How much does it cost to put my business on Google?
What is free
- Creating and claiming a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).
- Verifying it and appearing on Google Maps and in local results.
- Adding photos, hours, services, posts and answering reviews.
- Seeing how many people called, asked for directions or visited your site from the profile.
Beware of calls claiming you must pay to "stay on Google" or to "verify" your listing. Google does not charge for a Business Profile.
What costs money (and is optional)
- Google Ads: you pay per click to appear in the ad spots. You set the budget.
- Local Services Ads: for eligible trades, you pay per lead and get a Google Verified badge at the very top.
- A website: your profile works without one, but a fast site with a page for each service converts far more searchers.
- Help: an agency or freelancer to optimize the profile, earn reviews and build citations.
How to set up your free profile
- Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with a Google account you control (not an employee’s personal one).
- Search for your business. Claim it if it exists, or add it.
- If customers come to you, add your address. If you go to them, hide the address and set service areas instead.
- Verify. Google offers the method, which may be video, phone, email or mail.
- Fill in every field: primary category, services, hours, description, photos.
What makes a free profile rank
Google says local ranking depends on relevance, distance and prominence. In practice that means the right primary category, a complete profile, a steady flow of genuine reviews, consistent details across the web and a website that backs it all up. Read our map pack guide for the details.
Free to list, but is it working?
Most profiles we audit are listed but not ranking. Ask for a free audit and we’ll show where you appear on the map across your service area and what is holding you back. Our local SEO service does the work if you’d rather not.
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