Debut client guide

Set up your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the free listing that puts your business on Google Search and Google Maps.

For a local business it is one of the quickest ways to be found by people nearby who are ready to buy. This guide is written in plain steps you can follow one at a time, even if you have never done anything like this before. It comes in two parts. The basics get you set up and verified. Going further helps you get more out of it once you are up and running. Take it at your own pace.

Why it is worth doing: most people check Google before they call or visit. A complete, verified profile helps you turn up in the local map results, shows your hours, photos and services, and lets customers leave reviews. It works alongside your Debut website, not instead of it.

Basic

The basics: get set up and verified

Set aside about twenty minutes. Have your business details handy: your address or the areas you cover, your phone number, and your website address. After you finish, Google checks that your business is real, which can take a few days, so do not worry if you are not visible straight away. Follow these one at a time.

  1. Get a Google account ready

    You need a Google account, which is the same thing as a Gmail address. If you already have one for your business, use that.

    If you do not have one, open your web browser (Chrome, Safari or Edge), go to accounts.google.com, click Create account, and follow the prompts. Use an email address you will keep for the business, not a personal one you might stop using.

  2. Open the Google Business page

    In your web browser, go to google.com/business. Click the Manage now button near the top of the page. If you are asked to sign in, sign in with the Google account from step 1.

  3. Enter your business name

    Type your business name into the box. As you type, Google may show a list of matches underneath.

    If your business is already in that list, click it to claim it. This is common and completely fine. If it is not there, click the option to add it, which may say Add your business to Google or Create a business with this name, then carry on.

  4. Choose how you serve customers

    Google asks how customers deal with you. Tick the options that fit, for example a shop or premises customers visit, a service you deliver at their place, or online. Then click Next.

  5. Add your address, or the areas you cover

    If customers come to you, type in your street address. If you go to them, like a tradie, cleaner or mobile service, you can leave the address off and instead list the areas you cover, for example Brisbane, Toowoomba and Ipswich. Then click Next.

  6. Choose your main category

    This is the most important step for being found. Start typing what your business does, for example cafe, electrician or hairdresser, and pick the closest match from the list Google shows.

    Choose the one that best describes your main service. You can add more later, so do not overthink it. Then click Next.

  7. Add your phone number and website

    Type in your business phone number and your website address (your Debut website). You need at least one of these, and having both makes it easy for customers to reach you. Then click Next.

  8. Verify that the business is yours

    Google now needs to check the business is real and belongs to you. It chooses the method for you. It might be recording a short video, a phone call or text with a code, an email, or a postcard sent to your address.

    Follow the instructions on the screen. A postcard can take a week or so to arrive, and other methods can take up to five working days to be approved. This wait is normal.

  9. Check that you are live

    Once you are verified, open Google and search your business name. You should see your listing appear, and on Google Maps too. That is the hard part done.

Tip for the video verification: if Google asks you to record a video, have a few things ready before you start: your signage, your premises or work vehicle, something showing your address, and a look inside if you have a shop. Record it in one go, without stopping, and take your time.

Advanced

Going further: get more out of your profile

These are optional extras that help you show up more often and win more enquiries. You do not have to do them all at once, and even a few make a difference. To do any of them, first sign in to Google and search your business name so your listing and its buttons appear.

More categories mean more ways for the right customer to find you.

  1. Click Edit profile, then click Business category.
  2. Your main category is already there. Click Add another category.
  3. Type and pick the other things you do, for example a cafe that also does catering.
  4. Click Save.

This is a short paragraph about your business.

  1. Click Edit profile, then click Description (it may sit under About).
  2. In plain words, write what you do, where you do it, and who you help. Put the most important words first.
  3. You have up to 750 characters.
  4. Click Save.

Profiles with good photos get far more clicks.

  1. On your listing, click Add photos.
  2. Add a logo (a square picture works best) and a cover photo for the top of your profile.
  3. Then add a few real photos of your work, your team, your premises or your products.
  4. Come back and add a few new ones each month, as active profiles do better.

This shows customers exactly what you offer.

  1. Click Edit profile, then click Services.
  2. Add each service you offer, with a short description for each one.
  3. Click Save.

