing, right? That's what you can do with a Google Business Profile and support from the local SEO expert in Kolkata. 

Think of it as your mini-website on Google that shows up when someone searches for the products or services you offer or searches for your business name. The Google Profile Business will display important information like business hours, location, photos, reviews, and even allow customers to message you directly.

The name change from Google My Business to Google Business Profile happened in November 2021, but it's still the same powerful tool, just with a fresh new name. Over the years, Google has also simplified how you manage the tool—you can now update your listing directly from Google Search and Maps instead of needing to use a separate app.

Recommended: How Does Google Business Profile Work for Local Businesses?

Why You Need a Google Business Profile in 2025

• 88 %+ of Indian users search for local services on mobile
• “Near me” searches have been gaining more popularity by over 900% (e.g., “salon near me”, “AC repair in Kolkata”)
• Verified businesses get 70% more visits and are 50% more trusted by customers

In short, no GBP = no local visibility.

Not setting up a Google Business Profile is equivalent to being invisible to your local customers. No exaggeration.

When someone searches "coffee shop near me" or "plumber in [your city]," businesses with complete and optimized profiles show up at the top. Without one, you are handing out your customers to your competitors on a silver platter.

The numbers don't lie—businesses with Google profiles get 7x more visits than those without them. And these aren't just random visitors—they're people actively searching for exactly what you offer.

Plus, it's completely free marketing. What other platform lets you showcase your business to your targeted local customers without spending a dime on ads?

Statistics of Businesses Using Successful Google Business Profiles

The impact of Google Business Profiles on local businesses is mind-blowing! Find out how:

• Businesses with verified profiles are 70% more likely to attract location visits
• Complete profiles get 7x more clicks than incomplete ones
• 80% of consumers use Google to find local businesses at least once a week
• "Near me" searches have grown by 900% in recent years
• 40% of people who search for a business nearby visit within 24 hours
• Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions
• 60% higher click-through rate on mobile for businesses that have a GBP

A study by BrightLocal found that 49% of businesses receive more than 1,000 views on Google per month, all without paying a cent for that level of exposure.

So, what does this mean for you? If you're running a local business without a Google Business Profile in 2025, you're leaving the money on the table for others to grab. It's that plain and simple.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create and Set Up Your Google Business Profile

Ready to create a Google Business Profile? Follow these 6 simple steps to create and set up your Google Business Profile:

Step 1: Sign In with a Google Account

Go to Google Business Manager.
Click “Manage Now” and log in with your business email (preferably a Gmail account used by your brand).

Tip:
Avoid using a personal email. Keep your business and personal emails separate.

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

Write your business name. It should be the exact name that is used in signage, invoices, etc.

✅ Do:

• “Dr. Roy’s Dental Care”
• “Elegant Home Services Kolkata”

❌ Don’t:

• “Best Dental Clinic in Salt Lake – Dr Roy” (keyword stuffing = risk of suspension)

Step 3: Choose the Right Business Category

Select the right business categories that are relevant to your local business.

Examples:

• Restaurant
• Digital Marketing Agency
• Pest Control Service
• Boutique Hotel

Tip:
Be specific. “Orthopedic Clinic” is better than just “Doctor”.

You can also add secondary categories later.

Step 4: Add Your Business Location or Service Areas

Google will now ask:

• Do you have a physical location customers can visit?
• If YES: Add your full address. Place the pin correctly on Google Maps.
• If NO: Choose “I deliver goods and services to customers” and select the service areas.

Example for service areas:
Kolkata, Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat

Note:
Don’t use fake addresses. Google may suspend your listing.

Step 5: Add Contact Details and Link to Website

Enter your:

• Phone number
• Website (if you have one, this is optional)
• WhatsApp number (if applicable)

Don’t have a website?
You can create a free basic site via GBP, but it’s always better to own a domain for your business.

Step 6: Verify Your Business

Google will now verify the information you provided for your GBP.

Verification methods:

• Postcard by mail (takes 7–14 days)
• Phone/SMS 
• Email 
• Video recording or live video call

Tip from FavFly:
Record a quick video of:

• Your storefront with signage
• The interior of your office or shop
• Business documents with name and address

This speeds up the video verification process.

Now That You're Verified… It's Time to Optimize Your Google Business Profile!

Setting up is step one of the process. If you want to rank higher on Google and Maps, then you need to add more information until it's 100% complete.

