This is a one-time setup. Done well, it pays you back for years.
Go to google.com/business (or business.google.com — same place).
Sign in with a Google account. Use a real business Gmail if you have one. Not the personal account you've had since 2008 with the email address you regret.
Search for your business. Type the name and address. If Google already has a listing (likely), you'll see "Claim this business." If not, click "Add your business to Google."
Enter your business info. Name, category, address (or service area), phone, website, hours. Fill in everything Google asks for. Skipping fields hurts your ranking.
Pick your verification method. Google will offer one or more of these:
Postcard — A code mailed to your business address. 5–14 days.
Phone — Instant code via call or text (only for some businesses).
Email — Code sent to a verified business domain email.
Video upload — Record a short video showing your storefront, equipment, or proof of business. This is becoming the default for service businesses.
Live video call — A Google rep verifies you on a live call.
Enter the code. Once Google sends it, log back in, paste it in, and you're verified. Your profile goes live within minutes.
A claimed and verified Google Business Profile isn't just a digital business card. It's the single biggest free local marketing asset you have.
What you actually get when you claim it
Control over your info. Hours, address, phone, website — only you can change them once verified.
Ability to respond to reviews. This alone is huge. Unanswered reviews hurt you more than bad reviews.
Posts and updates. Promote listings, events, offers, and news directly in your profile.
Photos and video. Profiles with 10+ photos get significantly more clicks.
Insights data. See how many people found you, what they searched, where they clicked, and how many called.
Eligibility for Google Local Service Ads (LSAs). You can't run LSAs without a claimed profile.
Why your business category matters more than you think
The category you pick is one of the top three ranking factors in local search. Pick wrong, and you're invisible. Pick right, and you start showing up in the map pack.
Pick the most specific primary category that matches what you do.
Add secondary categories for related services (you can add up to 9 more).
Don't keyword-stuff your business name; that's against Google's rules and gets profiles suspended fast.
Fill out everything — even the boring stuff
Most business owners stop at name, address, and phone. That's leaving money on the table.
Add services and products
Add attributes (wheelchair accessible, women-owned, family-friendly, etc.)
Set up messaging if you'll actually answer it
Add Q&A by seeding your own common questions
Upload at least 10 photos at launch and keep adding monthly
The more complete your profile, the higher you rank. Google literally tells you this in their guidelines.
What If Things Go Sideways?
This is where most business owners hit a wall. Here's how to handle the most common issues.
What if my business is already claimed by someone else?
Happens all the time, usually an old employee, a previous owner, or even a former marketing agency. Click "Request access" when you go to claim it. Google will email the current owner. They have 7 days to respond. If they don't, you can usually take ownership.
If they refuse or never respond, you can file a business takeover request with Google support. It takes a few weeks, but it works if you can prove ownership.
What if my verification fails or my profile gets suspended?
Don't panic and don't keep editing the profile. That makes it worse. Common reasons for suspension:
Keyword stuffing your business name
Using a virtual address or PO box
Being in a high-risk category (locksmiths, towing, attorneys, contractors)
Multiple listings at the same address
Submit a reinstatement request through Google's support form with proof of business: a utility bill, a business license, or a signed lease. That's usually enough.
What if I work from home or visit clients (service-area business)?
You can still claim a profile, just hide your address during setup. Google calls these "service area businesses." You list the cities or zip codes you serve instead of a public storefront. Real estate agents, contractors, mobile services, and consultants all qualify.
Claiming your Google Business Profile is the single highest-leverage thing you can do for local visibility. It costs nothing, takes 15 minutes, and pays you back every time someone searches for what you do near where you work.
The next step? Once you're verified, you need to actually optimize the profile categories, photos, services, posts, and reviews. That's a whole separate game, and it's where most business owners drop the ball.
If you want help getting any of this set up, just hit reply or submit a question on AskAuggie and I'll point you in the right direction.
All The Best To Your Success.
Let’s cut to the chase. This newsletter is designed to make your life easier, your marketing more effective, and your business more profitable. I’m not just giving you tips from a distance. I’m living it—as a realtor, marketing expert, and consultant. I feel your pain because I’ve been in your shoes. And now I’m here to help you win.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for Ask8 Strategies, Ask Auggie Smarts, and let’s turn those leads into clients, simplify your marketing, and give your business the boost it deserves. Plus, I promise I’ll keep it fun. No boring corporate stuff—just real talk, real strategies, and maybe even a dad joke or two.
Lastly, you will always see me sign off with the same statement, which is at the core of who I am.
