Google Business Profile for vacation rentals: full setup guide

When someone searches for "rooms near the beach" or the name of your village, the first thing they often see is the map and the local businesses on it. That's exactly where you want your property to appear. And that's why you need a Google Business Profile. It used to be called Google My Business. Whether you run a hotel or a rooms-to-let, the idea is the same: a free listing that helps travelers find you on Google Search and Google Maps.

This guide is written in plain language, no technical jargon. If you manage your property yourself and want to understand what you're doing and why, you're in the right place. For the bigger SEO picture, see our SEO guide for vacation rentals.

What is a Google Business Profile, and why should I care

Your Google Business Profile (GBP for short) is your business's official listing on Google. It appears next to the search results or on the map, with your name, address, phone number, photos, hours, reviews, and a link to your website.

For a vacation rental, a Google Business Profile means that when someone types your area or the type of stay you offer, you have a shot at appearing in the local results. It doesn't replace your website — it works alongside it. Many guests check the map first, then open a site or pick up the phone.

If you're wondering how to show up on Google Maps, the answer starts here: without a verified profile, your property is nearly invisible on the map as an accommodation business. With a properly completed profile, you dramatically improve your chances of being seen when travelers search nearby.

Local SEO: what it has to do with your property

Local SEO simply means showing up when someone searches for something in your area. Google wants to surface results that match both the location and what you actually offer.

Your Business Profile is one of the strongest signals you can send Google: where you are, what kind of business you are, whether you're active, and whether guests are reviewing you. The more complete and consistent your profile, the better your visibility in local searches and on Maps. Your website and your profile work as a team — each one confirms the other.

Note: the old name Google My Business — whether for a hotel or a rooms-to-let — refers to the same thing. Today the official name is Google Business Profile.

Step by step: setting up your profile from scratch

1. Create your account

Open business.google.com on your computer or phone. Sign in with the Google account you want to use for the property (ideally a stable one, not a personal email you might change).

Click to add your business. Enter your official business name exactly as you want the world to see it. Don't stuff the name with keywords that aren't part of your actual brand. Google treats this as a violation and may correct the name.

2. Category and subcategories

Choose the primary category that best describes what you are — hotel, guest rooms, bed and breakfast, depending on the options in the menu. Then add additional categories if they fit. The right category helps Google show you in relevant searches.

3. Address and service area

Enter your exact address if you welcome guests there. If your property is in a remote spot, make sure the map pin sits precisely on the right location. Guests searching on Maps want to find your entrance, not drive in circles.

4. Phone, website, hours

List one phone number you actually answer, or one that leads to a booking. Add your website address if you have one. For opening hours, vacation rentals often choose "open 24 hours" or check-in hours if the system allows it. Keep them current — especially if you operate seasonally.

5. Verification

Google wants proof that your business is real. It usually sends a postcard with a code to your address, or offers alternative methods depending on the country. Until verification is complete, your profile may face restrictions. Get this step done as soon as possible.

Optimization: photos, description, details

Photos

Upload plenty of good photos: the exterior, common areas, rooms, the view, the bathroom, breakfast if you serve it. Refresh the album now and then with images from different seasons. Travelers decide with their eyes before they read a word.

Description

In your business description, explain in plain English what you offer, where you're located, and why guests should choose you. One or two paragraphs is enough. Natural language — not a list of keywords repeated for no reason.

Attributes and Q&A

Fill in every field the menu offers: parking, Wi-Fi, wheelchair access, pets, and so on. The more complete your listing, the more useful it is for guests — and for Google's search system.

Google reviews: why they matter and how to collect them

Reviews build trust and shape how travelers see you on your profile. Never buy fake reviews. Instead, politely ask happy guests to leave a genuine review after their stay.

For more practical ideas, see our guide on how to get more Google reviews. Reply to every review — thank guests for the positive ones, and respond calmly to the negative ones.

Posts and updates

Inside your Business Profile you can publish news, offers, events, and photos from the season. You don't need to post daily. Even one update a month shows Google — and travelers — that the business is alive. Keep posts short, and include dates when they matter.

Connecting your website

Add the correct link to your website in your profile. If you have a booking or contact page, that's often the best destination for clicks. Your website and your profile should show the same core details: name, address, phone. Inconsistency confuses guests and hurts how you look online.

Want to avoid the mistakes we see Greek properties make again and again? Take a look at 5 mistakes Greek vacation rentals make online.

The bottom line

Google Business Profile is free, it's the central place where you appear on Google and Maps, and it deserves the same care as the sign outside your front door. Set it up properly, verify it, fill it with photos and details, collect genuine reviews, and post an update every now and then.

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Want a website that works hand in hand with Google?

A professional website — fast and clean — helps guests book directly with you and reinforces everything you do with SEO and your Business Profile. At MyStaySite we build websites for vacation rentals with clear messaging and technical support, without unnecessary complexity.

See examples of our work and get in touch when you're ready to discuss your own project. We're here to help you look the way you deserve — from Google all the way down to the last detail of your online presence.