Why Your Google Account Is the Heart of Your Business

A Costly Lesson: Why Only the Business Owner Should Control Their Google Business Profile

I know someone a small business owner who learned a very important lesson the hard way.

She runs a small shop and never really thought much about her online presence. One day, a loyal customer decided to be “helpful” and created a Google Business Profile for her shop. The customer had good intentions… they wanted to make it easy for others to find her business online.

But here’s the problem:

The Google Business Profile was created under the customer’s personal account, not the business owner’s. The owner had no idea this even happened. She didn’t receive any verification emails, didn’t set a password, and had no control over the listing.

Weeks later, when the owner finally decided to set up her own Google Business Profile she got an unexpected message:

❌ “This business has already been claimed.”

She tried to request access, but the customer who created it was nowhere to be found. No contact number. No response. She was completely locked out of her own business profile.

The only way forward was to file a dispute with Google a long and stressful process that involved submitting proof of ownership and waiting for Google’s review. What should have been a simple setup turned into a frustrating delay that affected her online visibility and customer trust.

The Big Lesson:

Never create a Google Business Profile if it’s not your business unless the owner asks you to do it and gives you permission and payment for the service.

And if you’re the business owner, make sure:

• You create and own the Google Business Profile.

• If you hire someone to help, you should have full access they should only be added as a manager.

• Keep your login details and verification information safe.

Your Google Business Profile is like your digital storefront. It’s what customers see when they search for your business. If you don’t own it, someone else does and that’s a dangerous position to be in.

So whether you’re a business owner or someone helping a business, remember this:
👉 Ownership matters more than convenience.