How to Edit Your Google My Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is often the very first interaction a potential customer has with your brand - right at the top of a Google search. An outdated profile looks neglected, while a well-managed one acts like a 24/7 salesperson for your business. This guide will walk you through exactly how to edit your profile, from getting the basics right to using advanced features that will help you stand out from the competition.

First Things First: How to Access Your Google Business Profile

Gone are the days of logging into a separate, clunky dashboard. Google now lets you manage your profile directly from Google Search and Maps, which makes keeping your information fresh incredibly simple. Here's how you get to the editor:

1. Make sure you’re logged into the Google account you use to manage your business.
2. Open a Google Search tab and type in your exact business name and location. For example, "City Paws Grooming Chicago".
3. At the top of the search results, you should see a special management panel that only you can see. It starts with "Your business on Google" and has round buttons like "Edit profile," "Read reviews," and "Messages."

This is your new control center! If you don't see this panel, double-check that you're signed into the correct account. From here, you can manage every single aspect of your profile.

Mastering the Core Business Information

These are the non-negotiables. Getting your core information right is the foundation of a successful profile and ensures customers can find you, contact you, and understand what you do. Start by clicking the "Edit profile" button in your management panel.

Editing Your Business Name

Your business name should be just that - your actual, registered business name. It’s tempting to add keywords (e.g., "City Paws Grooming - Best Dog & Cat Stylists"), but this can get your profile suspended. Stick to what’s on your storefront and official documents to maintain consistency and trust.

• How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, tap the pencil icon next to "Business name". Remember that changes can sometimes trigger a re-verification from Google, so don’t change it unless needed.

Updating Categories

Categories tell Google and customers exactly what your business offers. This is one of the most powerful factors for ranking in local search results. Be specific!

• Primary Category: Choose the one category that best describes your main service. If you're a restaurant that specializes in pizza, "Pizza Restaurant" is better than the generic "Restaurant."
• Secondary Categories: Add any other relevant categories. That same pizza restaurant might add "Italian Restaurant," "Takeout," and "Catering" as secondary options.

How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, tap the pencil next to "Business category". You can add both your primary and additional categories here.

Writing a Winning Business Description

Your description is your quick sales pitch. You have 750 characters to tell your story, highlight what makes you different, and mention your key services. Write for humans, not for search engine robots. Instead of listing keywords, tell people why they should choose you. Talk about your history, your team’s expertise, or your commitment to customer satisfaction.

How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, find the "Description" section and add your text.

Correcting Your Address and Service Area

Accurate location data is vital for a local business. How you set this up depends on your business model:

• Storefront Businesses: If customers visit you, ensure your address and pin are exactly right on the map. You can drag the pin manually to get it perfectly placed over your entrance.
• Service-Area Businesses (SABs): If you travel to your customers (like a plumber or a mobile dog groomer), you can hide your physical address from the public and instead list the cities, zip codes, or general areas you serve. This tells Google where to show your profile to relevant searchers.
• Hybrid Businesses: Some businesses do both (e.g., a restaurant that also offers catering). You can set both a physical address and a service area.

How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, Location. Here, you can adjust your street address and define your service areas.

Setting and Updating Your Business Hours

Few things frustrate a customer more than showing up to a business that Google said was open, only to find the doors locked. Keep your hours meticulously up-to-date.

• Regular Hours: Set your standard weekly opening and closing times.
• Special Hours: This is a must-use feature. Google will often prompt you to confirm your hours for upcoming holidays. Always set them for holidays, special events, or any day you have unusual hours. It shows customers you’re actively managing your profile.

How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, Hours.

Adding Your Phone Number and Website

These two are quick wins. Make sure the phone number listed is a direct line to your business and that you use it consistently across the web (this consistency helps with local SEO). Your website link should go directly to your homepage or a primary landing page where customers can get more information easily.

How to edit: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, Contact.

Enhancing Your Profile with Rich Features

Once your core information is perfect, it's time to build out your profile with richer content that engages customers and provides them with more reasons to choose you.

Showcasing Your Services and Products

Don't just say what you do in your description - list it out in detail. These dedicated sections are highly visible on your profile.

