How to Set Up Google My Business UK Step by Step 2026

Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is the fastest way to get your UK company visible on Google Maps and search results. This guide walks you through every single step you need to take to get your profile live and ranking higher than your competitors.

You’ll need about 20 minutes to complete this setup. It’s completely free. No subscriptions, no hidden charges.

What You Need First

Before you start, gather these items. Having them ready saves time and stops you getting stuck halfway through.

• A Google Account (Gmail works perfectly)
• Your business name exactly as it appears on your official documents
• Your full business address in the UK
• Your phone number (a real one customers can call)
• Your website URL (if you have one)
• At least 5 high quality photos of your business, products, or services
• Your business hours for each day of the week
• Your business category (what you actually do)

The address you register must match your official business registration. Google checks this during verification.

Step 1: Sign Into Google and Find Google Business Profile

Go to google.com/business in any web browser. Click the blue button that says Start Now or Create Account.

You’ll be asked to sign into your Google Account. Use an existing Gmail address or create a new one. Google recommends using a business email if you have one, but it isn’t required.

Once you’re signed in, you’ll land on the main dashboard. This is where you’ll manage everything from now on.

Step 2: Add Your Business Name

Click the Create Account button and type your business name exactly as it appears on your official paperwork. Don’t add keywords like “best” or “top” here. Google doesn’t like that and it can get your profile suspended.

If your business operates under multiple names, you can add them later as additional names. For now, stick with your primary legal name.

The system might suggest that your business already exists. Check carefully before claiming an existing listing. If it’s genuinely your business, claim it instead of creating a duplicate.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Category

This is important. Pick the category that best describes what you actually do. Google offers hundreds of categories, and you can pick up to 10.

Your main category should be your primary service. If you run a plumbing company, choose “Plumber” not “Home Services.” If you’re a dentist, choose “Dentist” not “Healthcare Provider.”

The more specific you are here, the better you’ll rank for local searches. This step directly affects whether customers find you or your competitors.

Step 4: Enter Your Business Address

Type your full UK address into the address field. Include your postcode. This must be your actual business location, not a P.O. Box.

If you’re a service business that travels to customers (like a plumber or electrician), tick the Service Area box instead. You can then enter the postcodes or areas you cover without showing your home address publicly.

Google will validate your address. If it doesn’t match the postcode exactly, the system will flag it. Get this right first time or you’ll face delays during verification.

Step 5: Add Your Business Phone Number

Enter the phone number customers should actually call. Don’t use an extension or make-up a number. Google will call to verify your business.

If you only have a mobile number, that’s fine. Just make sure you answer it when Google calls during the verification process.

You can add multiple phone numbers later if needed, but start with the most important one.

Step 6: Add Your Website URL (If You Have One)

Enter your website address if your business has one. Include the https:// part. If you don’t have a website yet, leave this blank and add it later.

The website must actually exist and be live. Google will check it. Your website and Google Business Profile should show the same contact details and business name.

If your website address and Google profile information don’t match, customers get confused and Google penalizes you.

Step 7: Verify Your Business Ownership

This is the critical step that proves the profile actually belongs to you. Google offers three verification methods in the UK.

Method 1: Postcard Verification (Most Common) Google mails a postcard to your business address with a verification code. It takes 1 to 2 weeks. When it arrives, sign into your Google Business Profile and enter the code. This is the most reliable method for UK businesses.

Method 2: Phone Verification Google calls your business number immediately. You answer and confirm a code. This is instant but only works if someone’s there to answer the phone during business hours.

Method 3: Email Verification Google sends a verification link to your business email. This is rare and only available for certain business types.

For most UK businesses, wait for the postcard. It’s worth the 2 week wait because it’s almost guaranteed to work.

Step 8: Fill Out All Your Business Information

Once verification starts, open your Google Business Profile and complete every single field. Google shows this information to customers, and incomplete profiles rank lower.

Click the Edit Profile button and fill in:

• Business description (write 2 to 3 sentences about what you do)
• Opening hours (for each day of the week)
• Attributes (wheelchair access, parking, outdoor seating, etc.)
• Languages you speak
• Payment methods you accept

The business description should tell customers what you do and why they should choose you. Don’t keyword stuff. Write naturally.

Step 9: Add Photos to Your Google Business Profile

Click the Photos section and add at least 5 high quality images. This is one of the biggest ranking factors Google uses for local search.

Include photos of:

• Your storefront or office exterior
• Your interior space
• Your team members
• Your products or services
• Your work in action

Photos must be at least 10MB and in JPG or PNG format. Avoid blurry photos, watermarks, and logos. Google will reject them.

Businesses with 10 or more photos rank significantly higher than those with 2 or 3. Keep adding photos every week if you can.

Step 10: Add and Request Customer Reviews

Go to the Reviews section and click Share Your Profile. Google gives you a link you can send to customers asking them to review your business.

Email this link to your best customers. Call customers and ask them to leave a review. Add it to your invoices and receipts.

Reviews are absolutely critical. Businesses with 30 or more 4 to 5 star reviews rank higher than those with 5 reviews. This is the biggest factor after location relevance.

