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When someone searches for what you sell near them, Google often shows a map with three businesses before any website. Those come from Google Business Profile. A complete, active profile is one of the cheapest ways for a local business to get calls, directions and enquiries.
Set a timer for 15 minutes and work through this list.
1. Claim and verify your profile
Search for your business on Google Maps. If it already exists, choose Claim this business; if not, create it at business.google.com. Google will ask you to verify, usually with a video of your shop, a call or a postcard. Nothing else on this list counts until the profile is verified.
2. Get the basics exactly right
- Business name: your real name, as it appears on your signboard. Adding keywords like "Best Cafe in Rishikesh" breaks Google's rules and can get the profile suspended.
- Primary category: the single most accurate one. It matters more than anything else you fill in. Add a few secondary categories for other things you do.
- Address or service area: show your address if customers visit you; set a service area if you go to them.
- Hours: add normal hours and special hours for festivals and holidays, so nobody arrives to a closed door.
- Phone and website: use a number that someone actually answers.
3. Write a description people want to read
You have 750 characters. Say what you do, who it is for and why people choose you, in plain words. Mention your area naturally. Skip links, prices and offers here; there are better places for those.
4. Add real photos
Profiles with good photos look more trustworthy. Start with:
- your logo and a cover photo
- the outside of your shop, so people recognise it
- the inside, your team and your work
- new photos every month, not a dozen once a year
5. List your products or services
Add each main service with a one-line description. It helps Google match you to more searches and helps customers understand what you offer before they call.
6. Ask for reviews and reply to every one
Reviews are one of the strongest local signals. Ask every happy customer, and make it easy: copy your review link from the profile and send it on WhatsApp. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and within a few days. Never buy reviews or offer something in return for them.
7. Post every week
Use Add update to share offers, events, new work or tips. Posts show on your profile and tell Google the business is active. One short post a week with a photo is enough.
8. Check your numbers once a month
Open Performance to see how many people found you, called, asked for directions or visited your website. If calls drop, look at your photos, reviews and posts first.
The 15-minute version
- Verified profile, correct name and primary category
- Hours, phone and website filled in
- A clear description and at least 10 real photos
- Services listed
- A review link ready to send
- One post this week
Do this once properly, then spend 10 minutes a week on reviews, photos and a post. If you want us to check your profile, the free audit scores it out of 100 and lists the quick wins.
