Google Business Profile: A Step-by-Step Setup Guide for Local Businesses

When someone in your town searches "salon near me" or "computer service Pondicherry", the businesses shown on the map come from Google Business Profile. It is free, and for many local businesses it brings more calls than the website itself.

Step 1: Create or claim your profile

Go to google.com/business and sign in with the Google account you want to manage it from (use a business account, not a staff member's personal one). Search for your business name — if it already exists, claim it; otherwise create it.

Step 2: Choose the right category

The primary category matters most for which searches you appear in. Pick the most specific option that matches what you mainly sell ("Beauty salon" rather than "Shop"). You can add a few secondary categories.

Step 3: Verify

Google will ask you to verify — usually by video, phone or postcard depending on the business. Until you verify, your edits may not show.

Step 4: Fill in everything

• Name: your real business name only. Adding keywords ("Best Salon Pondicherry Cheap") can get the profile suspended.
• Address and service area: exactly as on your signboard and website.
• Phone and website: use the same number everywhere online.
• Hours: including holiday hours — wrong hours lead to angry reviews.
• Services and products: list them with short descriptions and prices if you can.

Step 5: Add real photos

Add your shop front (so people can find you), interior, team and work. Profiles with good photos get more clicks. Add a few new ones every month.

Step 6: Ask for reviews — and reply

Ask happy customers for a review right after a good experience; share the review link on WhatsApp. Reply to every review, including negative ones, politely and briefly. Never buy reviews — Google removes them and may penalise you.

Step 7: Keep it alive

Post an update or offer every week or two, answer questions in the Q&A, and update hours before festivals. An active profile signals a real, open business.