BRANOVA
If you serve local customers, a Google Business Profile is the single highest-return, zero-cost thing you can set up as a new business. It puts you on Google Search and Maps — exactly where local buyers look. Here's how to do it right.
Why this comes before a website
When someone searches 'X near me' or 'X in your city', Google shows profiles, not websites, first. A complete profile with reviews can win you calls and visits before you've built anything else.
What a strong profile includes
- Accurate name, category, address and hours
- A local phone number and WhatsApp click-to-chat
- Real photos of your product, premises or work
- A clear description with your city and services
- A steady stream of genuine customer reviews
How to set it up properly
- Create the profile and complete every field
- Choose the most accurate primary category
- Add 10+ real photos and keep adding them
- Ask every early customer for a review, with a direct link
- Post updates and reply to every review and question
A real example
An Erode electrician set up a complete Google profile, added job photos weekly and asked each customer for a review. Within months he ranked in the local map pack and got most of his calls straight from Google — for free.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving fields blank or the category wrong
- Using stock photos instead of real ones
- Never asking customers for reviews
- Ignoring questions and reviews once they come in
For a local business, a complete Google profile is worth more than a website you haven't built yet — and it's free.
Doing this with a team
Just starting out? Branova can set up your Google profile, simple website and first marketing — or coach you to do it yourself. Either way, begin with a free growth audit.
Not sure where to begin? A free growth audit will show you exactly what to do first — no jargon, no pressure.