Fix the details on your Google Business Profile

An existing profile with wrong details does more damage than no profile at all. A client who rings a dead number does not try again. These are the errors we see most often on South African law firm profiles, and the fix for each.

The phone number rings nowhere

Often it is an old landline from before a move, or a number that only reception's desk phone answers after hours. Open your profile, edit the primary phone, and put in the number a person actually answers. You can add a second number — put the mobile there if calls divert to it. Then ring it yourself from outside the office to be sure.

The address is wrong or the pin is in the wrong place

Edit the address in the profile, then drag the map pin to the actual front door of the building. In office parks and CBD buildings the automatic pin is often on the wrong street. Add the building name and floor in the address line so a client can find you.

The hours are out of date

• Set your normal weekly hours, including a lunch close if you close.
• Add special hours for public holidays and the December shutdown. Google prompts you before each public holiday — take thirty seconds and answer it.
• If you are closed on Saturdays, say so. "Closed" is better than nothing, which reads as uncertainty.

The category is wrong or too vague

Your primary category should be "Law firm". Then add the categories that match your work: Conveyancer, Divorce lawyer, Estate planning attorney, Labour relations attorney, Personal injury attorney. Category is one of the strongest signals for what searches you show up in, and most firms leave it at one generic entry.

There are two profiles for one firm

Duplicates split your reviews and confuse Google. In your profile manager, report the duplicate and ask Google to merge them into the one you have verified. Keep the older one with more reviews wherever possible.

Someone else controls the profile

A former marketing supplier or a departed employee often still owns the login. Use the "Request access" flow on the profile — Google emails the current owner, and if they do not respond within seven days you can escalate and take ownership. Start it today; the clock only runs once you begin.

Nothing has been posted in years

You do not need to post weekly. One or two updates a quarter — an office move, a new attorney, a note on a change in the law that affects clients — keeps the profile looking maintained.

After you have made your corrections, wait for Google to publish them, then request a re-scan on your dashboard.