How to get your business on Google (from your phone)

To get your business on Google, create a free Google Business Profile, verify it, and link it to a website. You can do all of it from your phone.

When someone searches "hairdresser near me" or "plumber in [your area]", Google shows a map with local businesses and a list of websites underneath. Your profile gets you on the map. A website helps you show up in the list and gives people somewhere to learn more. Here's how to set up both.

Step 1: Create your Google Business Profile

Open the Google Maps app or go to google.com/business in your phone's browser and sign in with a Google account. Then add:

• Your business name, exactly as customers know it. Don't add extra words like "best cheap plumber". Google can reject or suspend profiles for that.
• Your category, like "Nail salon", "Caterer", or "Personal trainer". Pick the closest match; it has a big effect on which searches you show up for.
• Where customers find you. If customers visit you, add your address. If you go to them, or you work from home, choose the areas you serve and hide your address.
• Your phone number and website. No website yet? Leave it blank for now and come back to it in Step 4.

Step 2: Verify your business

Google needs to check you're a real business before your profile goes public. For most small businesses this now means recording a short video on your phone. Google's rules are strict, so follow them closely:

• Record it live in one continuous take, while signed in to the account that manages the profile.
• Start outside. Show the street, nearby landmarks, and any signage so Google can match your location.
• Show that you run the business: your equipment, tools, stock, branded vehicle, or your booking records.
• If you work from home, you don't need to show your living space. Film outside and show your tools.
• Make sure the name on your signs or documents matches your profile exactly.

Google reviews the video, which can take a few business days. Avoid big edits to your profile while you wait. Depending on your business, Google may offer a phone call, text, or email code instead.

Step 3: Fill in everything

Complete profiles tend to show up more and get more calls. Once you're verified, add:

• Hours, including holiday hours, so nobody turns up to a closed door.
• Photos of your work, products, space, and yourself. Real phone photos are fine.
• Services or products, with prices if you can.
• A short description of what you do and who you do it for.

Step 4: Link a website

A profile is a listing, not a website. It shows your basics, but there's only so much you can explain there. A website is where people who found you on Google go to decide: your full services and prices, your photos, your reviews, and a button to message you.

A website also helps you get found:

• It can appear in Google's regular results, not just the map.
• It gives Google more detail about what you do and where, which helps your profile too.
• It gives you one link to share everywhere else, from Instagram to your WhatsApp status.

No laptop? You can build a business website on your phone. With Clawfront you describe your business on WhatsApp and get a live site in minutes. Then paste the link into the website field on your Google profile.

Step 5: Get reviews

Reviews are one of the biggest reasons people pick one business over another on Google. Once you're live, ask happy customers to leave one. Your profile gives you a short link that takes people straight to the review form, so you can send it on WhatsApp after every job.

Reply to every review, good or bad, briefly and politely. It shows new customers you care, and it's easy to do from your phone.

Quick checklist

• Google Business Profile created with the right name and category
• Verified
• Hours, photos, services, and description filled in
• Website linked on your profile
• Asking every happy customer for a review

Next, make sure your website says the right things: what to put on your business website. If you mostly work over WhatsApp, read do you need a website if you have WhatsApp Business?

Clawfront builds sites for restaurants, trades and services, beauty businesses, and more. It's free for 7 days, then $4.99/month.