Before you start
- Search for your business on Google Maps first. If a listing already exists, claim it. Making a second one creates a duplicate, which causes problems later.
- Use a Google account you control long-term, ideally a company account, not a personal one a former employee or agency could keep.
- Have your real details ready: business name exactly as registered, the address you operate from, a phone number that's answered, and your website if you have one.
Step by step: create a new profile
- Go to Google Business Profile (business.google.com) and sign in.
- Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your registration and truck. No added keywords or cities.
- Choose your primary category, the one that matches the job people search for most, like Plumber or Roofing contractor.
- Say whether you have a location customers can visit. If customers don't come to you, choose no.
- Add your service areas: the towns or regions you drive to.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Verify the business using the option Google offers you.
Menu wording changes from time to time. If a step looks different, Google's Business Profile help has the current version.
If you work from home or a truck
You can create a Google Business Profile without showing an address. Google still asks for your real address so it can verify you, then hides it if you say customers don't visit. You'll appear as a service-area business.
Hiding the address doesn't change where you rank. Rankings still center on that address, which is why city pages matter for reaching other towns.
Claiming a listing that already exists
- Find your business on Google Maps or Search.
- Choose the option to claim or manage the listing (often labelled "Own this business?" or "Claim this business").
- Follow the prompts to verify.
If someone else already manages it, such as an old agency or a former partner, Google lets you request access. The current owner gets a set time to respond before you can continue.
Verification
Google decides which verification options you get. For many contractors it's a video: one continuous take showing where you are, your business (lettered truck, tools, signage) and proof you manage it. Our verification help page has the shot list.
Edits right after verifying, especially to the name, address or category, can trigger another review. Get everything right before you verify.
