How to Set Up a Google Business Profile and Safely Transfer Management Access

Info Work Travel Invest
Jan 9
3 min read

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important assets your business owns online. It controls how you show up in Google Search and Maps, how customers find you, and how reviews are managed.

This guide walks through how to set up a Google Business Profile correctly and how to give someone else access to manage it without losing ownership or control.

What This Guide Covers

How to create a Google Business Profile from scratch
How to verify your business
How access levels work
How to safely transfer management or delegate access

This applies whether you’re doing it yourself or working with a marketing partner.

Part 1. Creating Your Google Business Profile

Step 1. Start with the correct Google account

Use a Google account you own and control. Ideally, this is tied to your business, not a personal account you plan to abandon later.

This account should remain the long-term owner of the profile.

Step 2. Create the profile

Go to Google Business Profile and search for your business name.

If it exists, claim it
If it doesn’t, create a new profile

Enter:

Exact business name
Primary business category
Physical address or service area
Phone number
Website URL

Be accurate. Do not stuff keywords into the business name.

Step 3. Verify your business

Google will require verification before your profile is fully active.

Verification methods may include:

Postcard
Phone call
Email
Video verification

Follow the method Google provides. Do not create duplicate profiles if verification takes time.

Step 4. Complete the profile setup

Once verified, fill out everything:

Business description
Hours
Services or products
Photos and logo

A complete profile performs better than a partial one.

Part 2. Understanding Access Levels in Google Business Profile

Before adding anyone, it’s important to understand roles.

Primary Owner

Full control
Can add or remove anyone
Can transfer ownership

There can only be one primary owner.

Owner

Nearly full access
Cannot remove the primary owner

Manager

Can manage posts, photos, reviews
Cannot change ownership or critical settings

For most agencies or vendors, Manager access is enough.

Part 3. How to Add or Transfer Management Access

Step 1. Log into Google Business Profile

Step 2. Select the correct business

If you manage more than one profile, choose the correct location.

Step 3. Open access settings

Click the three-dot menu
Select Business Profile settings
Choose People and access

Step 4. Add a user

Click Add
Enter the email address
Select the appropriate role
Send the invitation

The invited user must accept the email before access is active.

Step 5. Transferring ownership (only if necessary)

Ownership transfers should be done cautiously.

If transferring:

Promote the new user to Owner
Wait at least 7 days
Assign them as Primary Owner

Do not remove yourself until you confirm the transfer is complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Giving Primary Owner access too early
Using a personal Google account you don’t control
Creating duplicate listings
Using the wrong business category
Ignoring verification issues instead of resolving them

Most Google Business Profile problems come from rushed setup or poor access management.

Best Practices Going Forward

Keep ownership with the business, not a vendor
Limit access to what’s actually needed
Review profile details quarterly
Respond to reviews consistently
Update hours and services as your business changes

Your Google Business Profile is not “set and forget.”

Practical Next Steps

Confirm who owns your Google Business Profile
Verify all profile details are accurate
Review who has access and at what level
Connect your website and tracking tools
Create a process for reviews and updates

Final Thought

Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression customers have of your business. When it’s set up correctly and access is handled carefully, it becomes a powerful asset instead of a liability.

Control matters. Clarity matters. Ownership matters.

This guide exists so you can manage all three with confidence.