How to Put Your Business on Google Maps for Free

How to list your business on Google Maps free - Google Business Profile

How do you get your business on Google Maps?

You create a free Google Business Profile. Once verified, customers can find your shop name, photos, hours and phone number on Google Search and Maps, and can read and leave reviews.

Google's own help page is clear on one point: customers can only find your Business Profile on Google after you complete verification. So the job has two parts - create the profile, then verify it. This guide walks through both, plus the small mistakes that delay most shop owners.

Before you start: keep these ready

  • A Google account you will keep using (a Gmail address is fine). Google's help suggests a business email address if you are creating a new account.
  • Your business name exactly as it appears on your board, bill book and visiting card.
  • Full address with landmark and pincode - or the list of areas you serve if customers don't visit you.
  • A phone number you can actually answer or receive SMS on. Google notes that IVR (automated call) systems won't get the verification code.
  • Your website or Instagram/WhatsApp page link, if you have one (optional).
  • A few clear photos of your shop front, inside and products for after verification.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Search for Google Business Profile and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Enter your exact business name - the same one on your shop board.
  3. Choose the right category (for example, "Mobile phone shop" or "Coaching centre"). The category decides which searches you appear in.
  4. Add your address, or a service area if you work from home - you can hide your home address.
  5. Add a phone number and website (you can add a website later).
  6. Complete verification - Google verifies by postcard, phone or video. Your listing does not go live before this.

A few details from Google's sign-up help page (as of Oct 2026):

  • While typing your name, Google may suggest an existing listing. If it says someone else has already verified the business, use the request ownership option instead of creating a second profile.
  • When asked whether you have a location customers can visit, choose Yes for a shop that is staffed during business hours, or No if you go to customers. With No, you enter service areas by city or postal code - up to 20 of them.
  • At the end you can choose Verify now or Verify later. Google recommends reviewing your details before you request verification.

Which verification method will you get?

You don't pick the method - Google's verification help page says the options are decided automatically, based on your business type, public info, region and hours. Some businesses need more than one method. The options described there (as of Oct 2026):

MethodWhat happens
Phone or SMSA code by call or text to your business number
EmailFollow the steps in the email Google sends
Live video callShow your location, products and proof you run the business, during business hours
Video recordingRecord a video of your business; Google recommends this if you are eligible
PostcardA 5-digit code by post - most codes arrive within 14 days and expire after 30 days

After you finish the steps, Google reviews the information. Its help page says reviews can take up to 5 business days, occasionally longer, and you get a confirmation email once verified.

Common mistakes that delay your listing

  • Adding keywords to the name. "Sharma Mobile - Best Repair Cheap Price" is against Google's profile guidelines, which say the name should match your real-world name, and extra information can lead to suspension.
  • Editing while waiting for the postcard. Google warns not to change your business name, address or category while the code is on its way - the code will stop working.
  • Requesting a new code again and again. Each new request cancels the code already in the post.
  • Making two profiles. Google allows one profile per business; duplicates can cause problems.
  • Too many categories. The guidelines say to choose the fewest categories that describe your core business.

Running a business from home?

If customers don't come to your address, Google says you must hide it. You can do that during setup by choosing that you don't have a location customers visit. If your profile already shows your address, go to your Business Profile and open Edit profile > Location (from Google Search) or Edit profile > Business information > Location (from Google Maps), then turn off Show business address to customers. Menu names can vary slightly by app version.

What should you do after the listing is live?

  • Keep photos and opening hours updated.
  • Reply to every review - it builds trust with new customers.
  • Post updates about offers and new products.

For the next steps, see our Google Business photos checklist for small shops and how to reply to Google reviews.

Hinglish version: Google Maps par apni dukan kaise dikhaye. Want professional help with a website, your Google listing or digital marketing? Contact Pooja Digitech on WhatsApp - scope and pricing are agreed before work starts.

FAQs

Is a Google Business Profile free? Yes - creating and maintaining the listing costs nothing. Google's own Business Profile page calls it a free Business Profile (as of Oct 2026).

How long does verification take? It depends on the method Google offers you - follow the instructions shown. As of Oct 2026, Google's help page says most postcard codes arrive within 14 days, and the review after you complete verification can take up to 5 business days.

Can a home business be listed? Yes, as a service-area business with the address hidden.

My shop already shows on Maps, but I didn't create it. What now? Search for it while signed in and claim it. If someone else has already verified it, Google shows an option to request ownership.

Can I change details after verification? Yes, you can edit hours, photos and contact details. Bigger changes such as name or address may be reviewed again, and Google may ask you to re-verify.

Sources

Last verified: October 30, 2026.

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