How to Get Your Business on Google Maps (Step-by-Step Guide)
If someone in Brisbane or Toowoomba searches "plumber near me" or "café open now", Google Maps is almost certainly the first thing they see. Not your website. Not your socials. Google Maps. And if your business isn't on it, you're invisible to those potential customers — even if you've been operating for years.
The good news: getting listed on Google Maps is completely free, and it only takes about 20 minutes to set up. This guide walks you through every step.
Google Maps is one of the most powerful free tools available to Australian small businesses. Most business owners just haven't claimed their listing yet.
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business) is the free tool that controls how your business appears on Google Maps and in Google Search results. When you search for a local business and see the card on the right side of the screen — with the address, phone number, opening hours, and reviews — that's Google Business Profile in action.
Setting it up correctly means you show up when locals search for what you offer. Not having it means your competitor — who did set it up — gets the call instead of you.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Google Business Profile
Go to business.google.com
Open your browser and head to business.google.com. Sign in with your Google account — or create one if you don't have one. Use an email address you check regularly, ideally one associated with your business.
Enter Your Business Name
Type in your business name exactly as you want it to appear publicly. If Google suggests an existing listing that matches your business, it may have been auto-created — click "Claim this business" rather than creating a duplicate. Duplicate listings cause confusion and dilute your reviews.
Choose Your Business Category
This is important. Your category tells Google what type of business you are and determines which searches you show up in. Be as specific as possible — "Plumber" is better than "Contractor", and "Italian Restaurant" is better than "Restaurant". You can add secondary categories later (e.g., a café that also does catering might add "Catering Food and Drink Supplier").
Add Your Location or Service Area
Google will ask whether customers visit your location, or whether you go to them (or both). If you have a physical shopfront or office, add your street address. If you're a tradie or mobile service (e.g., a mobile mechanic, cleaner, or lawn mowing service), you don't need a physical address — just enter the suburbs or regions you serve. You can list multiple service areas.
Add Your Phone Number and Website
Enter your business phone number — this is what customers will tap to call you directly from Maps. Add your website URL too. If you don't have a website yet, leave it blank for now, but know that having one significantly improves your ranking in local search results.
Verify Your Business
Google needs to confirm your business is real. There are a few verification options depending on your business type:
- Postcard by mail — Google sends a postcard with a PIN to your business address (takes 5–14 days in Australia)
- Phone call — Automated call with a verification code (instant, available for some businesses)
- Email — Verification code sent to your business email (instant, available for some businesses)
- Video verification — You record a short video of your business location (newer option, usually for physical premises)
The postcard is the most common option. While you wait for it to arrive, you can still fill in your profile — it just won't be visible on Maps until you verify.
Complete Your Full Profile
Once verified, go through every section and fill it in completely. Google rewards complete profiles with higher visibility. Here's what to add:
- Opening hours — Include public holiday hours if relevant
- Photos — Add at least 5–10 photos: your team, your work, your premises, your logo
- Business description — Write 2–3 sentences about what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different. Include your suburb name naturally.
- Services or products — List every service you offer with a brief description and price if applicable
- Attributes — Things like "free Wi-Fi", "wheelchair accessible", "outdoor seating", etc.
Getting Your First Reviews (and Why They Matter)
Reviews are one of the biggest ranking factors on Google Maps. Businesses with more reviews — and higher ratings — consistently outrank competitors. The easiest way to get started is to simply ask your existing customers.
After you complete a job or a sale, send a message like: "Thanks so much for your business! If you have a minute, a Google review would mean the world to us — here's the link: [your Google review link]"
To find your direct review link, go to your Business Profile dashboard, click "Get more reviews", and copy the link. Send it via email or SMS — don't make them search for you.
Aim to get at least 10 reviews in your first few months. Respond to every review, positive or negative. It shows Google — and potential customers — that you're engaged and professional.
Optimisation Tips to Rank Higher
Post Regular Updates
Google Business Profile lets you post updates, offers, and news — similar to social media. Posting once a week signals to Google that your listing is active. Share a recent job, a seasonal promotion, or a helpful tip for your industry.
Answer Questions in the Q&A Section
Anyone can ask questions on your profile, and anyone can answer them. Get ahead of this by adding your own common questions and answers — things like "Do you offer free quotes?" or "Are you available on weekends?"
Keep Your Information Accurate
Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) on Google matches exactly what's on your website. Inconsistencies confuse Google's algorithm and can hurt your local ranking.
Add Your Website URL
Businesses with a website rank significantly higher than those without one. Google treats your website as a trust signal. A professional website with accurate contact details, service pages, and local keywords will push your Maps listing higher in results.
Use the Products and Services Features
Many businesses skip this, but filling in your services with descriptions and keywords directly influences which searches you appear for. If you're a Toowoomba electrician, add services like "switchboard upgrades Toowoomba" and "outdoor lighting installation" — using the suburb naturally in the descriptions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Keyword stuffing your business name — e.g., "Joe's Plumbing | Cheap Plumber Brisbane | 24/7 Emergency" violates Google's guidelines and can get your listing suspended
- Using a PO Box as your address — Google may reject this or mark it as unverifiable
- Setting wrong categories — Always check what your top competitors are using and choose the most accurate match
- Ignoring negative reviews — Always respond calmly and professionally; it matters more than you think
- Not uploading photos — Listings with photos get significantly more clicks and calls
How Long Does It Take to Show Up?
After verification, your listing usually becomes visible on Google Maps within a few days. Ranking well for competitive terms (like "electrician Brisbane") takes longer — typically 3 to 6 months of consistent activity: reviews, posts, and a strong website. Less competitive areas like smaller suburbs or niche services can rank within weeks.
The key is to treat your Google Business Profile like a living thing, not a set-and-forget task. Regular updates, fresh photos, and new reviews all add up over time.
Want us to handle this for you?
We set up and optimise Google Business Profiles for every client — it's included in all our packages. We also make sure your website reinforces your Maps listing so you rank higher, faster.
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