Nothing frustrates a customer more than a closed door when Google said you were open.

  1. Click Edit profile, then click Hours.
  2. Set the times you are open on each day.
  3. For public holidays, look for Special hours (or Holiday hours) and set those too.
  4. Click Save.

Reviews are one of the biggest things that lift your ranking, and replying shows you care.

  1. Search your business name on Google, then click Read reviews.
  2. Open a review and click Reply.
  3. Thank the good ones warmly. Answer any unhappy ones calmly and helpfully.

Updates are short posts, a bit like a mini social feed, that show you are active.

  1. On your listing, click Add update (it may say Add post).
  2. Write a short offer, a piece of news or an event, and add a photo if you have one.
  3. Click Post. Doing this now and then signals an open, active business.

Make sure your business name, address and phone number are written exactly the same on your website, your Google profile, and anywhere else you are listed online. Even small differences can confuse Google. Keeping them identical helps it trust your details and show you more often.

How to ask customers for a review

Reviews are one of the strongest things you can do for both your ranking and your reputation. Most happy customers are glad to leave one; they just need a nudge and an easy link.

Get your review link first

Your review link is the single link you send people. It takes them straight to the review box on your listing, ready to leave a rating, so there is nothing for them to search for.

On a computer: sign in to the Google account that owns your profile, then search your business name on Google. Your listing appears with a row of buttons. Click Ask for reviews. Google shows you your link. Click to copy it.

On your phone: open the Google Maps app, tap your profile photo in the top right, choose Your Business Profile, then tap Ask for reviews (or Get more reviews). Copy the link it shows you.

Save that link somewhere easy to reach, like a note on your phone or a saved draft message, so it is ready whenever you want to send it.

Ask while it is fresh

The best time to ask is right after a good experience: just as you finish a job, deliver an order, or wrap up a happy appointment. A review asked for on the day lands far better than one chased up weeks later.

Ready-to-use messages

Text message

"Hi [name], thanks so much for choosing [business]. If you have a spare minute, a quick Google review would mean a lot and helps other locals find us: [your link]. No pressure at all, and thanks again."

Email

"Hi [name], Thank you for [the job / your order / coming in] this week. It was a pleasure helping you. If you were happy with how it went, would you consider leaving us a quick Google review? It only takes a minute, and it makes a real difference for a small business like ours. Here is the link: [your link]. Thanks so much, [your name], [business]"

In person

"If you were happy with everything today, the best thing you could do for us is leave a quick Google review. I will flick you the link so it is easy. It honestly makes a big difference for us."

A few things to keep in mind: ask everyone, not just the ones you expect to rave, and never offer a discount or gift in exchange, as that is against Google's rules. Reply to every review that comes in: a warm thank you for the good ones, and a calm, helpful reply to any that are not. Keep asking, as a steady trickle of recent reviews beats a big burst once a year.

Keeping it fresh

A profile works best when it looks active. A few minutes each month is plenty. Sign in, search your business name, and:

  • add a couple of new photos
  • post one update such as an offer or a piece of news
  • reply to any new reviews and questions
  • check your hours are right, especially around public holidays.

Common questions

A Google Business Profile is the free listing that puts your business on Google Search and Google Maps. It shows your address or service area, phone number, website, opening hours, photos, and customer reviews. For local businesses it is one of the fastest ways to be found by people nearby who are ready to buy.

Yes. You need a Google account, which is the same as a Gmail address, to create and manage your profile. If you already have one for your business, use that. If not, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.

Verification time depends on the method Google chooses. A phone call or text with a code is usually immediate. Email verification and video review can take up to five working days. A postcard sent to your address typically takes one to two weeks. This wait is normal and your listing will appear once verification is complete.

Yes. If you serve customers at their location, such as a tradie, cleaner, or mobile service, you can list the areas you cover instead of a physical address. Your address stays hidden and only your service area appears on your profile.

Would you rather we handled it?

You can absolutely set up your Google Business Profile yourself with this guide. If you would rather we set it up and optimise it for you, we can do that. Just email the team and we will take it from there.

Email the team