Google Business Profile for your shop: complete 2026 guide (free)

Why your shop has to be on Google Maps

When someone searches "bakery near me" or "[city] takeaway pizza," Google shows a map with the nearest shops. If your shop isn't on that list, that person goes to a competitor — even if you're 50 meters away.

The Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is completely free and lets you appear in those local searches. It's probably the single most impactful thing you can do for your shop's visibility without spending a cent.

How to create your Google Business Profile

1. Go to business.google.com

Sign in with your Google account (or create one if you don't have one). Click "Manage now".

2. Enter your shop name

Type the exact name of your shop. If an unverified profile already exists, Google will show it to you — claim it instead of creating a new one.

3. Pick the category

Choose the most accurate category: "Bakery", "Pizzeria", "Grocery store", "Hair salon", etc. This is critical for showing up in the right searches.

4. Add the address

Enter the exact address. Google will ask you to confirm it on the map.

5. Verify your shop

Google has to verify the shop really exists. The most common method is a postcard with a code that arrives by mail in 5-7 working days. Enter the code in the panel and the profile goes live.

How to optimize the profile to rank ahead of others

Creating the profile is just the first step. To show up in the top results you have to optimize it:

Photos (critical)

Add at least 10 quality photos: the outside of the shop, the inside, your main products. Shops with photos get 42% more direction requests than those without photos.

Accurate hours

Enter the correct opening hours, including holiday variations. Google penalizes profiles with wrong hours because it creates a bad user experience.

Optimized description

Write 150-200 words describing your shop, what you sell and what makes you different. Naturally include the keywords your customers would use to find you.

Link to your website

If you have an online storefront (like the one you create with TIENDAONLINE), add the link. This improves both the profile's ranking and the likelihood the customer will go through to purchase.

Phone number and WhatsApp

List a number that's always reachable. You can also add your WhatsApp link in the description.

How to get reviews (without sounding desperate)

Reviews are gold. A profile with 20 reviews at 4.5 stars attracts far more customers than one with 3 reviews at 5 stars.

How to ask naturally:

• •At checkout: "If you're happy with your purchase, a Google review would mean a lot — it takes a minute"
• •On WhatsApp to regular customers: "Hi [name], here's the link for a Google review if you have 2 minutes"
• •With a sign near the till: "Leave us a Google review — scan the QR"

The QR code that takes people straight to the reviews section can be generated from the Google Business panel.

Important: don't offer discounts in exchange for reviews. It's against Google's policy and can lead to profile removal.

Connect the profile to your TIENDAONLINE storefront

Once the profile is verified, put your TIENDAONLINE storefront link (e.g. yourshop.tiendaonline.it) in the "Website" field.

Customers who find your shop on Google Maps can click through, see the catalog and send you the order directly on WhatsApp — without having to call you or come into the shop physically.

Realistic results

With an optimized profile and the first 5-10 reviews, you can expect:

• •Appearing in local searches within 2-4 weeks
• •3-8 new customers a month from Google Maps alone (for neighborhood shops)
• •Progressively better ranking as you accumulate reviews

It's not instant magic, but it's one of the most effective channels for local visibility — and completely free.

Create your online storefront to link with Google →