When someone searches "plumber near me" or "web designer Johannesburg", Google shows a map with a short list of businesses before any website. That list comes from Google Business Profiles. For local businesses it is often the single biggest source of calls, and it is free to set up.
Step 1: Create or claim your profile
Go to Google Business Profile, sign in with a Google account you will keep long term, and search for your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it; otherwise create a new one. Use your real business name exactly as customers know it.
Step 2: Storefront or service area
If customers visit you, add your address. If you travel to customers or work from home, set up a service-area business: you hide your address and list the areas you serve instead. Do not use a fake or virtual office address; it breaks Google's guidelines and can get the profile suspended.
Step 3: Verify
Google decides how you verify. It is often a short video showing your business location, signage or equipment, and sometimes a phone call, email or postcard. Until you are verified, your profile will not show publicly, so complete this promptly.
Step 4: Choose the right primary category
Your primary category is one of the strongest signals for which searches you appear in. Pick the most specific match ("Website designer" rather than "Consultant"), then add secondary categories for other services you genuinely offer.
Step 5: Complete everything
- Services with short descriptions and prices where you can.
- Hours, including public holidays.
- Photos of your work, team and premises. Real photos beat stock images.
- Website and WhatsApp links so people can act immediately.
- Description in plain language: what you do, for whom, and where.
Step 6: Reviews, the ranking engine
The number, rating and freshness of your reviews influence both your ranking and whether people call. Ask every happy customer, every time, with a direct review link. Reply to every review, positive or negative, politely and specifically. Never buy reviews or review your own business; Google removes them and can penalise the profile.
Step 7: Stay active
Post updates, offers and new photos regularly. Keep your name, phone number and area identical on your website, Facebook page and directories so Google trusts the details.
Mistakes that hurt your ranking
- Stuffing keywords into the business name ("One3 Best Web Design Johannesburg Cheap").
- Choosing a vague primary category.
- Different phone numbers or names across the web.
- Ignoring reviews.
Want it done for you?
One3 sets up or cleans up your Google Business Profile for R399, including categories, services, photos, first posts and a review strategy. See SEO and Google Business Profile.