Starting a business is already overwhelming. Social media shouldn't be another all-day project.
Here's the complete, no-fluff checklist for getting your business set up on social media — in the order that matters most.
Phase 1: The Essentials (Do This Today)
☐ Google Business Profile
Why it matters: This is the #1 factor in local search visibility. When someone searches "[your service] near me," this is what determines whether you show up.
What you need:
- Business name, address, phone number
- Business hours
- Primary category (be specific — "Emergency Plumber" not "Home Services")
- 750-character business description
- 5-10 photos (exterior, interior, team, work samples)
Full setup guide →
☐ Facebook Business Page
Why it matters: Referral validation. When someone hears about you from a friend, they check Facebook first.
What you need:
- Business name and category
- 255-character "About" section
- Profile photo (your logo, 170x170px)
- Cover photo (820x312px)
- Contact info, hours, website URL
☐ Instagram Business Profile
Why it matters: Visual proof that your business is real, active, and professional.
What you need:
- 150-character bio with location and CTA
- Profile photo (your logo)
- Convert to a Business account (gives you analytics and contact buttons)
- Link in bio to your website or booking page
Phase 2: Industry-Specific Platforms (Do This Week)
☐ LinkedIn Company Page (B2B / Professional Services)
Who needs this: Lawyers, accountants, consultants, coaches, financial advisors, real estate agents, B2B companies.
What you need:
- 2,000-character About section (use all of it — LinkedIn rewards longer descriptions)
- Company logo and banner image
- Industry, company size, website URL
☐ Pinterest Business Account (Visual Industries)
Who needs this: Salons, restaurants, photographers, wedding vendors, retail, home services, interior designers.
What you need:
- 500-character bio
- Website claim (gives you analytics on pins from your site)
- 3-5 boards organized by service or category
☐ Bluesky / Threads (Growth-Oriented Businesses)
Who needs this: Anyone who wants early-mover advantage on growing platforms.
What you need:
- 256-character bio (Bluesky) or 150-character bio (Threads)
- Profile photo
- A few initial posts so your profile isn't empty
Phase 3: The Details That Matter
☐ Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
Your business name, address, and phone number should be identical across every platform. Not "Johnson Plumbing" on Google and "Johnson's Plumbing LLC" on Facebook. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and hurt your ranking.
☐ Profile Photo = Your Logo (Everywhere)
Use the same logo on every platform. Consistency builds recognition. If your logo is complex, use a simplified version that's readable at 40x40 pixels.
☐ Cover Photos / Banner Images
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter all have cover/banner images. Use them. An empty cover photo slot screams "we set this up in 30 seconds and never came back."
☐ Website Links
Every platform lets you add a website URL. Link to your homepage or (better) a dedicated landing page. Don't leave this blank.
☐ First 3 Posts
An empty profile is almost worse than no profile. Before you "launch" on any platform, publish at least 3 posts so visitors see activity.
The 15-Minute Shortcut
This checklist has 20+ items across 6+ platforms. Done manually, that's a full afternoon.
Glow Social's free Profile Kit handles most of this in about 15 minutes:
- Scans your website and pulls your business info automatically
- Generates bios for all 8 platforms at the exact character limits
- Downloads your logo and images as PNGs
- Gives you direct "Create Account" links for every platform
- Shows which platforms you're already on vs. which ones you need
No login required. No credit card. Just your website URL.
After Setup: The Ongoing Checklist
Setting up profiles is a one-time task. Here's the recurring checklist to keep them working for you:
Weekly:
- ☐ Publish at least 1 post per platform
- ☐ Respond to any reviews or messages
- ☐ Check for new Google reviews
Monthly:
- ☐ Review and update business hours if needed
- ☐ Add new photos (work samples, team, events)
- ☐ Check for profile completeness warnings
Quarterly:
- ☐ Update bios with any new services or offers
- ☐ Review analytics — which platforms drive the most traffic?
- ☐ Clean up any outdated info
If the weekly posting is the part that never happens, Glow Social does it for you — $99/month for professional content across all your platforms. But step one is always getting set up: start with your free Profile Kit.
