Google Business Profile Checklist for Monaghan Businesses

When someone in Emyvale searches "electrician near me" or a visitor in Carrickmacross types "coffee open now", Google shows three businesses in a map pack. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) decides whether you're one of them.

This checklist covers everything a Monaghan business needs to do. Tick items off as you go — your progress is saved on this device. Print it or save it as a PDF to work through with your team or accountant.

Time needed: about 2 hours for setup, then 15 minutes a week.

Part 1: Claim and verify (do these first)

• Search your business name on Google Maps — check if a profile already exists before creating a new one
• Claim or create your profile at business.google.com using a business email you'll keep long-term (not a staff member's personal Gmail)
• Complete verification (video, phone, email or postcard — Google chooses the method)
• Add at least one other trusted person as an owner or manager, so you're never locked out
• Remove or report any duplicate profiles for your business

Part 2: Get the basics exactly right

• Business name matches your real-world signage exactly — no extra keywords (adding "Best Plumber Monaghan" to your name can get you suspended)
• Primary category is the most specific one available (e.g. "Hardware store" not "Store")
• Add 2–5 relevant secondary categories
• Address uses your Eircode, and the pin sits on your actual door, not the middle of the town
• If you travel to customers (trades, mobile services), hide your address and set service areas: e.g. Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones, Ballybay — plus Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan or Louth if you cover them
• Phone number is a local landline (047, 042) or a mobile you always answer
• Website link goes to the most relevant page (add UTM tracking if you use analytics)
• Opening hours are complete
• Special hours added for bank holidays, Christmas, St Patrick's Day and fair days

Part 3: Make your profile convince people

• Write a 750-character business description: what you do, who for, and which Monaghan towns you serve. Write for people, not for Google
• Add "Opening date" (shows you're established)
• Add all relevant attributes (wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, women-led, card payments, etc.)
• List your products or services with prices where you can
• Upload a logo and a cover photo
• Upload at least 10 real photos: shopfront (so people recognise it from the road), interior, team, work examples, parking
• Add a short video (10–30 seconds) of your premises or team at work
• Add booking, menu or quote links if relevant

Part 4: Reviews — build useful customer feedback

• Get your short review link from the GBP dashboard ("Ask for reviews")
• Put the link on receipts, invoices, email signatures and a QR code at your till
• Invite customers to leave an honest review, without selecting only satisfied customers or offering incentives
• Reply to every review within 48 hours, good or bad. Thank people by name; mention the service and town naturally
• Never buy reviews or offer discounts in exchange for them — Google removes them and can suspend your profile

Part 5: Keep it active (weekly / monthly)

• Post an update at least once a week (offers, new stock, finished jobs, events, club sponsorships)
• Answer questions in the Q&A section — and add your own common FAQs
• Add new photos every month
• Check "Performance" monthly: searches, calls, direction requests
• Check for unwanted edits ("Google updates") and reject anything wrong

Part 6: Back up your profile with local citations

Consistent details help customers identify and contact the right business.

• List your business free on monaghanbusinesses.ie with the exact same name, address and phone (NAP)
• Check your NAP matches on Facebook, Golden Pages, Apple Maps (Apple Business Connect) and Bing Places
• Get listed by your chamber of commerce, trade body and any club you sponsor (see our Community & Clubs Hub)

Common mistakes we see in Monaghan

1. Pin in the wrong townland. Rural Eircodes sometimes drop the pin on the road. Drag it to your actual entrance.
2. "Monaghan" stuffed into the business name. It's against Google's rules. Put town names in your description and posts instead.
3. Hours never updated. Nothing loses a customer faster than driving from Scotstown to a closed door.
4. One-off setup, then nothing. Keep opening hours, photos and responses accurate; no particular ranking is guaranteed.

FAQs

Is a Google Business Profile free?

Yes. Creating and running a profile costs nothing. Be wary of anyone who calls claiming to be "from Google" and asking for payment.

My business is run from home. Do I have to show my address?

No. Set your profile as a service-area business, hide the address and list the towns and counties you cover.

Can I serve customers in Northern Ireland from my profile?

Yes. Add areas such as Armagh, Fermanagh or Tyrone to your service areas. See our cross-border trade guide for more.

Who can help me locally?

LEO Monaghan runs digital marketing training and the Grow Digital supports. See our grants and supports guide.

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Want a head start? Add your business to monaghanbusinesses.ie for free — it's one more place for customers to find accurate details.