Start by claiming your business at google.com/business using the Google account you want to manage it with. Enter your exact business name, address, and phone number (NAP) matching what appears on your website and citations across the web. Google sends a verification code by mail, phone, or email depending on your business type—expect 5–14 days for postcard verification in most Canadian cities. Choose your primary category carefully because it determines which searches trigger your listing. A bakery in Ottawa should pick "Bakery" not "Restaurant" even if you serve coffee. Add 5–9 secondary categories that genuinely apply, but avoid keyword stuffing. Write a business description using your main keywords naturally in the first sentence, then explain what makes you different. Keep it under 750 characters. Upload at least 10 photos in the first week: exterior, interior, products, team. Google favours listings with fresh photos every 2–4 weeks. Add your hours including holiday schedules, service areas if you're mobile, and attributes like "wheelchair accessible" or "free Wi-Fi." Enable messaging so customers can text you directly from search results. Post updates weekly or biweekly—offers, events, new products. Posts expire after 7 days but signal activity to Google. Encourage reviews by sending a direct review link to happy customers within 48 hours of service. Respond to every review within 24–72 hours, good or bad, with specific details not templates. At Ottawa SEO, we see the biggest ranking jumps when clients complete 100% of profile fields, maintain review velocity above 2–4 per month, and post at least twice monthly. Track your GBP Insights to see search queries, actions, and photo views. Most small businesses ignore the Q&A section—seed it with 5–8 common questions yourself so you control the narrative before customers ask.