• Services: If you're a service-based business (hairstylist, accountant, marketing consultant), list every service you offer. You can add descriptions and even pricing for each one. This makes your offerings clear and helps you show up for a wider range of search queries.
• Products: If you sell products, you can build a shoppable catalog right on your Google profile. Add high-quality photos, descriptions, prices, and links back to the product pages on your website. This is incredibly powerful for retail and e-commerce stores.

How to add: From your main management panel, you’ll see dedicated buttons for "Edit services" and "Edit products".

Using Attributes to Add Specific Details

Attributes are quick, descriptive tags that communicate important details about your business. Examples include "Women-led," "Wheelchair accessible entrance," "Free Wi-Fi," "Appointment required," or "Outdoor seating." Customers often look for these details when making a decision, and having them toggled on can be a deciding factor.

How to add: Go to Edit profile &rarr, Business Information &rarr, More. Scroll through the available attributes and select all that apply.

The Power of Photos and Videos

A picture is worth a thousand words, and on your Google Business Profile, it's worth more. A profile with many high-quality photos gets significantly more clicks and direction requests. Customers want to see what they can expect.

• Logo: Solidifies your brand identity.
• Cover Photo: This is your billboard. Choose a wide shot that best represents your business.
• Interior/Exterior: Show people your space. Make it look inviting.
• Team Pics: Put a face to the business. Humanizes your brand.
• Products/At Work: Show your products in action or your team providing a service.

How to add: From the main management panel, simply click the "Add photo" button and upload your media. Videos can be short (up to 30 seconds) and are great for showing off your space or a quick product demo.

Engaging with Customers and Managing Your Reputation

Your Google profile isn't just a static directory listing, it's an interactive channel for building relationships with your audience.

Replying to Reviews (Especially the Bad Ones)

Responding to reviews shows you care. It’s a huge signal of trust, both to the person who left the review and to every potential customer who reads it.

• For positive reviews: Thank the reviewer by name and mention something specific about their experience. ("Thanks, Jane! We’re so glad you enjoyed the new pesto pasta.")
• For negative reviews: This is your chance to shine. Respond quickly and professionally. Apologize for the experience (even if you feel you’re not at fault), offer a way to make it right, and provide contact info to take the conversation offline. A well-handled negative review can often win you a customer for life.

How to respond: Click the "Reviews" button and you’ll see an option to reply to each one.

Using the Q&A Feature Proactively

Did you know anyone can ask a question on your Google profile, and anyone can answer it? As the business owner, your answers are automatically highlighted, making this a valuable tool you should control.

Don't wait for people to ask. Add your own frequently asked questions and then answer them yourself! What are the top things people call you about? "Do you have parking?" "Are you dog-friendly?" "What are your weekend hours?" By pre-populating your Q&A, you save your team time and give customers instant answers.

How to access: Look for the "Q&A" button on your management dashboard.

Creating Google Posts for Updates and Offers

Think of Posts as mini social media updates that appear directly in your Google profile. They’re perfect for promoting specials, announcing new products, or sharing timely news. To get started, click the "Add update" button.

• Use a compelling, high-quality image or video.
• Write concise, engaging text.
• Always include a clear call-to-action (CTA) like "Call now," "Book online," or "Learn more."

Google Posts typically stay "live" in search results for seven days, so they're excellent for current information and promotions. Treat them as a way to keep your profile fresh and dynamic.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your Google Business Profile up-to-date should be a regular part of your marketing routine. It's one of the most effective free tools for driving local traffic and building your reputation. In just a few minutes a week, you can transform your profile from a static listing into a powerful customer attraction channel.

Once your Google profile is dialed in, the next step is to engage your audience across social media. Consistent posting on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can keep you top-of-mind in your community’s conversations, and a modern social media tool makes all the difference. We built Postbase because we were tired of tools that were built for the last decade. Our visual calendar makes planning simple, and our rock-solid scheduling ensures posts actually go live when you say they will. It all helps keep the social media marketing chaos under control so you can stay focused on growing your business.