Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business) is a free listing that puts your business on Google Maps and in local search results. It is the single most important thing you can do to get found online — and it takes 15 minutes.

Step-by-Step: Create Your Google Business Profile

1. 1
   Go to business.google.comOpen business.google.com on your phone or computer. Sign in with a Gmail account (create one free if you do not have one).
2. 2
   Click "Add your business"Type your business name exactly as it appears on your shop sign. If Google suggests your business already exists, claim it instead of creating a new one.
3. 3
   Choose your business categoryPick the most specific category that describes your business. "Restaurant" is better than "Food and Drink". "Plumber" is better than "Home Services". You can add more categories later.
4. 4
   Add your locationEnter your complete address including landmark, street, city, state, and PIN code. If you provide a service at customers homes (like a plumber or delivery service), select "service area business" instead.
5. 5
   Add phone number and websiteAdd your mobile number. If you do not have a website, you can skip this — or use your ContactDirectoryAI listing URL as your website.
6. 6
   Verify your businessGoogle will send a postcard to your address with a 5-digit code (takes 5–14 days). Some businesses can verify by phone or video call immediately.

Optimising Your Profile After Verification

A complete profile gets 7x more visits than an incomplete one. After verifying, do these:

• Add business hours (including Sunday and holiday hours)
• Add at least 5 photos of your shop, products, or services
• Write a description (250 words) mentioning what you sell and which area you serve
• Add your service menu or product list if applicable
• Turn on messaging so customers can WhatsApp you directly from Google

What Customers See on Google

When someone searches "bakery in Chandigarh", they see a map with business pins and a list below. Your profile shows: business name, star rating, opening hours, distance, photos, and a call button. A well-optimised profile with good photos and reviews will almost always rank above a bare listing.