📍 Claim and Set Up Your Google Business Profile (Properly)

Claim it

Search your business name on Google Maps. If it exists, claim it (Google verifies by phone, video or postcard). If not, create it at business.google.com. Use your real business name — no 'Best Salon in May Pen' keyword stuffing; Google suspends those.

The category is the biggest lever

'Beauty salon' vs 'Hair salon' vs 'Nail salon' changes who you show up for. Pick the most specific primary category that matches what you make money from; add secondary categories for the rest.

Fill every field

Hours (and holiday hours), phone, WhatsApp link, website (even a one-page one), services with prices, a description that says what you do and where ('Barber in Mandeville, walk-ins and bookings'). Empty fields are lost rankings.

Homework

Complete your profile to 100%. Google shows a completeness meter — get it there today.

✅ Do this now — step by step

1. Search your business name on Google Maps; claim the existing listing or create it at business.google.com with your real, legal-ish name.
2. Choose the most specific primary category that matches what you make money from; add 2–4 secondary categories.
3. Fill every field: hours (and holidays), phone, WhatsApp link, website, address or service area, description with your town, services with prices.
4. Verify (phone, video or postcard) and complete the profile to 100% — Google shows the meter.
5. Add a booking or ordering link (your website's booking page or WhatsApp) so the listing can take action, not just show information.

⚠️ Mistakes to avoid

• Keyword-stuffing the name ('Best Salon in Mandeville') — Google suspends these and you lose the reviews.
• Picking a broad category ('Business') — you'll never appear for the search that matters.
• Leaving hours blank — Google shows 'hours unknown' and people call the next shop.

🇯🇲 How it plays out in Jamaica