How to Set Up Google Business Profile for Reviews (Complete Guide)

Why Google Business Profile Is the Foundation of Your Review Strategy

Your Google Business Profile is the single most important asset for local business reviews. When potential customers search for businesses like yours, your GBP listing is often the first thing they see, complete with your star rating, review count, and recent customer feedback.

Businesses with complete, optimized Google Business Profiles receive 7x more clicks than those with incomplete listings. And since Google reviews are the most trusted and most visible review source for local businesses, setting up your GBP correctly from the start is critical.

This guide walks you through every step, from creating your listing to generating your first reviews.

Step 1: Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile

If You Do Not Have a Listing Yet

1. Go to [business.google.com](https://business.google.com) and sign in with a Google account
2. Click "Add your business" and enter your business name
3. Select your business category (choose the most specific option available)
4. Enter your business address or select "I deliver goods and services to my customers" for service-area businesses
5. Add your phone number and website URL
6. Click "Finish" to submit your listing for verification

If Your Listing Already Exists

Many businesses already have a Google listing that was automatically created from public data. To take control of it:

1. Search for your business on Google Maps
2. Click on your listing, then click "Claim this business"
3. Follow the prompts to verify ownership
4. Once verified, you will have full editing access

Choosing the Right Business Category

Your primary category directly affects which searches your listing appears in. Be as specific as possible. For example, "Italian Restaurant" is better than "Restaurant," and "Emergency Plumber" is better than "Plumber."

You can add up to 9 additional categories, but the primary category carries the most weight. Review your competitors' categories for ideas on what works in your industry.

Step 2: Verify Your Business

Google requires verification to confirm you are the legitimate owner. Verification methods include:

• Phone verification: Google calls or texts a code to your business phone number. This is the fastest method.
• Email verification: A code is sent to your business email address. Available for some business types.
• Video verification: You record a video showing your business location, signage, and proof of management. Google reviews the video within a few business days.
• Postcard verification: Google mails a postcard with a verification code to your business address. This takes 5-14 days and is becoming less common.

Complete verification as soon as possible. Until verified, your listing has limited visibility and you cannot respond to reviews or make full edits.

Step 3: Optimize Your Profile for Maximum Visibility

A verified listing is just the starting point. Optimization is what separates businesses that dominate local search from those that get buried.

Complete Every Section

Fill in every field Google provides:

• Business hours: Include regular hours, holiday hours, and special hours
• Business description: Write a clear, keyword-rich description (up to 750 characters) that explains what you do and who you serve
• Services and products: List your specific services or products with descriptions and prices where applicable
• Attributes: Select relevant attributes like "wheelchair accessible," "free Wi-Fi," or "women-owned"
• Photos: Upload at least 10 high-quality photos including your storefront, interior, team, and products or services in action

Add High-Quality Photos

Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website. Upload:

• Exterior photos (so customers can recognize your location)
• Interior photos (showing the atmosphere and environment)
• Team photos (building trust and personal connection)
• Product or service photos (showing what customers can expect)

Update your photos regularly. Fresh photos signal to Google that your business is active.

Write a Compelling Business Description

Your description should naturally include your key services and location without keyword stuffing. Focus on what makes your business unique and what customers can expect.

Example: "Family-owned dental practice serving downtown Portland since 2005. We specialize in general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and pediatric care in a comfortable, modern office. Same-day emergency appointments available."

Step 4: Get Your Google Review Link

This is the link you will share with customers to make leaving a review as easy as possible.

Method 1: From Your GBP Dashboard

1. Log in to your Google Business Profile
2. Click the "Ask for reviews" button (or find it under "Customers" > "Reviews")
3. Google generates a short link you can copy and share

Method 2: Using Your Place ID

1. Go to the Google Place ID Finder
2. Search for your business and copy the Place ID
3. Use this URL format: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID
4. Test the link in an incognito browser window to confirm it works

Method 3: From Google Maps

1. Search for your business on Google Maps
2. Click on your listing
3. Click "Write a review" and copy the URL from your browser

Whichever method you use, test the link before sharing it. It should open directly to the review form with your business name pre-filled.

Step 5: Set Up Review Notifications

Timely responses to reviews improve your local SEO and show customers you care. Set up notifications so you never miss a review:

1. In your GBP dashboard, go to Settings
2. Enable email notifications for new reviews
3. Consider connecting a review monitoring tool like Opineko for real-time alerts via email or Telegram

Aim to respond to every review within 24 hours. Thank positive reviewers by name and address negative reviews with empathy and a clear path to resolution.

Step 6: Connect Your GBP to Opineko

Once your Google Business Profile is set up and verified, you can amplify your review collection by connecting it to Opineko:

1. Create your Opineko account and add your business
2. Enter your Google review link in the platform settings
3. Opineko generates a custom QR code and landing page for your business
4. When customers scan the QR code, they are asked about their experience
5. Happy customers (4-5 stars) are routed directly to your Google review page
6. Less satisfied customers are shown a private feedback form

This approach maximizes the number of positive Google reviews you collect while giving you a chance to address negative experiences privately before they become public.

Common GBP Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Using a P.O. Box address. Google requires a real physical address or a legitimate service area. P.O. boxes can result in listing suspension.

Choosing the wrong primary category. Your primary category has the biggest impact on which searches you appear in. Research what your top-ranking competitors use.

Leaving sections incomplete. Empty fields are missed opportunities. Google rewards complete listings with better visibility.

Not verifying promptly. Unverified listings have severely limited functionality. Verify within the first week.

Ignoring the Q&A section. Customers and random users can post questions on your listing. Monitor and answer questions promptly, and consider pre-populating common Q&A yourself.

Maintaining Your Profile Over Time

Setting up your GBP is not a one-time task. Ongoing maintenance keeps your listing competitive:

• Post weekly updates using Google Posts (events, offers, news)
• Update photos monthly to keep your listing fresh
• Respond to all reviews within 24 hours
• Check your business information quarterly to ensure accuracy
• Monitor your insights to understand how customers find and interact with your listing
• Add new services or products as your offerings evolve

A well-maintained Google Business Profile combined with a consistent review generation strategy is the foundation of local search dominance. Start with the setup, then build a system for ongoing review collection using the strategies and tools covered in this guide.