Never buy fake reviews. Google catches this and suspends profiles. Ask your real customers instead.

Step 11: Add Business Attributes and Special Features

Scroll down to the Attributes section. Select everything that applies to your business. Things like:

• Free parking
• Wheelchair accessible
• Women-owned business
• Accepts online orders
• Has outdoor seating

These help Google show your profile to the right customers. If you’re wheelchair accessible and a disabled customer searches for accessible restaurants, Google will show you first.

Step 12: Connect Your Website (Important)

In the Website section, make sure your website URL is correct. Google checks that your site and your profile match.

If your website is on a platform like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, add your actual website URL, not your login page.

Make sure your website also has your address, phone number, and business hours visible. This consistency helps with ranking.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Rankings

Mistake 1: Using Keywords in Your Business Name

Don’t register as “Best London Plumbers” or “Top Rated Dentist Brighton.” Google’s rules are clear. Your business name field is for your actual legal business name only.

If you do this, Google will either change it or suspend your profile entirely. You’ve been warned.

Mistake 2: Inconsistent Information Across the Web

Your Google Business Profile, website, and social media must all show the same business name, address, and phone number. Differences confuse Google’s algorithm.

Google checks this. If your website says you’re in Manchester but your profile says Salford, Google will penalize you.

Mistake 3: Uploading Low Quality or Stock Photos

Blurry photos, photos with watermarks, and generic stock photos hurt your rankings. Google wants real photos of real businesses.

Use your phone camera. Real photos beat professional stock images.

Mistake 4: Not Verifying Your Profile

Your profile won’t rank properly until it’s verified. Many people set up a profile and then ignore it for months. The postcard sits in their mailbox.

Check your mailbox daily during the 2 week window. Verify immediately when the code arrives.

Mistake 5: Lying About Your Address or Hours

Google checks that you actually operate from your registered address. If customers show up and you’re not there, they report it and your profile gets suspended.

Be honest about your hours too. If you claim to be open but customers call and get no answer, you’ll get bad reviews and lose trust.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Reviews

Don’t ignore customer reviews, even bad ones. Reply to every review within 24 hours. Thank people for positive reviews and offer to fix issues for negative ones.

Businesses that engage with reviews rank higher and get more customers.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: Google Says My Business Already Exists

Google’s system detected a listing that might be your business. Before creating a duplicate, click Claim This Business.

You’ll be asked to verify your ownership. Choose the postcard option and wait for it to arrive. Once verified, that listing becomes yours.

Having two profiles for the same business confuses Google and harms both. Always claim an existing listing if it’s yours.

Problem: Verification Postcard Never Arrived

It happens. Royal Mail isn’t perfect. Wait the full 14 days before taking action.

If it doesn’t arrive, sign into your Google Business Profile and click Request Another Code. Google will send a new postcard, but you’ll have to wait another 2 weeks.

Alternatively, see if phone verification is available for your business type. It’s instant.

Problem: I Can’t Find the Business Category I Need

Google offers hundreds of categories. Start typing your business type and see what appears. If nothing matches exactly, pick the closest option.

You can always add secondary categories later. Click Add More Categories after your main one is set.

Problem: My Photos Keep Getting Rejected

Google rejects photos that are blurry, have watermarks, are logos, or are just text. Make sure your photos are clear, well lit, and actually show your business.

If a photo is rejected, try uploading a different image of the same thing. Sometimes it’s just a system glitch.

Problem: My Profile Got Suspended

This usually happens because of incorrect information, keyword stuffing in the name, or multiple profiles for the same business.

Sign into Google Business Profile and click Help. Request manual review and explain why your profile should be reinstated. Be honest and specific.

Questions People Ask

Q: Does Google My Business cost anything?

No. It’s completely free. Google makes money from ads, not from your business profile. There are no hidden fees, no premium plans, nothing.

The only cost is your time to set it up properly, which takes about 20 minutes.

Q: How long does it take to see results after setting up my profile?

Your profile goes live instantly once created. However, it takes 2 to 4 weeks to fully verify and appear in Google Maps and search results.

After verification, you’ll start appearing in local search results immediately. Getting to page 1 for competitive keywords takes 2 to 3 months. Building reviews helps this happen faster.

Q: Can I have more than one Google Business Profile?

Only if you genuinely operate multiple locations. If you have one office, one profile is correct. If you have 10 locations, you get 10 profiles.

Google catches businesses with multiple fake profiles for one location and suspends all of them. Don’t do it.

Q: What should I do if I move to a new address?

Sign into your Google Business Profile and click Edit Profile. Change your address and save.

You’ll need to re-verify with your new address. Google will send a new postcard to your new location. This process takes another 2 weeks.

Don’t delete your old profile. Update it instead. Deleting loses all your reviews and ranking history.

Conclusion

Setting up Google My Business correctly is the single fastest way to get your UK business found on Google. It costs nothing and takes 20 minutes.

The steps are simple: fill out your information completely, verify your business, add photos and reviews, and keep it updated.

Most businesses do this wrong or skip it entirely. If you follow this guide exactly, you’ll be ahead of 80 percent of your local competition.

Start today. By this time next month, you’ll be ranking higher and getting more customers from Google.