1. Add Business Hours and Attributes Relevant to Your Industry

Make sure the working hours mentioned are accurate. Don't forget to mention the business hours during holidays.

Google gives you industry-specific attributes to help you stand out from other businesses. Make sure to use them all!

For restaurants:

• Dietary options (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)
• Atmosphere (casual, family-friendly)
• Offerings (outdoor seating, delivery, takeout)

For retail:

• Shopping options (in-store shopping, curbside pickup)
• Special services (free alterations, gift wrapping)
• Payment methods accepted

For service businesses:

• Accessibility features
• Languages spoken
• Appointment requirements

These attributes show up as icons in search results, making it instantly clear to customers what services and products your business is offering. They're also used as filters for search results, so when someone specifically looks for "wheelchair accessible restaurants near me," you'll show up to customers if you've added that attribute to your GBP.

Update these regularly as new changes come up in your business. Added delivery during the pandemic? Make sure that's reflected in your attributes.

2. Upload High-Quality Photos

Your Google Business Profile needs to showcase high-quality photos to capture the attention of customers. Think about this: when you're scrolling through business listings, what makes you stop and click? High-quality and professional images make a huge difference!

Upload at least 5-10 high-quality photos showing different aspects of your business:

• Your storefront (from different angles)
• Interior spaces
• Team members in action
• Products or services
• Happy customers (with their permission)

For photos, stick to these specs:

• JPG or PNG format
• At least 720 x 720 pixels
• Well-lit images with no blur
• No heavy filters or text overlays

Videos are the most useful for driving more engagement. Create short clips (30 seconds or less) where you show your staff working, customer testimonials, or product demonstrations. These leave a positive impression on customers and are much more useful than just text-based descriptions.

Pro tip: Upload new visual content every now and then. Nothing says "neglected business" more than Christmas decorations in your store's photos when it's July.

Photos and videos = more engagement = better rankings.

3. Write a Killer Business Description

Keep it concise yet powerful. Google gives you 750 characters to describe your business, so make every one of them count:

• Start with what makes you unique
• What you do
• Locations you serve
• Primary keywords
• Include your mission statement or core values
• Mention specific benefits (not just features)
• Add a clear call to action

Avoid generic phrases like "best in town" or "high-quality service." Instead, be more specific: "Family-owned for 25 years, specializing in gluten-free pastries made with local ingredients."

Your business description isn't just some boring field that you are required to fill out, it's your chance to tell potential customers why they should choose you over competitors.

Write the business description in your brand's tone or voice. If your business's brand tone is fun and casual, your business description should be fun and casual too. If your brand's voice is more formal and professional, make sure to reflect that within the description; however, don't let it be too boring.

Example:
"Favfly is a results-driven digital marketing company in Kolkata offering SEO, Meta Ads, and Google Business Profile optimization. We help local businesses grow online and get more leads from Maps and search."

4. Create Your First GBP Post

Google Business Profile posts are like mini social media updates. You can share:

• Offers
• Events
• Announcements
• Tips or blog links

Frequency: Post at least once a week

5. Ask Customers to Leave a Review

Ask happy customers to leave a review on your GBP. Make sure to respond to every review, even if it's negative.

Pro Tip:
Use a direct link:
https://g.page/[your-business-name]/review

More reviews = more credibility = higher ranking

 6. Add Products or Services

This is where you convert potential customers into confirmed ones. Be thorough and specific about what you offer.

For service-based businesses:

• List each service category and mention specific services offered
• Include pricing when possible (or price ranges)
• Mention service areas or whether you offer virtual services
• Highlight specializations or certifications

For product-based businesses:

• Assign products under specific categories
• Include high-quality images of products
• Mention the accurate price of products
• Mention availability (in-stock, pre-order, seasonal)

Don't just dump information, tell the story behind your offerings. Why did you start offering this service? What problem does your product solve?

Remember: Listings that are 100% complete get 7x more clicks than ones that are incomplete. Don't skip this step.

Read Also: Google Business Profile Common Mistakes to Avoid

7. Updating Business Information Whenever Any Change Occurs

Update these immediately:

• Holiday hours
• Temporary closures
• Service changes
• Relocated or new locations
• Phone number or website changes

Google rewards businesses that regularly update their profiles. Up-to-date and accurate information signals to Google that your business is active and relevant.

8. Using Insights to Track Performance

The Insights tab is your secret weapon to success. It shows data and insights on how customers find your business and how they interact with your business listing.

