When a customer types "Bursa web design" into their phone, they often see a map and a few businesses above the results. The source of that area is the Google Business Profile, and it is free. Below we walk through the steps to set it up properly and the mistakes people commonly make. Nobody can guarantee where you will rank on the map; but without a profile you cannot appear in that area at all.
Who is a profile for?
It suits you if you have an address where you meet customers face to face, or a business that travels to the places where your customers are. If you only use a PO box or a shared virtual-office address, Google may not accept the profile; read Google's current guidelines before applying.
Step-by-step setup
- Business name. Exactly the name on your sign and your website. Stuffing the name with keywords ("Bursa Best Web Design") goes against the guidelines and can get the profile suspended.
- Category. Choose one primary category and add suitable secondary ones. The primary category is the field that most affects which searches you appear in.
- Address or service area. If you receive customers, enter the address. If customers do not come to you, specify only the areas you serve.
- Phone, website and opening hours. Identical to what your website says.
- Description and photos. Explain what you do in plain language; add real photos of your office, team or work.
- Verification. Google wants to confirm that the business is real. The method (phone, email, video, post) varies by business. A profile that is not verified is not shown to everyone.
Consistency: name, address and phone the same everywhere
Google compares your details across the profile, your website and other directories. If one place has the full address, another an abbreviation and a third an old phone number, trust weakens. Keep your own site correct first, then bring the profile and other listings into line with it.
Reviews: earn them, do not buy them
Ask satisfied customers for a review; sending them the profile link is enough. Buying reviews, or giving discounts and gifts in exchange for them, goes against Google's policies. Reply to the reviews you receive, including negative ones, calmly and specifically.
Common mistakes
- Creating the profile and leaving verification half done
- Forgetting to update opening hours around holidays
- Opening more than one profile for the same business
- Neglecting the website: visitors coming from the profile are usually on a phone, and if the site is slow to open they leave. See our article on website speed for details.
If you would like us to look at how your site looks and performs on a phone, write to us through the free quote form, or take a look at our web solutions.
