A Google Business Profile is the free listing that puts your business on Google Maps and in the map results at the top of a search. For a local business it is often the first thing a new customer sees, before your website and before your social media.
In short
Go to business.google.com, add your business name and category, choose whether customers visit you or you visit them, and verify. Then fill in every field, add real photos and ask happy clients for reviews from day one.
Why it matters
Search for “plumber Hermanus” or “web designer near me” and Google shows a map with three businesses before any website. Those three get most of the calls. Your profile decides whether you are one of them.
It matters even more in a spread-out region like the Overberg. Whether your customers are in Onrus, Sandbaai, Stanford or Gansbaai, Google uses your profile to work out which areas you serve and how close you are to the person searching.
Before you start
Have these ready and the setup takes about twenty minutes:
- A Google account for the business, not a personal one you might lose access to.
- Your exact business name, written the way it appears on your signage and website. No extra keywords.
- Phone number, website and trading hours, including public holidays.
- Five to ten real photos: your logo, your team, your work or your premises.
Keep your name, address and phone number identical everywhere they appear online. Google compares your profile with directories and your own website, and small differences cost you trust.
Create and verify your profile
- Sign in at business.google.com
Use the business Google account and choose “Add your business”. - Add your name and category
Pick the primary category that best describes what you do, not everything you do. You can add more categories later. - Choose a location or a service area
If customers come to you, add your address. If you work from home or travel to clients, hide the address and list the towns you serve, such as Hermanus, Onrus, Sandbaai, Stanford, Gansbaai and Caledon. - Add your phone number and website
Use the same number and web address as on the rest of your listings. - Verify
Google chooses the method. For most new profiles it is a short video that shows your signage, tools or workspace. Keep it simple and record it in one take.
Fill in every field
Complete profiles show up more often and win more clicks. This is what we fill in for every client:
| Field | What to add |
|---|---|
| Categories | One primary category plus a few close secondary ones. |
| Services | Each service you offer, with a short description and a price if you can. |
| Hours | Regular hours plus special hours for public holidays and the festive season. |
| Description | Up to 750 characters on what you do and who you help. Write it for people, not for Google. |
| Photos | Logo, cover image and real photos of your work. Add new ones every few months. |
Get your first reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest signals in local search, and the first thing people read. Ask every happy client when a job wraps up, send them your direct review link (you’ll find it under “Ask for reviews” in your profile) and reply to every review, good or bad.
Keep it active
Update your hours before public holidays, add photos as you finish new work and post an update when something changes. A profile that is looked after tells Google, and your customers, that you are open for business.
Common questions
Is a Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating and running a profile costs nothing. You only pay if you choose to run Google Ads on top of it.
Can I list my business without showing my home address?
Yes. Set it up as a service-area business. Google uses your address to verify you, then hides it and shows the towns you serve instead.
How long does verification take?
Often a few days, sometimes longer if Google asks for more information. Your profile only shows up in search once it is verified.