How to Register Your Business on Google: 10 Steps to Appear on Google Maps

Are you running a business but customers can't find your store on Google? That's when you need to register your business on Google. With just a few simple and completely free steps, you can get your business to appear on Google Search and Google Maps, helping customers easily find, contact, and trust you more.

This article will guide you on how to register your business on Google in an easy-to-understand way, suitable for beginners who are not tech-savvy. Doing it right from the start will help you reach more customers, increase brand credibility, and not miss out on daily sales opportunities.

Step 1: How to access the Google business registration page

Open your browser and go to the official Google website

• Open any web browser you usually use, such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox

• Can be done on a PC or Mac, no additional software required

• Enter https://business.google.com/ into the address bar and press Enter

Why you need to access this exact link

• This is the official page to register your business on Google

• Helps you create and manage your business profile to appear on Google Search and Google Maps

• Ensures business information is verified by Google, avoiding confusion or impersonation

Important notes when starting

• You need to log in with the Google (Gmail) account you regularly use for work

• Registering your business on Google is completely free

• You should only do it on the official page to secure your information and get easier support later

Step 2: Start registering your business on Google

Click the “Start now” button on the page

• Look for the green Start now button

• This button is usually located in the upper right corner of the webpage

• You might also see the Start now button appear below the introductory content on the page

Why you need to click this specific button

• This is the official kick-off for the Google business registration process

• Google will guide you step-by-step through the business profile creation interface

• Helps ensure you follow the correct process, avoiding missing important information

Practical experience

• If you don't see the button, check if you're already logged in to your Google account

• It's best to use Chrome browser for the most stable and error-free interface

Step 3: Enter your business name and continue

Fill in your exact business name

• Click on the line below the heading that says Business name

• Type your business name or store name exactly as you use it in reality

• It's best to use a consistent name with your signboard, website, and fan page to make it easier for Google to verify

Complete the name entry step

• After entering, double-check the spelling and capitalization

• Click the blue Next button to proceed to the next step

Important notes from practical experience

• Do not stuff keywords into the business name (e.g., “ABC Store – cheap AC repair”) as this can easily lead to rejection by Google

• If the business already exists on Google, the system may suggest that you claim ownership instead of creating a new one

Step 4: Enter business location information

Fill in the full business address

• The next page asks you to enter your business address on Google

• Select the country from the dropdown list (e.g., Vietnam)

• Enter the street address where your business operates

• Enter the city or district as it is in reality

Complete the region information

• Select the province/city from the dropdown menu

• If you are in the US, also enter the ZIP code (this step may not apply in Vietnam)

Mark the customer service format

• At the bottom of the form, there is a checkbox that allows you to confirm whether you deliver or serve customers at their location

• You should check this box if you offer delivery, on-site repairs, or provide services outside your store

Proceed to the next step

• Double-check all entered information to ensure accuracy

• Click the Next button to continue the Google business registration process

Practical experience to remember

• The address entered in this step directly affects how the business appears on Google Maps

• The clearer and more accurate the information, the faster Google can verify it

• Avoid entering vague or non-existent addresses as this can lead to re-verification requests

Step 5: Choose the correct business category

Enter the appropriate business type

• Click on the line below the instructions on the page

• Type the type of business you are operating (e.g., coffee shop, car repair shop, spa, fashion store, etc.)

• As you type, Google will automatically display a list of related categories

Select the most accurate category

• As soon as you see a category that matches your business, click to select it

• Prioritize the category that reflects your main revenue-generating service

• Do not choose a similar but fundamentally incorrect category to avoid displaying to the wrong target customers

Complete the category selection step

• After selecting the category, click the Next button to continue

Practical experience from an SEO specialist

• The business category directly affects how the business appears on Google Search and Google Maps

• Choosing the correct category helps you appear before customers looking for the right service

• After completing registration, you can still add sub-categories, but the main category should be chosen accurately from the start

Step 6: Enter business phone number and website

Fill in accurate contact information

• The next page asks you to enter your business contact information on Google

• In the first line, select the country from the dropdown menu

• Enter the business phone number currently in use for customers to contact directly

Add website (if applicable)

• In the next line, enter the official website address of the business

• The website should be stable and have information consistent with the name, address, and phone number you've provided

• If you don't have a website yet, you can leave it blank and add it later

Complete the information entry step

• Double-check the phone number and URL to avoid errors

• Click the Next button to continue the Google business registration process

Important practical tips to remember

• The phone number and website are crucial factors for increasing credibility and visibility on Google

• It's best to use a landline or the main number regularly used for customer service

• Consistent contact information across Google, your website, and social media will help your business get verified by Google more easily

Step 7: Choose whether to receive support information from Google

Determine your notification preferences

• In this step, Google asks if you want to receive tips and guides to improve your business's presence on Google

• You'll see two radio button options:

  • Yes: Agree to receive email guides and tips for optimizing your business profile

  • No: Do not receive these notifications

How to make the right choice

• Choose Yes if you have just registered your business on Google and want to learn how to optimize its visibility and increase searches

• Choose No if you do not want to receive emails or are already familiar with managing your business profile

Continue the registration process

• After making your selection, click the Next button to proceed to the next step

Practical Experience

• Guidance emails from Google often provide useful information on how to improve your business profile, increasing its visibility on Google Search and Google Maps

• You can change this setting at any time in the settings, so there's no need to worry too much

Step 8: Confirm business ownership

Click the Continue button to confirm

• Find the blue Continue button at the bottom of the screen

• Click this button to continue the process

Meaning of the confirmation step

• Google requires this step to confirm that you are authorized to manage the business profile

• After confirmation, you can:

  • Edit business information

  • Manage how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps

  • Perform further verification steps if required

Important practical considerations

• Only click Continue if you are the business owner or legally authorized

• If you manage the wrong business, editing or transferring ownership later will be time-consuming

• This is a crucial step for Google to assess the transparency and reliability of the profile

Step 9: Choose mail verification to complete registration

Choose Mail as the verification method

• On the business verification method selection screen, click the blue Mail button below the description

• This is the method Google uses to send a verification postcard to your registered business address

How Google verifies locations

• Google will send a postcard with a 5-digit verification code to the business address

• Mail delivery typically takes 7–14 days, depending on the region

• Once you receive the code, log back into business.google.com to enter the verification code

During the verification waiting period

• You can already log in and manage your Google business profile

• You can edit basic information such as:

  • Business name

  • Category

  • Opening hours

• Some important features will be temporarily locked until you enter the correct verification code

Practical tips to know

• Do not edit the business address while waiting for the mail, otherwise Google will resend it from the beginning

• Ensure someone is available to receive mail at the registered address

• Keep the postcard carefully as the verification code can only be used once

Step 10: Verify location to unlock all features

Access the business management page

• When you receive the postcard from Google with the 5-digit verification code, visit https://business.google.com/

• Log in with the Google account you used to register your business on Google

Perform location verification

• In the left-hand menu, click Verify location

• Find the box labeled Enter code

• Enter the exact 5-digit code from the postcard

• Click the Verify button to complete

Results after successful verification

• All business management features are unlocked

• You can:

  • Fully display your business on Google Search and Google Maps

  • Update opening hours, images, services, and products

  • Respond to reviews and interact directly with customers

Important practical considerations

• The verification code can only be used once; entering it incorrectly multiple times may result in a temporary lock

• If you haven't received the postcard for a long time, you can request it to be resent in the management section

• After verification, you should add images and detailed information to increase credibility and visibility

References

1. Anar Kazimov. Digital Marketing Expert. Expert Interview

Translated by: Rene Lee Nguyen.