How to List Your Photography Business on Google Maps
Being listed on Google Maps is crucial if you are a photography business owner. When people search “Photographer near me” on Google, you want your business to come up. Luckily, getting started is simple.
Create a Google Business Profile
To get started, you need to claim your business’s Google Business Profile. If you have a Google Workspace, which allows you to have a domain-based email address, this is not a business profile; you must take the additional step to claim your business’s Google Business Profile.
What is a domain-based email address?
A domain-based email address uses your website domain after the @ in the address. For example: hello@meganhofferphotography.com versus meganhofferphotography@gmail.com. To get this type of email address, you must first own a domain for a website (and that’s why this step comes after setting up a website in the photography business creation process). Then, you can create a Google Workspace with it and add different variations for yourself and for others on your team. Squarespace makes the entire process super simple.
Eligibility
Only some businesses qualify for a Google business profile. I learned this the hard way when we shifted LPS to an online format. Online companies do not qualify. However, you shouldn’t have any problem with a service-based photography business. You will be fine if you meet people in person, which you obviously need to do to take their pictures. Read the eligibility and ownership guidelines list here.
What Address to Use?
List your personal address on your business profile only if clients come to your residence to meet with you and you have business hours so people can stop by. I also learned this the hard way when a client’s grandmother stopped by the house to ask about getting a photo printed. I was still in my PJs and was so embarrassed!
If you don’t want people stopping by your house, list your service area instead.
Verify Your Profile
Once you claim your Google business profile, the next step is to verify it. This will allow you to edit information on your profile and respond to reviews people leave.
Manage Your Google Business Profile
Be sure to check your business profile regularly and update it if needed. Google will eventually notice if your business does not match what you have listed on your profile. If this is the case, they will either change it for you or suspend your account until you make the changes yourself.
Also, be sure to respond to your reviews. People take the time to write them for you, so be sure to respond.
How to Find Your Google Business Profile
There are several different ways to access your Google business profile and view it or make updates.
After signing into your Google email account, click the nine dots next to your profile and select Business.
You can also Google search for yourself or search for your business on Google Maps. Google will usually recognize you as the owner of the profile immediately.
Is This Necessary?
Are you ready for this step in your business development? Maybe you are, perhaps you’re not. Many things are more important to complete before you get to this stage. If you prefer a guide telling you step-by-step what you should do to set up and run a successful photography business, our Kickstart Your Photography Business™ course is perfect for you. This one step is a tiny part of this course's first class: 10 Key Actions, during which you will lay a solid foundation to start—or jump-start—your business. Sample the course before you buy it.
I hope to see you there!
Xx - Megan Hoffer
Founder & CEO Lancaster Photography School