Google Business Profile (GBP)—formerly Google My Business—is the free listing that controls how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. For most local businesses in India, it’s the single most important online presence to maintain.
Done correctly, a GBP can drive phone calls, website visits, and foot traffic—for free. Here’s how to do it correctly.
Step 1: Create or Claim Your Listing
Go to business.google.com and search for your business. If it already exists (Google sometimes auto-creates listings from Maps data), claim it. If it doesn’t exist, create a new one.
You’ll need a Google account. Use your business email, not a personal Gmail, for professional continuity.
Fill in your exact business name as it appears on your signage and invoices. Avoid adding keywords to your business name (e.g., "Krishna Salon - Best Salon in Pune")—Google considers this spam and may penalise your listing.
Step 2: Choose Your Categories Carefully
Your primary category is the most critical field in your entire GBP. Google uses it to match your listing to relevant searches. Be specific: "Orthopedic Surgeon" beats "Doctor"; "Udupi Restaurant" beats "Restaurant".
Add secondary categories for all relevant services. A gym might add "Yoga Studio", "Personal Trainer", and "Fitness Centre" as additional categories. Each secondary category expands the searches you can appear for.
Step 3: Add Accurate Location and Contact Information
Enter your complete address including building name, floor, and landmark—Indian addresses often need more context than PIN codes provide. Place the map pin precisely at your entrance, not the middle of the building.
Add your primary phone number (landline or mobile) and your website URL. If you don’t have a website, link to your WhatsApp Business number using a wa.me link as a temporary measure.
Set your hours accurately, including holiday hours and any days you’re closed. Incorrect hours are one of the most common sources of negative reviews ("I drove all the way there and they were closed!").
Step 4: Write a Compelling Business Description
You have 750 characters. Use them well. Write in plain, natural language describing what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different. Include your primary services and your city/area.
Example for a dental clinic: "Dr. Mehta’s Dental Clinic offers comprehensive dental care including teeth whitening, orthodontics, and implants in Koramangala, Bangalore. Our team of experienced dentists provides painless treatment in a calm, hygienic environment. Serving families in South Bangalore since 2012."
Avoid keyword stuffing. Write for the patient, not for the algorithm.
Step 5: Upload High-Quality Photos
Listings with photos receive significantly more interactions than those without. Upload at minimum: your storefront (exterior), your interior, your team or owner, and your key products or services.
Use natural lighting. A photo taken in good natural light on a smartphone is better than a blurry photo from a professional camera. Update photos seasonally—a Diwali-decorated storefront or a new menu item shows an active, engaged business.
Add a cover photo and a logo. These appear prominently in your listing and in Maps.
Step 6: Verify Your Listing
Google requires verification before your listing is fully active. For most businesses in India, this is done via a postcard sent to your registered address (takes 5–14 days). Some businesses are eligible for phone or video verification.
Do not make major changes to your listing while awaiting verification—this can restart the verification process.
Ongoing Maintenance: What to Do Every Month
A GBP is not "set and forget". Update it regularly: respond to all reviews within 24 hours, add Google Posts for offers or news, upload new photos, and update hours for holidays and seasonal changes.
Check your Q&A section—customers may have posted questions that need answers. Answer them promptly and accurately.
Once a quarter, audit your information for accuracy: has your phone number changed? Did you open a new branch? Has your service offering expanded? Keep every field current.