Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, is your business's free listing on Google. It is the panel people see when they search your name or "hair salon near me", with opening hours, phone, directions, photos and reviews. For a local business it often brings more calls than the website itself.
What it is and what it is not
It is free. You do not pay Google for the profile or for your place on the map.
You do not need a shopfront. If you serve customers at their premises, like a plumber, you hide the address and list the areas you cover.
It does not replace your website. The profile brings the first contact, the website convinces. Whoever taps "Website" wants to see more before they call.
Setting it up, step by step
1Go to business.google.com with a Google account that belongs to the business, not to a contractor, so you never lose access.
2Write the name exactly as it is on your sign. Adding words like "cheap" or "Limassol" to the name breaks Google's rules and can get the profile suspended.
3Choose the primary category carefully. It is the most important choice, because Google uses it to decide which searches to show you for. Add secondary categories where they apply.
4Address or service areas, phone, website and opening hours, including holidays.
5Verification. Google picks the method, usually a short video of your premises or a code by text. Until it is verified, the profile does not show properly.
What makes the difference afterwards
Real photos. Your premises, your team, your work. Not images from the internet.
Services with a description and price, so customers know what to expect before they call.
One post a week. An offer, a new job, a tip. It shows Google and people that the business is active.
Reviews from real customers. Ask with the review link your profile gives you, and reply to every one, the negative ones calmly.
The same details everywhere. Name, address and phone written exactly the same on your website, Facebook and directories.
What not to do. Fake reviews, reviews in exchange for a discount, keywords stuffed into the name and a second profile for the same business. Google detects them, and the penalty can be removed reviews or a suspended profile.
How Google decides who to show
Google itself says it looks at three things. How relevant the profile is to the search, how close it is to the person searching, and how prominent the business is, from reviews, mentions and its website. You cannot change distance, but you build the other two with the steps above and a website that says clearly what you do and where. More on the local SEO in Cyprus page.
Common questions
Is Google My Business the same as Google Business Profile?
Yes. Google renamed Google My Business to Google Business Profile. An old profile keeps working as before.
Does it cost anything?
No. The profile and your place on the map are free. You only pay if you want Google Ads, which is a separate service.
Do I need a shop to have a profile?
No. You need to serve customers in person, at your premises or theirs. If you only work online, the profile is not for you.
Can I delete a bad review?
No. You can report it to Google only if it breaks its rules, for example if it is fake or abusive. A calm, polite reply often convinces the next reader more than ten good reviews.
How soon will I appear on the map?
Once verified, the profile shows for searches of your name. For general searches like "web design Limassol" it takes weeks or months, depending on competition, reviews and your website.
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