Your Google Business Profile Is Gathering Dust. Here's How To Fix It (From Your Sofa)

You set it up. Probably a few years ago. Maybe you remember doing it. Maybe you don't.

Your Google Business Profile is sitting there right now, on Google Maps, showing up (or not showing up) in local searches. And unless you've been actively maintaining it, it's costing you business.

The problem? Most small business owners don't even remember how to access it anymore.

"What's my password again?" "Which email did I use?" "Where do I even log in?"

Sound familiar?

Here's the good news: you don't need to be sat at a desktop with a cup of tea and your brain switched on. You can do this from your sofa on your phone. And it takes about 10-15 minutes every couple of weeks to keep your profile working hard for you.

Here's exactly how.

How To Access Your Profile (If You Remember Your Login)

Via Google Business Profile (The Proper Way):

1. On your phone, open Google Chrome (or your default browser)

2. Go to google.com/business

3. Tap the Sign In button (top right)

4. Enter the email address you used to set up your profile

5. Enter your password

6. You'll see a list of your business profiles (if you have more than one)

7. Tap the one you want to manage

That's it. You're in.

Via Google Maps (The Easier Way):

1. Open Google Maps on your phone

2. Tap your profile icon (bottom right)

3. Tap Your Business Profile or Manage Your Business

4. Search for your business name

5. Select your business from the results

6. You'll see an "Manage" or "Edit" button—tap that

This is often faster if you just need to make quick updates.

How To Access Your Profile (If You've Forgotten Your Login)

This happens more often than you'd think. You set it up years ago, used a random password, never saved it anywhere.

If you've forgotten your password:

1. Go to google.com/business

2. Tap Sign In

3. Enter the email address you think you used

4. Tap "Forgot password?"

5. Google will ask you to verify your identity (usually by sending a code to your recovery email or phone)

6. Follow the prompts to reset your password

7. Log in with your new password

If you've forgotten which email you used:

This is trickier, but doable.

1. Go to google.com/business

2. Tap Sign In

3. Try common emails you might have used (main business email, personal email, old email)

4. If one works, great—proceed with password recovery

5. If none work, tap "Can't sign in?" and follow Google's account recovery process

If you genuinely can't remember anything, you can verify ownership of your business another way. Google will ask for business documents or a phone verification code sent to your business number.

Once You're In: The Weekly Maintenance Checklist

Okay, so you've logged in. Now what? Here's what actually matters:

1. Update Your Business Details (5 minutes)

Tap "Business Info" or "About"

Check:

• Business name (spelled correctly, no random capitals or symbols)

• Phone number (is it current? Can people actually reach you?)

• Address (still correct? Updated recently?)

• Website (if you have one—is the link working?)

• Business hours (do they match reality? Updated for holidays or changes?)

Small changes here make a massive difference. A wrong phone number costs you jobs. Out-of-date hours frustrate customers.

2. Add Or Update Your Services (5 minutes)

This is the bit most people miss.

Tap "Services" (or "Products" depending on your business type)

Add every service you actually offer. Don't be vague.

Instead of: "Cleaning" Write: "Commercial office cleaning," "End of tenancy cleaning," "Deep carpet cleaning"

Why? Because customers search specifically. They're looking for "lock changes" or "emergency locksmith," not just "locksmith services." The more detailed your services list, the more likely you show up for what people are actually searching for.

3. Add Your Service Areas (3 minutes)

Tap "Service Areas"

List every area you actually serve. Be specific:

"Malvern, Worcestershire" rather than "West Midlands"

If you serve multiple towns or postcode areas, add them all. This tells Google (and your customers) where you operate.

4. Add Photos (5 minutes)

This matters more than people think.

Tap "Photos" or "Gallery"

Add photos of:

• Your work in progress (shows competence)

• Finished jobs (shows quality)

• Your team (builds trust)

• Your workspace or van (shows you're professional)

Don't use stock photos. Real photos of real work beat polished nonsense every time. Customers want to see what you actually do.

Recent photos matter too. Google prioritizes fresh content. If your photos are from 2022, update them.

5. Check Your Reviews (2 minutes)

Tap "Reviews"

Read through recent reviews. Respond to them—especially the good ones (say thanks) and the bad ones (address the issue professionally).

This shows you're actively managing your profile. It also shows Google that your profile is maintained and current.

Why You Should Do This Every Couple Of Weeks

I know what you're thinking. "Every couple of weeks? That's loads of work."

It's not. It's 15 minutes. From your sofa. On your phone.

Here's why it matters:

Google rewards fresh, updated profiles with better visibility. A profile that's actively maintained shows up higher in searches than a neglected one.

Customers trust maintained profiles more. Recent photos. Updated information. Responded-to reviews. These things signal that you're a business that cares.

Your competitors probably aren't doing this regularly. That's your competitive edge.

The Reality Check

One of your competitors probably has a better website than you. That's fine. But I guarantee they're not maintaining their Google Business Profile fortnightly. So while they're focused on their website, you're the one showing up in the Map Pack with up-to-date information and recent photos.

That's the job you win.

Where To Start

If your profile is currently a mess—outdated information, no photos, incomplete details—don't panic. You don't have to fix everything at once.

Tonight, from your sofa:

1. Log in (using the steps above)

2. Update your phone number and hours (5 minutes)

3. Add a couple of recent photos of your work (5 minutes)

4. Add your service areas if they're missing (3 minutes)

That's it. You've just improved your profile significantly.

Then, make a note to do a full check every couple of weeks. Not because it's a chore. But because it's the easiest way to stay visible in local search.

Your Google Business Profile isn't a one-time setup. It's an ongoing sales tool. Treat it that way and it'll work hard for you.

Thanks for reading,
Ollie

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