Think about the last time you searched "pharmacy near me" or "restaurant in Ikeja." Google didn't just show websites. It showed a map with businesses pinned on it, their phone numbers, opening hours, photos, and reviews.

Those businesses got your attention first. And most of them paid nothing for it.

That listing is called a Google Business Profile, and any legitimate Nigerian business can get one for free. This guide shows you exactly how to set it up in 2026, including Google's new video verification, which trips up a lot of business owners.

Why your business needs to be on Google Maps

A Google Business Profile helps customers:

  • Find you when they search for what you sell in your area
  • Call you with one tap from the search results
  • Get directions straight to your shop or office
  • See your opening hours, photos, and prices
  • Read reviews from real customers before they visit

It also makes your business look established. When a customer searches your business name and nothing shows up, many assume you're not real.

Being on Google Maps is free. Not being on it costs you customers every day.

What you need before you start

Get these ready to make the process smooth:

  • A Gmail account you'll use for the business long-term (not a staff member's personal email)
  • Your exact business name, as written on your signboard and documents
  • Your business address, or the areas you serve if you go to customers
  • A business phone number that you actually answer
  • Your website, if you have one
  • Your smartphone with the Google Maps app installed and updated

Step 1: Check if your business is already on Google

Open the Google Maps app and search for your business name. Sometimes Google or a customer has already added it.

  • If you find it: tap it and look for the option to claim or manage the business
  • If you don't: you'll create a new profile in the next step

Step 2: Create your Business Profile

Go to business.google.com or open the Business option in the Google Maps app, then follow the prompts:

  • Enter your business name exactly as it appears in real life. Don't add extra words like "Best Cheap Phones Lagos." Google treats that as spam and can suspend you.
  • Choose your business category. Pick the most specific one, like "Mobile phone repair shop" instead of just "Store."
  • Add your location. If customers visit you, add your address. If you only deliver or go to clients, add your service areas instead and hide your address.
  • Add your phone number and website.

Step 3: Getting your address right in Nigeria

Nigerian addresses can be tricky. Many streets aren't well mapped, and some areas don't have clear house numbers. A few tips:

  • Drag the map pin to the exact spot where your business is, not just the street
  • Use the street name Google Maps recognises, even if locals call it something else
  • Mention a well-known landmark in your business description, like "opposite the First Bank on Allen Avenue"
  • Make sure your signboard is visible, because you'll need to show it during verification

Step 4: Verify your business (the important part)

Google needs to confirm your business is real before it shows your profile publicly. In 2026, the options you see depend on your business, and may include:

  • Video recording: now the most common method for new businesses
  • Phone or SMS code
  • Email code
  • Instant verification: sometimes available if your website is already verified in Google Search Console
  • Live video call with a Google support agent

Choose whatever Google offers you. If phone or email appears, that's usually the fastest.

How to pass Google's video verification

Most business owners now get video verification, and many fail it on the first try. Here's how to get it right:

  • Record live inside the Google Maps app. You can't record with your camera and upload it later.
  • Start outside. Show the street, nearby shops, or a landmark so Google can match your location on the map.
  • Show your signboard clearly with your business name.
  • Walk inside and show your products, equipment, or workspace.
  • Show proof you manage the business, like unlocking the door, opening the till, or showing business documents with your name on them.
  • Keep it one continuous video. No cuts, no edits, no music.
  • Make sure everything matches your profile. If your profile says one address and your video shows another, you'll be rejected.

The number one reason videos get rejected isn't bad quality. It's details that don't match the profile.

Video reviews can take a few business days. Don't edit your business name, address, or category while you wait, because changes can restart or cancel the review.

Step 5: Complete your profile after verification

Verification gets you on the map. A complete profile gets you chosen. Add:

  • Opening hours, including special hours for public holidays
  • Photos: your storefront, inside the shop, your products, and your team
  • A clear business description of what you sell, who you serve, and where
  • Your products or services, with prices if possible
  • Your logo and cover photo

Step 6: Get reviews (and reply to every one)

Reviews are one of the biggest reasons customers pick one business over another on the map.

  • Ask happy customers to leave a review right after a good experience
  • Share your review link on WhatsApp after a sale
  • Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and professionally
  • Never buy fake reviews. Google removes them and can penalise your profile.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Stuffing keywords or locations into your business name
  • Using a staff member's personal email, then losing access when they leave
  • Creating multiple profiles for the same business
  • Using a different address from what's on your signboard
  • Abandoning the profile after setting it up

Take it further with a website

Your Google Business Profile has a spot for your website, and customers tap it more than you'd expect. A profile with a professional website looks more trustworthy and turns more searchers into buyers.

At Navoteq Technologies, we build fast, professional websites, online stores, and booking systems for Nigerian businesses, set up so customers can find you on Google, trust you, and pay you.

Talk to us:

Need help getting your business verified on Google? Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.