When someone searches “game store near me” or “Pokémon cards near me,” the map results come first. Your Google Business Profile decides whether your store is in them and whether people tap through. It’s free, and most stores leave half of it empty.
1. Claim and verify your profile
Search for your store on Google Maps. If a profile exists, claim it. If not, create one at business.google.com. Google will ask you to verify that you run the business, often with a short video of your storefront and signage. Use an email address the business owns, not a staff member’s personal account.
2. Choose the right categories
Your primary category matters most. Pick the closest match for what you are, such as Game store, Comic book store or Hobby store. Then add secondary categories for anything else you’re known for, such as Toy store.
3. Get your hours right, including special hours
Wrong hours are the fastest way to lose a first visit. Set your regular hours, then add special hours for holidays, early release-day openings and late event nights. When Google asks you to confirm holiday hours, do it.
4. Write a description people can use
You get 750 characters. Say what you sell, which games you run events for, and what makes the store worth the drive: tables and play space, a pull-list service, a snack bar. Leave out links and sales; Google’s guidelines don’t allow them in the description.
5. Add photos, and keep adding them
- The outside of the store from the street, so people recognize it when they arrive
- The entrance and parking
- The play area with tables set up
- Shelves, display cases and the singles counter
- Events in progress
- You and your staff
Add a few new photos every month. Recent photos make a store look open and active.
6. Add products
Add product collections for what people search for: booster boxes, singles, supplies, comics and collectibles. Prices are optional.
7. Post every week
Posts show up on your profile. Use event posts for FNM, leagues and prereleases with dates and times, offer posts for sales, and updates for new arrivals. One or two a week keeps the profile fresh.
8. Fill in attributes
Attributes like a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restrooms and Wi-Fi help people decide to visit. Fill in everything that applies.
9. Ask for reviews, and answer all of them
Ask happy customers in person, and keep a short review link or QR code at the register. Reply to every review, good or bad, within a few days. Don’t offer discounts or prizes for reviews, and don’t ask only the customers you know are happy. Google’s rules forbid both, and breaking them can get reviews removed.
10. Keep your details the same everywhere
Your store name, address, phone number and hours should match on Google, your website, Facebook, Apple Maps, Bing and Yelp. Mismatches confuse customers and search engines alike.
Your 15-minute monthly routine
- Add three to five new photos
- Post your upcoming events
- Reply to new reviews
- Check hours for upcoming holidays
- Look at Performance: calls, direction requests and website clicks
Free download: the Google Business Profile checklist puts every step on two printable pages. Download the checklist (PDF)
Not sure how your listing stacks up? Request a free Guild Snapshot. Your Google listing is the first thing it checks.