Glossary
Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is a free business listing, managed directly through Google, that controls how a business appears in Google Search and Google Maps, including its name, address, phone number, opening hours, photos, and customer reviews.
Why it matters
For local searches, a Google Business Profile often appears more prominently than a website link, in the map pack, in local search results, and in Maps itself. A complete, accurate, actively managed profile is one of the highest-leverage, no-cost things a local business can do for visibility.
It works alongside a website, not instead of it: the profile gets a business found and builds initial trust through reviews, while the website is where the visitor goes to actually understand the service and get in touch properly.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the profile unclaimed or incomplete (no photos, no description, no hours)
- Business name, address, or phone number that doesn't match the website exactly
- Ignoring reviews, especially negative ones, instead of responding professionally
- Treating the profile as a substitute for having a proper website at all
Related terms
Google Business Profile FAQ
Do I need a website if I already have a Google Business Profile?
The profile gets you found; the website is where you're chosen. Most businesses that rely on the profile alone are leaving detail, trust, and control on the table that only a proper website provides.
Is a Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating and managing one costs nothing. The investment is in keeping it complete, accurate, and actively updated.
Where this applies
See this term in practice on Kwise Web's own pages.
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