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Moxy Web Studio · Client guide

Keep your Google Business Profile up to date

Your Google Business Profile is the listing people see on Google Search and Maps: your name, phone, hours, photos and reviews. This guide shows you how to change each part yourself, on a computer or a phone, in a few minutes.

Watch it first

About 2 minutes, with narration. The steps below say the same thing in writing.

Before you start

  • Sign in to the Google account that manages your profile. If you see the buttons in step 1, you're in the right account.
  • Your profile needs to be verified. Some businesses can't change anything until verification is done. If Google asks you to verify, finish that first.
  • Google reviews most changes before they go live. That can take from a few minutes to a few days.
  • Tell us when something changes (phone, hours, services, areas). We keep your website saying the same thing as your Google profile, which helps both rank.
STEP 1

Open your profile

On a computer

  1. Go to Google and search for your business name and town.
  2. Your profile appears with management buttons above or beside it.
  3. Select Edit profile.

On a phone

  1. Open the Google Maps app.
  2. Tap Business at the bottom right.
  3. Tap Edit profile.
Search your business name while signed in; your profile appears with Edit profilegoogle.com/search?q=larkspur+%26+vane+plumbingLarkspur & Vane PlumbingYour business on GoogleLarkspur & Vane Plumbing4.8 · 37 reviewsEdit profileRead reviewsAdd updatePhotos1
Computer: search your name, then Edit profile.
In the Google Maps app, tap Business, then Edit profileSearch hereLarkspur & Vane PlumbingEdit profileExploreYouContributeBusiness12Google Maps app1 Tap Business (bottom right)2 Tap Edit profile
Phone: Business tab, then Edit profile.
STEP 2

Name, category and description

  1. In Edit profile, open the About section.
  2. Business name: the name on your truck, sign and invoices. Nothing added.
  3. Category: one main category (for example "Plumber"), plus up to 9 more that truly fit.
  4. Description: up to 750 characters. Say what you do, for whom, and where.
  5. Select Save.

Don't add keywords to your name. "Best Raleigh Plumber 24/7" breaks Google's rules and can get the profile suspended.

Edit profile, About tab: business name, category and description, then SaveEdit profileBusiness informationAboutContactLocationHoursMoreBusiness nameLarkspur & Vane PlumbingBusiness categoryPlumber · + Add another category1 primary, up to 9 moreDescriptionFamily-run plumbing for homes in Wake County since 2011…max 750 charactersSaveName = your real-world name✓ Larkspur & Vane Plumbing✗ Best Raleigh Plumber 24/7✗ LARKSPUR PLUMBINGNo cities, keywords or slogans
Illustration. Google changes the layout often; the labels stay the same.
STEP 3

Phone and website

  1. Open the Contact section.
  2. Phone: a number that reaches your business directly. You can list up to 3.
  3. Website: the full address of the website we host for you, starting with https://.
  4. Select Save.

Use the same phone number that's on your website. Matching details everywhere help Google trust your listing.

Contact tab: phone number and website address, then SaveEdit profileBusiness informationAboutContactLocationHoursMorePhone number(919) 555-0147up to 3 numbersWebsitehttps://www.your-business.cominclude https://SaveUse the website we hostSame phone number ason your websiteNo redirects or landing pages
The website field must be your own site, not a page that sends people somewhere else.
STEP 4

Address or service area

  1. Open the Location section.
  2. Customers come to you? Show your address.
  3. You go to customers? Turn off showing the address, and add the cities or ZIP codes you serve.
  4. Select Save.

Keep the service area within about 2 hours' drive of where you're based. Moving your address means verifying again.

Location tab: hide the address if you travel to customers and list your service areasEdit profileBusiness informationAboutContactLocationHoursMoreBusiness locationShow business address to customers: OffService areaRaleigh, NCCary, NCGarner, NCApex, NC+ Add a city or ZIP codeSaveYou go to customers?Hide the addressList the areas you serveWithin ~2 hours' drive
Most trades travel to customers: hide the address, list the towns.
STEP 5

Hours and holidays

  1. Open the Hours section and set your normal week.
  2. Under special hours, add each holiday or closure date ahead of time.
  3. Select Save.

