Profile Basics — Items 1–5
Claim and verify your Google Business Profile (postcard, phone or video verification).Use your exact real business name — no keyword stuffing; Google penalises it.Pick the most specific primary category ("Indian grocery store", not "Store"). Add every relevant secondary category (delivery, wholesale, bakery…). Complete hours, holiday hours, phone, website and service area — wrong hours are the #1 reason customers stop trusting a listing.
Photos & Media — Items 6–9
Add at least 10 real photos : shopfront, interior, products, team at work. Add new photos monthly — fresh photos visibly lift profile activity. Upload a clean logo and cover image (cover shows first in search). Record a 30-second video tour — profiles with video stand out on Maps.
Reviews & Trust — Items 10–14
Create a direct review link and keep it saved on your phone (profile → "Ask for reviews"). Ask every happy customer within 24 hours — the personal ask converts 5–10× better than a poster. Reply to every review within 24 hours — good or bad; replies are public trust signals.Never buy or fake reviews — Google's filter deletes them and can suspend your profile.Seed the Q&A section with 5–10 questions customers actually ask (timings, parking, home delivery, wholesale rates).
Posts & Engagement — Items 15–17
Publish a Google post at least twice a month — offers, new arrivals, festival specials. Fill the Products / Services tab with real names and prices. Turn on messaging and reply within the hour when possible — many buyers message before they call.
Local SEO Foundations — Items 18–20
Keep your name, address and phone identical everywhere online (Justdial, Facebook, WhatsApp Business). Mention your city and main service naturally in your business description ("wholesale kirana in Warangal"). Check Insights monthly : calls, direction requests and profile views — if you don't measure, you can't improve.