Google Business Profile: the free listing most businesses get wrong

When someone searches for "plumber Durban North" or "nail salon near me", Google usually shows a map with three businesses before any websites. Those three get most of the calls. Your Google Business Profile is how you get into that list, and it's free.

Set it up properly

• Claim and verify it at google.com/business. Google will confirm you're the owner, often with a code by post, phone or video.
• Choose the right category. Be specific: "Hair salon" beats "Beauty". You can add secondary categories too.
• Match your details everywhere. Your name, address and phone number should be exactly the same on Google, your website and social pages.

Fill in everything

Profiles with hours, photos, services and a description get more clicks than half-empty ones. Add your trading hours (including public holidays), a short description of what you do, and your services with "from" prices if you can.

Photos matter more than you think

Add real photos of your work, your premises and your team. Update them every month or two. Customers want to see what they're getting before they call.

Reviews are the deciding factor

Ask happy customers for a review, and make it easy by sending them your review link on WhatsApp. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely. A calm, helpful reply to a bad review often impresses future customers more than a perfect score.

Connect it to your website

Your profile should link to your website, and your website should make it easy to contact you. Google notices when people search, click and get in touch, and it rewards businesses that are genuinely useful to searchers.