Setting up a Google My Business listing is one of the most important steps for any local business in Surrey, London, Redhill or Reigate. When someone searches on Google Search for:
…Google often shows a map with local business profiles before standard website results. If your business is not listed properly, you are missing visibility.
This guide explains, step by step, how to create a Google My Business listing and how to set it up correctly so it supports your Local SEO and wider marketing strategy.
Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile. It is a free tool that allows you to list your business on Google Search and Google Maps.
Your Google Business Profile displays:
It is often the first thing potential customers see before they visit your website. If you want to add your business to Google and appear in local search results, this is where you start.
To create a Google My Business listing, you need a Google account.
If you do not already have one:
This account allows you to manage your Google Business Profile, respond to reviews and update information.
After signing in, you will see the option to add business to Google.
Enter your business name exactly as it appears in the real world.
Sometimes your business may already appear on Google.
In this case, you will need to claim the listing rather than create a new Google listing.
This ensures you manage the correct profile and avoid duplicates. Duplicate listings can confuse customers and harm local search visibility.
Your primary category is important. It tells the search engine what your business does. For example:
Choose the most accurate category first. You can add additional categories later, but clarity matters more than volume. Relevance supports visibility.
Google will ask whether customers visit your location or whether you serve customers at their address.
If you have a shop or office in Redhill or Reigate, enter your full address. This helps you appear in Google Maps results.
If you travel to customers, such as a plumber or electrician, select service area and define areas such as:
Be realistic. Do not list the entire country if you do not serve it. Accuracy improves local search relevance.
Enter:
Your website should ideally be a structured WordPress website that supports Local SEO and good user experience.
Google Business Profile and your website must align. Inconsistent contact details reduce credibility.
Google will require verification. This may happen through:
Verification confirms that you are authorised to manage the profile. Until verified, your listing may not appear fully in search results.
Many businesses stop after verification. This is a mistake. A complete profile improves visibility and customer trust. You should add:
Your description should clearly explain what your business does and where you operate. For example:
“We provide plumbing services in Redhill, Reigate and across Surrey, including emergency repairs and boiler installations.”
Clarity helps both users and search engines.
Within your Google Business Profile, you can list individual services. For example:
This improves relevance for local search queries.
Each service should ideally have a corresponding page on your website. This alignment strengthens Local SEO.
Reviews are one of the strongest local search signals. After completing a job, ask your customer to leave a review on your Google Business Profile.
Respond to reviews professionally. Positive reviews improve:
Reputation management is part of ongoing Google Business Profile management.
Your Google My Business listing is not a one‑time task. You should regularly:
An active profile signals engagement. Consistency improves local search presence.
Your Google Business Profile connects directly to your Local SEO strategy.
It influences:
When your profile, website and Local SEO strategy align, your chances of appearing higher in local search improve.
Your Google Business Profile works alongside:
It is not a replacement for search engine optimisation. It is part of it.
Google Ads allow you to run paid ads at the top of the search engine results page.
Google My Business supports organic local visibility.
Google local business ads are separate from your free listing.
Both can work together, but your Google Business Profile should always be properly configured first. Free visibility should be structured before paid advertising investment.
When creating a Google My Business listing, avoid:
Local search depends on accuracy and trust.
If you want to get your business on Google and improve visibility in Surrey and South London, your Google Business Profile is essential. When someone searches for your service in Redhill or Reigate, your listing may appear before your website. This affects:
Local search is competitive. Structured setup gives you an advantage.
To create a Google My Business listing, you need:
It is one of the most powerful free tools available for local businesses.
When aligned with a strong WordPress website and structured Local SEO strategy, it supports long‑term visibility.
If you want help setting up or managing your Google Business Profile as part of a structured Local SEO plan, we can guide you through the process.
Contact Good Ostrich today.