Pay attention to:

• Search queries (how people find you)
• Photo views (which images attract more attention)
• Customer actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks)

Compare every month's data to spot patterns and trends. Notice more calls on Tuesdays? Maybe that's when you should have additional staff to handle your calls from customers.

What's more, your competitors can't see this data. This is crucial data that allows you to understand the behavior of local customers. Make sure to check the insights every week to adjust your strategy accordingly.

9. Setting Up Messaging Features for Direct Communication with Customers

Receiving messages directly from customers can turn out to be a huge advantage for your business. Google Business Profile offers a messaging feature that lets potential customers directly text you with questions.

To set this up:

1. Log in to your Google Business Profile
2. Click on "Messages" in the left menu
3. Turn on messaging and download the Google Business Profile app
4. Set up auto-replies for when you're busy

The real magic happens when you respond to the messages immediately. Most customers expect answers within an hour. Fast responses = happy customers = more sales. It's simple math.

You can also create an FAQ-style automated response for common questions like "What are your business hours?" or "Do you deliver products?". This will save you a lot of time and also keep the customers happy.

10. Creating Booking Links and Options for Scheduling Appointments

Why not let customers book online directly through your GBP? If you're running a salon, restaurant, or any service-based business, this feature can turn out to be a lifesaver.

To set up the booking feature:

1. Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard
2. Select "Bookings" from the menu
3. Choose from Google's booking partners or add your own scheduling URL
4. Complete the integration process

The system syncs with your calendar, so no more space for double-bookings or headaches from manual scheduling. Customers can book an appointment at any time of the day, even when you're asleep at night. If you're struggling to integrate the appointment system in your GBP, then you can reach out to the top service provider of SEO Services in Kolkata for professional support.

Pro tip: Add a special offer for first-time online bookings to encourage people to use this feature. A small discount goes a long way in building customer loyalty.

11. Using Google Business Profile for Multiple Locations

Running a business at multiple locations? No problem. Google's got you covered. You have the option to showcase multiple storefronts at different locations.

Here's how to manage multiple locations effectively:

1. Create a location group in Google Business Profile Manager
2. Add all your locations to this group
3. Assign managers to specific locations if needed
4. Edit and update information regularly

You can update the hours, respond to reviews, and post updates for every location of your business from a single listing. This saves you from doing hours of manual edits and updates for every location whenever there is any changes that need to be made.

Every business location has a separate phone number and address. Google always wants to make sure customers get accurate information from your business's GBP, so always make sure to keep the information up-to-date.

12. Integrating with Google Ads for Enhanced Visibility

Want your business to show up exactly when people are searching for what you offer? Then connecting your Google Business Profile with Google Ads is exactly what you need.

The process to integrate your GBP with Google Ads is straightforward:

1. Link your Google Ads account to your Business Profile
2. Create location extensions in Google Ads
3. Set up local campaigns that are targeted to your service areas
4. Use call extensions to receive more phone calls

When you integrate Google Ads with your GBP, your ads will show your business hours, location, and even directions to your store, right within the ad itself. This means higher quality clicks and better ROI.

This can help you get greater returns on investment for your business due to more convenience for customers. Moreover, you will be able to see which ads are driving more conversions, leading to more store visits, calls, and website clicks. Use these insights to find out what's working for your business and what's not.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keyword stuffing in the business name
• Using a fake address
• Creating multiple listings for the same business
• Neglecting both negative and positive reviews
• Not posting new updates or offers regularly

Remember, Google wants to rank businesses that are authentic and trustworthy. Treat your GBP like your digital representative.

Read More: How to Show My Business in Google Maps or Google Business Profile

Let’s Get You On Google – The Right Way!

Whether you’re a small salon in Behala or a multi-city real estate brand, it all starts with being visible on Google.

Don’t just exist. Be discovered by the right customers.

Creating and setting up a Google My Business profile is essential for any business looking to enhance its online presence and connect with local customers. From understanding the benefits of this platform to implementing advanced strategies, a well-optimized Google Business Profile can significantly impact your visibility, credibility, and overall customer engagement.

Take the time to not just create your profile but also to maintain it regularly by updating information when there are any changes, uploading recent high-quality images of your business, and professionally responding to reviews.

Remember that your Google Business Profile is often the first impression that your potential customers have of your business. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can establish a GBP that doesn't just exist but drives more foot traffic, increases website visits, and ultimately helps your business grow in today's competitive marketplace.