When someone in your area searches for “plumber near me”, “hair salon Pretoria” or “web designer in Centurion”, Google shows a map with a short list of businesses before it shows any website. Those listings come from Google Business Profile, and it is free. For most local businesses it is the fastest way to be seen by people who are ready to buy.

Why it matters

A profile puts your phone number, opening hours, address, photos, reviews and website in front of customers at the exact moment they are looking. Customers can call you, ask for directions or message you without ever opening a website. If you do not have a profile, or yours is half empty, those customers go to the competitor who does.

Set it up in 8 steps

1. Sign in with a Google account that belongs to the business. Use a shared business email, not a personal one you might lose access to.
2. Search for your business name on Google Maps first. If a listing already exists, claim it instead of creating a duplicate.
3. Enter your exact business name. Use the name customers see on your signage and invoices. Do not add keywords such as “Best Cheap Plumber Pretoria” to the name; Google can suspend profiles that do this.
4. Choose the right main category. This is one of the most important settings. “Web designer” and “Internet marketing service” are different categories, so choose the one that describes what you mostly do, then add secondary categories for other services.
5. Add your address or service area. If customers visit you, add the address. If you travel to customers, hide the address and list the areas you serve instead.
6. Add a phone number and website. Use a number you actually answer. Your website address should point to a page that clearly explains what you do.
7. Set your opening hours. Update them for public holidays and December closures. Wrong hours are a common source of bad reviews.
8. Verify the profile. Google will ask you to confirm the business is real. Depending on the business, this may be by video, phone, email or a postcard. Follow the options it shows you.

Fill in everything after verification

• Photos: add a logo, a cover photo, photos of your premises, your team and your work. Real photos beat stock images.
• Description: write two or three plain sentences about what you do, who for and where. Do not stuff it with keywords.
• Services or products: list what you offer, with short descriptions and prices where you can.
• Posts: share an offer, a new product or a recent project once or twice a month.
• Messaging and booking links: turn on the options that match how you take enquiries.

Reviews are the engine

Profiles with recent, genuine reviews usually win more calls. Ask happy customers for a review right after a job goes well, send them the direct review link, and reply to every review politely, including the negative ones. Never buy reviews or offer rewards for them, because that breaks Google’s rules.

Keep your details consistent

Your business name, address and phone number should look the same on your Google profile, your website, your social media pages and any business directory. Mismatches confuse both customers and search engines.

Common mistakes

• Creating a second profile for the same business.
• Choosing a vague category such as “Business” or “Service”.
• Leaving the profile unverified.
• Never replying to reviews or messages.
• Not linking to a website that works well on a phone.

Your website still matters

Your profile gets people to look, but your website is where they decide to trust you. Make sure it loads quickly, works on a phone and has your contact details and a clear next step. If you need a website to link to, see our website packages or talk to us.

Next step: set aside 30 minutes this week, claim or create your profile, and complete every section. Then ask your five best customers for a review.