Claiming your Google Business Profile is just the beginning. To make your profile work for you — and rank higher in local search — it’s essential to complete every section with accurate, up-to-date details. In this next step, we’ll walk through how to fully build out your profile so it reflects the true value of your business.
Fully Complete Your Google Business Profile
Once your Google Business Profile is set up and verified, the next step is to add every bit of business information available to you. Google gives you many fields to work with — and the more complete your profile, the more trustworthy and relevant your business appears to searchers and the Google algorithm.
📝 Where to Edit Your Information
To edit your profile details, log into your Google Business Profile Manager, click on "Edit Profile" in the top left, and choose the section you want to update. This includes:
- About
- Contact
- Location
- Hours
- More
Let’s go through each field with best practices to make your listing stand out.
🏷️ Business Name
Use the exact name of your business — the one printed on your storefront, invoices, and marketing materials. This helps with branding and keeps your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistent across the web.
Avoid keyword stuffing! Don’t add extra city names or services unless they are part of your legal business name. Google may penalize profiles for trying to manipulate rankings with spammy names.
Example: If your business is called “Smith & Sons Plumbing,” don’t change it to “Plumber in Seattle - Smith & Sons Plumbing.”
📂 Business Category (Primary and Additional)
Your Primary Category has a huge influence on how and when your profile appears in local search. It tells Google exactly what kind of business you are — for example, “Bakery,” “Real Estate Agent,” or “Yoga Studio.” Choose this carefully, as it sets the main context for your entire Google Business Profile (GBP).
Additional Categories let you expand on the services or specialties you offer. You can add up to 9 additional categories, but it’s best practice to keep the total number of categories — including your primary — to a maximum of 5 or fewer. Why? Having too many dilutes the authority of your primary category and can confuse Google about what your business truly does, potentially lowering your rankings or showing your profile for less relevant searches.
👉 Hack: Use GTrack to identify your own primary category, monitor additional categories, and discover which categories your top-ranking competitors use effectively. This insight helps you select the best categories to improve your visibility without diluting your profile’s authority.
How to find your competitors’ categories with GTrack:
Create a 13x13 scan in GTrack using a powerful keyword closely related to your business (e.g., "wedding cakes" or "Cake Shop" if you own a bakery).
Once the scan completes, open it and go to the Scan Analysis tab.
Scroll down to the Category Analysis section — here you’ll see a breakdown of categories used by all your local competitors, including:
The number of competitors per category
Average ranking and rating
Market share
Top competitors within each category
This analysis shows exactly how your competitors rank across different categories, giving you a clear picture of which additional categories might strengthen your profile.
Here’s an example screenshot of the Category Analysis section you’ll find in GTrack:
Regularly reviewing your category choices and aligning them with successful competitors helps you stay ahead in local search.
Another useful tool is the Google™ Review QR Code Generator with FREE QR Code Templates which can also reveal your competitors’ categories and inspire ideas for your own GBP. Regularly review your category list — Google adds new categories every year, and refreshing your selections can keep your profile aligned with current search trends.
📝 Business Description
Use the 750-character description to briefly explain what your business does, what makes you unique, and what customers can expect. This section does not impact rankings, but it helps users decide whether to contact you.
Do:
- Write clearly and professionally
- Explain your core services or values
- Add a friendly, human tone
Don’t:
- Use all caps or emojis excessively
- Insert links or keywords unnaturally
- Repeat your business name or location too much
📅 Opening Date
Share the month and year your business opened. This helps Google verify your business age and can display trust-building text like “10 years in business” on your profile.
If you operate multiple locations, use the date relevant to that specific branch.
📞 Phone Numbers
Add your main business line and, if available, secondary or toll-free numbers. If you're using a call tracking number, list it as your primary and move your original line to secondary.
💬 Chat
If you use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to communicate with customers, you can add a direct chat link to your profile. This makes it easier for users to contact you instantly.
Example: A WhatsApp chat link might look like this:
https://wa.me/353851782117
This chat feature is especially useful for service-based businesses or those offering quick quotes or consultations.
🌐 Website
Link your GBP to the most relevant page of your website:
- 1–3 locations: Use your homepage
- 4+ locations: Use a location-specific landing page
Add tracking parameters like:
https://yourdomain.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=google_business_profile
⚠️ Important: Be cautious when changing your business name, phone, address, or website URL. These can trigger re-verification or even suspension if done incorrectly.
🔗 Social Profiles
Google allows businesses to add social media links directly to their Business Profile under the “Contact” section. You can include links to platforms such as:
- TikTok
- X (formerly Twitter)
This helps improve brand visibility and makes it easier for customers to explore your content across platforms.
🏢 Location and Service Areas
📍 Physical Location Businesses
If people visit your business in person, display your address. Add suite numbers on the second line (e.g., “Suite #300”). Google ignores suites for ranking, but your customers will appreciate the clarity.
🚚 Service Area Businesses
If you don’t have a storefront but deliver or offer services offsite, use the service area option. You can list:
- Cities
- Regions
- Zip or postal codes
You can add up to 20 service areas — just make sure they’re within 2 hours of your main location.
🏢 Hybrid Businesses
If you see customers at your address and also travel to them, you’re a hybrid. Show your address, choose specific hours, and define your service area.
🕒 Hours & More Hours
Keep your business hours updated. Use the “Special Hours” feature for holidays, events, or temporary changes.
If your business operates at odd or changing times (e.g., appointment-only), leave regular hours blank or explain via posts.
“More Hours” lets you add hours for:
- Pickup or delivery
- Drive-thru
- Online services
This is only available if regular hours are already set.
🧾 Attributes
Attributes give users more context: Do you accept Apple Pay? Are you wheelchair accessible? Do you have gender-neutral restrooms?
These details can impact your appeal and trust, especially for certain demographics. Update attributes in the "More" section of your profile editor.
🚀 Summary
Completing your Google Business Profile isn't just about visibility — it’s about building trust. A fully filled-out profile sends the right signals to Google and makes a positive impression on customers who are ready to take action.
Set aside time to review each section, add what’s missing, and keep your details accurate and up to date. The effort pays off in rankings, clicks, and real-world results.
FAQ: Fully Completing Your Google Business Profile
1. Why is it important to complete every section of my Google Business Profile?
A complete profile improves your visibility in local search, builds trust with customers, and helps Google show your business in more relevant results. It also unlocks features like messaging, posts, and reviews.
2. What should I avoid when entering my business name?
Use your exact legal business name. Avoid adding keywords, city names, or services unless they’re part of your registered name — keyword stuffing can lead to penalties or suspension.
3. How do categories affect my Google Business Profile ranking?
Your primary category tells Google what your business does and heavily influences where and when you appear in search. Additional categories help highlight extra services, so choose them wisely and update as needed.
4. Does the business description impact SEO rankings?
No, the description doesn’t directly affect SEO rankings. However, a clear, well-written description helps customers understand your business, which can increase engagement and conversions.
5. What happens if I change my name, phone, or website on Google Business Profile?
Changing core information like your business name, address, or website can trigger re-verification or lead to temporary suspension. Always double-check changes and follow Google’s guidelines.
6. Can I list both a physical address and service areas?
Yes. If you see customers at your location and also travel to them, your business is a hybrid. In this case, show your address, set your business hours, and add up to 20 service areas within a 2-hour radius.
