When someone hears about your business, their first move is to search for it. If nothing appears — no website, no map listing, no profile — you lose credibility before the first call. A 2024 LocalCircles survey found that 72% of Indian consumers research a business online before buying, even for local services.
Getting online no longer needs a developer or any code. The highest-leverage first step is a Google Business Profile: free, about 20 minutes to set up, and it puts you on Google Maps and in local search with your hours, photos, and a click-to-call number.
If you want a full website later, no-code builders make it possible without technical skill. Even a single page with your contact details, location, and services beats having nothing — treat it as a visiting card that works around the clock.
How to do it
- 1
Claim your Google Business Profile
Go to business.google.com and search for your business. Claim it if it exists, or create it. Enter your category, address (or service area), phone number, and hours.
- 2
Verify your listing
Google verifies by postcard, phone, or email depending on your business type. Complete verification — an unverified profile ranks poorly and looks unfinished.
- 3
Add photos and details
Upload at least five clear photos of your shop, products, or team. Add a short description, services, and a website or WhatsApp link. Listings with photos get far more calls and direction requests.
- 4
Decide if you need a website
For a simple presence, a one-page site is enough. No-code website builders let you assemble one by dragging blocks into place; the options below range from free to a few hundred rupees a month. Buy a domain that matches your business name.
- 5
Ask for reviews and reply to them
Send happy customers your review link. Respond to every review, positive or negative, in a calm and professional tone — prospective buyers read the replies as closely as the ratings.
Tools you can use
These are widely used options for this step. The toolkit is an independent Bombay Chamber initiative and does not endorse any single product — compare them and pick what fits your business.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the profile unverified, which keeps it out of local search results.
- Using a stale phone number or wrong hours, sending customers to a dead end.
- Over-investing in a fancy website before claiming the free Google listing that drives most local calls.
- Ignoring reviews — both the ones you could ask for and the ones already posted.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
Not at first. A complete Google profile covers most local discovery. Add a website when you want to sell online or present more detail than the profile allows.
What if I run a home-based or mobile business with no shopfront?
Choose a 'service area business' during setup. You can hide your address and instead list the areas you serve.
How long until I show up on Google Maps?
Usually within a few days of verification. Adding photos, hours, and replying to reviews helps you rank higher over the following weeks.
Published by the BCCI Digital Toolkit, a Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry initiative. Pricing and availability of third-party tools change — verify current details before deciding.