How to Get Your Business on Google Maps in Vancouver (Free)

Why Google Maps matters

For local searches like "web designer near me" or "pizza in Burnaby", Google often shows a map with a few businesses before the regular results. That map comes from Google Business Profile, a free listing anyone can create. If you're not there, those searchers see someone else first.

Step 1: Check if you already have a listing

Search your business name on Google and Google Maps. Old listings are common, created by a past owner, an old agency, or a customer who added you. If one exists, claim it instead of making a new one. Two listings for one business split your reviews and can cause problems.

Step 2: Create or claim your profile

• Go to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account you want to own it long-term.
• Use your real business name, exactly as customers see it on your signage and website. Don't add keywords or city names to the name. Google treats that as spam and it's a common reason for suspensions.
• Pick the most specific primary category you can, then add a few secondary ones that truly match what you do.

Step 3: Storefront or service area?

If customers visit you, enter your address. If you go to them, or work by phone and email, set yourself up as a service-area business and hide your address. Then list the cities you serve. Google lets you add up to 20 service areas, so a Coquitlam business could list Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Langley and more.

Step 4: Verify

Google needs to confirm you're real. Depending on your business, you may be asked for a video, a phone call, an email or a postcard. For video verification, follow Google's on-screen instructions closely and show what it asks for, such as your signage, tools or business documents. Make sure your name, phone and website match everywhere before you start.

Step 5: Fill in everything

• Phone and website: the same number and site you use everywhere else.
• Hours: including holiday hours. Wrong hours lead to angry reviews.
• Services or products: list them with short, clear descriptions.
• Description: say plainly what you do and who you serve.
• Photos: real photos of your work, your team and your place. Not stock.

Step 6: Get reviews, the honest way

Reviews are one of the strongest signals for Maps. Ask happy customers directly, with a link, right after a good job. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and briefly. Never buy reviews, offer rewards for them, or only ask people you know are happy. Google's rules forbid that and it can get reviews removed or your profile suspended.

Step 7: Keep it alive

Post an update or photo every week or two, answer messages quickly, and keep your details current. Active, complete profiles tend to do better than abandoned ones.

Step 8: Match your details everywhere

Use the exact same name, phone and website on your own site, Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, Bing Places and Apple Business Connect. Consistent details help Google, and AI tools, trust that you're one real business.

Common problems

Suspended, not showing, verification failing, or someone else controls your listing? We cover the causes and fixes on our Google Maps fix page.