How to put your business on Google and Google Maps.

Register your business on Google, step by step

1. Use an account the business owns. Sign in to business.google.com with a Google account that belongs to the business, not a staff member's personal account.
2. Search for your business first. Google may already have a listing for you from other sources. If it does, claim it instead of creating a second one.
3. Enter your exact business name, the way it appears on your signage, invoices and website.
4. Choose your primary category: the one that best describes your main service, such as "Plumber" or "Dentist". You can add more later.
5. Add a location or a service area. If customers visit you, add your address and place the pin. If you go to them, set the areas you serve and hide your address.
6. Add your phone number and website.
7. Verify. Google offers a method for your business; see below.
8. Complete the profile: hours, services, a short description and real photos.

Getting verified

Google decides which verification methods to offer each business. Many businesses are now asked to record a short video showing the business location, signage, tools or equipment, and proof that they manage it. Some are offered a phone, SMS or email code. Keep the video continuous and show the street, the signage and something only the owner could show, such as the inside of the premises or a van with the branding.

Verification can take anything from a few minutes to a few days after you submit. If it is rejected, check that your name, address and category match what your signage and website say, then try again.

When your business still does not show

• It is not verified yet. Unverified profiles often do not show on Maps.
• You are searching from too far away. Local results depend on distance, so search from the area you serve.
• There is a duplicate listing. Two listings for one business split reviews and confuse Google. Remove or merge the extra one.
• The profile was suspended. Usually a business name stuffed with keywords, a virtual office address or a category that does not fit. Fix the cause, then request reinstatement.
• Someone else owns it. An old agency or former staff member may control the listing. Use Google's request-access process to claim it back.

Then add it to Bing Places and Apple Maps

Google is not the only map. Bing handles about 7% of South African searches, and about 11% on desktop (StatCounter Global Stats, August 2026), and its business listings also reach Microsoft Copilot and the engines that use Bing's results. iPhone users get directions from Apple Maps.

• Bing Places for Business: free. Sign in and import your verified Google Business Profile, which copies your details across so you do not retype them.
• Apple Business Connect: free. Claim your place card so Apple Maps shows the right hours, phone number and photos.

Keep the name, address and phone number identical on all three. Our South African business directories guide lists the free directories to add next.

After you are on the map

Being listed is the start. Ranking in the top three on the map takes the right categories, reviews, photos, consistent details across directories and pages on your website for the areas you serve. Our guide to ranking on Google Maps covers that, and the South African business directories guide shows where else to list your business for free.

Rather have it done properly for you? Our Google Business Profile optimisation service sets up, verifies with you and manages your profile every month.