How to Make a Google Business Profile For a Business in Kitchener
(Step by Step Guide) Introduction If you run a business in Kitchener, showing up on Google Maps is no longer a “nice to have”. It is often the difference between getting the call or being completely ignored. When people search for things like “pizza near me” or “emergency plumber Kitchener”, Google shows a map with three highlighted businesses. That map section is powered by Google Business Profile. Local searches are high intent. Studies show that around 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within 24 hours. If your business does not appear there, you are missing out on people who are ready to buy now. The good news is that Google Business Profile is free, and once you set it up properly you can appear in Google Search and Google Maps for customers across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to create, verify, and optimise your Google Business Profile from scratch. We will walk through each step, share Kitchener specific tips, and show you how to keep your profile updated so it keeps generating calls and customers for your business. Section 1: What is Google Business Profile and Why Kitchener Businesses Need It Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business, is a free listing that lets you manage how your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps. It shows key details such as your name, address, phone number, hours, services, website, reviews, and photos. When someone searches “plumber near me Kitchener” or “best coffee shop Waterloo Region”, Google often shows: A map with pins Three highlighted businesses (the “map pack”) Basic details like rating, hours, and directions Those top three map results get a huge share of clicks and calls. One recent report found that more than 40% of users click on Google’s map pack results when searching locally. For Kitchener businesses, a well optimised Google Business Profile means: Free local visibility when nearby customers search Instant credibility through reviews and photos Direct calls, website visits, and direction requests from the profile A stronger presence across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge Businesses that appear in the map pack usually receive far more leads than those that only appear in regular search results or not at all. If you are not there, you are leaving that business to your competitors. Section 2: Before You Start – What You Will Need Before creating your profile, gather the following information so the setup process takes 10 to 15 minutes instead of dragging on. Basic business information Exact business name as used in real life Business address in Kitchener Or service area if you work from home and visit customers Local phone number (preferably a Kitchener or Waterloo Region number) Primary business category, such as: Plumber HVAC contractor Dentist Hair salon Regular business hours Website URL (if you have one) Business email address (ideally using your domain) Photos and visuals Aim for at least 10 high quality photos to start: Logo Cover photo Exterior of your location Interior shots Team photos Product or service photos Before and after photos if you are a trades or renovation business You can use free tools such as Canva or Photopea to crop and resize images. Important notes for Kitchener businesses Service area businesses vs physical locations If customers visit your office or shop, you will list a physical address. If you visit customers at their home or workplace (for example, cleaners, plumbers, electricians), you can hide your home address and choose a service area instead. Home based businesses You can still have a Google Business Profile if you work from home. Use the service area option and hide your exact street address if you do not want it public. Serving multiple cities If you serve Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, you can add all three in your service area settings. Start by focusing on your main base (for example, Kitchener) and then add nearby cities. Section 3: Step by Step Guide to Creating Your Google Business Profile Step 1: Sign into a Google Account Go to google.com and sign in. You can use an existing Gmail account or create a new one. Tip: It is better to use a business email such as info@yourbusiness.ca connected to a Google account. This keeps your business assets separate from your personal email and looks more professional if you add other managers later. Step 2: Go to Google Business Profile Manager In your browser, go to google.com/business. Click the button that says “Manage now”. You will be taken to the Google Business Profile Manager dashboard where you can add or manage locations. If you are already signed in, Google might show you some businesses it thinks could be yours. Ignore those for now unless you recognise your own business. Step 3: Enter Your Business Name Type your exact business name in the search box. If you see your business appear in the dropdown, it might already exist. If your business already appears: Click it and follow the prompts to request access or claim the listing. Google may ask you to verify ownership again. If you see duplicate listings: Claim the one that looks most accurate. You can request to remove or merge duplicates later. Naming conventions for Kitchener businesses Use your real world business name. Do not add extra keywords like “best plumber Kitchener 24/7 emergency”. Google’s guidelines discourage keyword stuffing in the business name and it can lead to suspension. Good: “Kitchener Plumbing Solutions” “Downtown Kitchener Dental Clinic” Not good: “Kitchener Plumbing Solutions – Best Plumber Near Me 24/7” Step 4: Choose Your Business Category Google uses your primary category to decide which searches your business can appear for. This is very important. Start typing what you do, not who you are. “HVAC contractor” “Real estate agent” “Coffee shop” Choose the closest match from the list. You can add up to 9 additional categories later as secondary categories. Keep them closely related. Examples for common Kitchener business