Putting your business on Google Maps

When someone searches for "pharmacy near me" or your business name, Google shows a box with a map, opening hours, a phone number and reviews. That is a Google Business Profile. It is free, and for a shop, restaurant, salon, school, church, clinic or office it often brings more customers than a website.

Create it

1. Go to google.com/business and sign in with a Google account the business will keep. Use a business Gmail rather than an employee's personal one, so it does not leave with them.
2. Search for your business. If it already exists (customers sometimes add businesses), choose Claim this business.
3. Enter the business name exactly as it appears on your signboard. Do not add extra keywords; Google can suspend profiles for that.
4. Choose the most accurate category, for example "Hardware store" or "Hair salon".
5. Add your location by placing the pin carefully on the map. In areas where street addresses are unclear, describe it the way customers give directions, and add your Ghana Post GPS digital address in the description if you have one.
6. If you serve customers at their location (plumbers, caterers, delivery), you can hide your address and list the areas you serve instead.
7. Add your phone number, WhatsApp-friendly if possible, and website or social media link.

Verify it

Google needs to confirm the business is real before the profile shows publicly. Depending on the business it may offer a phone call or SMS, an email, or a short video where you film the signboard, the inside of the business and something showing you manage it (such as keys or equipment). Follow the steps exactly; a rejected video can usually be resubmitted.

Make it work for you

• Photos: the front of the building (so people recognise it), the inside, your products, your team. Businesses with photos get far more requests for directions.
• Hours: keep them accurate, including public holidays. Nothing loses a customer faster than arriving to a closed door.
• Reviews: ask happy customers to leave one. Reply to every review, including bad ones, politely and briefly. Never pay for fake reviews; Google removes them and can suspend the profile.
• Posts and products: add offers, new stock and events. They appear on your profile.
• Messages: turn on chat if you can reply quickly.

Check it now and then

Anyone can suggest edits to a public profile, including changing your phone number. Open your profile every few weeks to check the details are still yours, and keep at least two people as managers in case one loses access.