Before you create a new Google Business Profile (GBP), it’s important to check if one already exists for your business. Many business listings are automatically created by Google based on public information or customer activity—even if you’ve never set one up yourself. If your business is already showing up on Google Maps or in search results, the next step is to claim and verify that profile instead of creating a new one. This helps avoid confusion for customers and ensures you don’t end up with a duplicate listing, which can not only hurt your visibility and credibility but also get your profile suspended!


A Google Business Profile is a free tool that helps your business appear in local search results and on Google Maps. It shows important information like your hours, phone number, address, website, photos, and customer reviews—all in one easy-to-find place. Claiming your GBP gives you full control over this information so you can keep it accurate and up to date. It also allows you to respond to reviews, add new photos, and post updates to connect with potential customers.


Even if you're not very tech-savvy, claiming your GBP is a quick and straightforward process—and you're not alone. The BarnDealer support team is here to help you every step of the way. Let’s walk through how to find and claim your existing business profile so you can start getting the most out of it.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Claim Your Google Business Profile


This article will walk you through how to claim an existing Google Business Profile. If your profile has already been claimed or you need to create a GBP from scratch, check out one of these other articles:

Creating your GBP

Completing Video Verification for your GBP

Getting your GBP un-Suspended

Add your portable buildings dealership to your current GBP



Step 1: Check if a Profile Already Exists


1) Go to Google Maps or open a Google Search.

2) Type in your business name and city (you can also try just putting your address)

3) If your business appears in the search results (like the image below) or on the map, click on it.

4) On the business profile, look for a link that says "Own this business?" or "Claim this business" - usually near the bottom of the profile under the business information


✅ If you don't see your business, that likely means no profile exists. You can create a new one instead - check out our guide on How to Create a Google Business Profile


 

Step 2 Start the Claim Process

1) Click "Own this business?" or "Claim this business" on the profile
2) Sign in using the Google account you want associated with your business (create one easily here if you don't have one)

3) Review the business details and make any corrections if needed

  • Make sure to follow the tips in Step 4.


Step 3: Choose a Verification Method

To make sure you're the rightful owner of the business, Google will ask you to verify your identity. The most common verification methods are:

  • Video: The most common way - This can be difficult to accomplish but we've made an article to guide you through this: How to Complete Google Business Profile Video Verification.
  • Phone or Text: If eligible you may be able to receive a code via call or SMS.
  • Email: Some businesses are given the option to verify through email
  • Postcard by Mail: Google will mail a postcard with a verification code on it. This usually takes 5-7 business days

Once you receive the code, enter it into the verification screen to complete the process.


Step 4: Access and Update Your Profile

After verification, you'll be able to log into your Google Business dashboard to manage your profile. From here you can:

  • Update your business hours, phone number, and address - make sure they are accurate by what Google says the the address is (might be different than 911 or your city address)
  • Add 3-5 high-quality photos - Having photos that showcase your lot (esp. one from street/sidewalk view), office, and/or favorite buildings is extremely helpful
  • Write a business description - make it natural and sound like you wrote it. Google doesn't crawl business descriptions for SEO keywords so it's better to have this tell your customers who you are and why you're in business.
  • Respond to reviews  - responding to reviews makes customers more likely to leave a review and more trusting of you as a business owner
  • Post updates and promotions - Google likes to see updates and promotions, so do customers! If you're not sure how to do this, though. it's not a big factor and not doing so, won't negatively impact your search results a lot.


Troubleshooting & Special Cases

❓Someone Else Already Claimed Your Business?

If someone else already claimed the profile, you'll see a message during the claim process. You can request ownership from Google by clicking "Request Access" and following the instructions (go to business.google.com and click "Add Business" in the top right). Google will email the current owner, and if they don't respond within 7 days, you may be allowed to claim it.


❓Can't Verify?

If you have trouble receiving your postcard or another issue during verification, double-check that your business address is correct and try again. Still stuck? Contact BarnDealer Support by chatting with us here, emailing us (support@barndealer.com), and we'll help walk you through it.


Final Thoughts

Claiming your Google Business Profile is one of the best ways to boost your local visibility and attract more customers online. It takes just a few minutes to get started and puts you in control of how your business appears on Google. If you have questions or get stuck during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out—our BarnDealer support team is here to help!