Wrong hours are the most common complaint on Google. Add holiday hours a week ahead.

Hours tab: weekly hours plus special hours for holidays, then SaveEdit profileBusiness informationAboutContactLocationHoursMoreMonday7:00 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday7:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday7:00 AM – 6:00 PMFriday7:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday8:00 AM – 12:00 PMSundayClosedSpecial hoursThanksgiving · Nov 26Closed+ Add a dateSave
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, Nov 26.
STEP 6

Photos

  1. Find your profile as in step 1 and select Photos.
  2. Select Add photos, or Add a cover photo / Add a logo.
  3. Choose the pictures from your computer or phone.
RuleValue
FormatJPG or PNG
File size10 KB to 5 MB
Size720 × 720 px recommended, 250 × 250 px minimum
Videosup to 30 seconds, 75 MB, 720p or better
Shows upusually within 24–48 hours
Photos: Add photos, Add a cover photo, Add a logoPhotosPhotosAdd photosAdd a cover photoAdd a logoPhoto checklistJPG or PNG10 KB – 5 MB720 × 720 px recommendedReal work, in focus, no filtersShows in 24–48 hours
Real jobs and your team, in focus, without heavy filters.
STEP 7

Posts

  1. Go to business.google.com and select Posts, then Add post.
  2. Pick Update (news), Offer (a deal with dates) or Event (a date and time).
  3. Write a few lines, add a photo and a button, then select Post.

Don't type a phone number in the post text; posts with one can be rejected. Use the call button instead. Posts older than 6 months are archived.

Posts: choose Update, Offer or Event, write it, then Postbusiness.google.com › PostsAdd postUpdateOfferEventSpring special: water-heater flush and checkfor homes in Cary and Apex this April.Add photo · Add button: BookPostGood to knowNo phone number in thetext (use the button)Old posts archive after6 months
One short post a month keeps the profile looking active.
STEP 8

Reviews

  1. Find your profile and select Read reviews.
  2. Next to a review, select Reply.
  3. Write your answer and select Reply.

Thank people by name and keep it short. For an unhappy review, apologize once, give a way to reach you, and take it offline. The customer is notified of your reply. Google checks replies first, usually within 10 minutes and sometimes longer.

Never buy reviews or post them for customers. You can ask happy customers to leave one.

Read reviews: select Reply under a review, write your answer, then ReplyRead reviewsReviewsDana R.Showed up the same afternoon and fixed ourleaking shut-off valve. Fair price.ReplyThanks, Dana! Glad we could get your waterback on the same day. — Sam, Larkspur & VaneReplyReply to every reviewThank them by nameKeep it short and calmGoogle checks replies:usually ~10 minutes
Your reply appears publicly under the review as the business.

After you save

  • Google checks most changes before showing them. Some appear in minutes, some take a few days.
  • Changing your business name after verification, or moving your address, can mean verifying again.
  • If an edit is rejected, check it against the rules below and try again.
  • Anyone can suggest edits to your listing. Check your profile now and then for changes you didn't make.

Rules that protect your profile

Do

  • Use your real-world business name
  • Keep phone, hours and website current
  • Hide your address if you travel to customers
  • Add real photos of your work
  • Reply to reviews

Don't

  • Add cities, keywords or slogans to your name
  • Write your name in ALL CAPS
  • Use a virtual office as your address
  • Point the website link at a page that redirects
  • Buy, trade or write your own reviews

Your monthly 5-minute check

  • Hours are right, and next month's holidays are added
  • Phone and website are the same as on your website
  • Every new review has a reply
  • At least one new photo of recent work
  • One short post: news, an offer or a tip
  • No surprise edits you didn't make

Changed something? Email us at hello@moxywebstudio.com so your website matches.