When someone in Riyadh, Dubai or Doha types "barber near me" or "dental clinic open now", the first thing they see is the map pack: three businesses with ratings, photos and a call button. If you are not in it, that customer never knew you existed.
A Google Business Profile is free and takes about an hour to set up properly. Here is the order that works.
Create a free Google Business Profile, verify it, fill in every field with accurate details and real photos, and link it to your website. Then collect honest reviews and reply to them.
Create and claim the profile
Search for your business name on Google Maps first. If a listing already exists, claim it instead of creating a duplicate; duplicates split your reviews and confuse customers.
If nothing exists, sign in with a Google account that you will keep long term (not an employee's personal one) and add the business. Choose a precise primary category, such as "Dental clinic" rather than "Health", because the category drives which searches you appear for.
Verify it
Google will ask you to prove the business is real. Depending on your business, the options can include a postcard, a phone call, an email or a short video of your premises, and the available options vary. Follow what Google offers for your listing and check its current rules.
Until you verify, the profile cannot be fully managed and may not show properly, so do this on day one.
Fill in every field accurately
Complete profiles get more calls and direction requests. Focus on what customers actually need:
- Exact name, address and map pin, written the same way as on your website and social pages.
- Opening hours, including Friday, Ramadan and holiday changes.
- A local phone number and, if you take bookings, a booking link.
- Services or products with short descriptions, and prices only if they are stable.
- At least 10 real photos: entrance, interior, team, work samples.
Link it to a website that matches
Add your website to the profile, and make sure the site repeats the same name, address and phone number, shows your map, and has a clear call or WhatsApp button. Consistent details across the web help Google trust the listing.
With Uttra you can describe it in chat: "A one-page site for my Riyadh barbershop with hours, services, an embedded map, a WhatsApp button and Arabic/English versions." Preview it, edit by chat, then publish on your own domain.
Reviews and weekly habits
Ask satisfied customers for a review in person or by sending your profile's review link after a visit. Never pay for or fake reviews, as this breaks Google's rules and can get the profile suspended. Reply to every review, politely, including negative ones.
Post an update or a new photo weekly and check the profile's performance numbers monthly to see calls, direction requests and website clicks.