Google Ads vs Meta Ads: Where Should Indore Businesses Spend?
Google Ads captures people already searching; Meta Ads creates demand on Instagram and Facebook. How to decide which one fits your Indore business.
A step-by-step guide to creating, verifying and optimising your free Google Business Profile so customers in Indore can find and contact you.
Your Google Business Profile is the box that appears on Google Search and Google Maps when someone looks up your business. It shows your phone number, hours, reviews, photos and directions. It is free, and for many Indore businesses it brings more calls than the website does.
Before you start
- Use a Google account that belongs to the business, not a personal or employee account
- Keep your exact business name, phone number and address ready
- Decide whether customers visit your location or you visit them
- Have your logo and a few real photos of your work or premises
Step 1: Create the profile
Go to business.google.com, enter your business name exactly as customers know it, and choose your primary category. Pick the most specific category available - "Dentist" rather than "Clinic", "Internet marketing service" rather than "Consultant".
Step 2: Location or service area
If customers come to you - a shop on MG Road or a clinic in Palasia - add your address. If you travel to customers, such as an electrician, interior designer or agency, hide your address and add service areas like Indore, Rau, Mhow, Pithampur and Dewas instead.
Step 3: Verify
Google will ask you to verify that you run the business. Depending on the business, options include a video recording, phone or SMS, email or a postcard. Keep your signboard, shop interior, tools or business documents ready if you choose video verification. Your profile does not appear publicly until it is verified.
Step 4: Complete every section
- Business description that explains what you do and mentions Indore naturally
- Every service or product you offer, each with a short description
- Opening hours, including special hours for festivals like Diwali
- Website, WhatsApp and appointment links
- At least ten good photos - exterior, interior, team and work
Step 5: Keep it active
Add a post every week or two - offers, new work, tips. Upload new photos regularly. Reply to every review. Answer questions in the Q&A section. An updated profile looks trustworthy to customers and signals to Google that the business is active.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding city names or keywords to the business name
- Using a personal mobile number on one listing and a different one on the website
- Creating duplicate profiles for the same business
- Buying reviews or asking staff to post them
- Letting an agency own the profile instead of adding them as a manager
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is free. Google Ads are separate and paid.
Can I create a profile if I work from home in Indore?
Yes. Set it up as a service-area business, hide your home address and list the areas you serve.
Why is my profile not showing on Google Maps?
The most common reasons are that it is not yet verified, it is suspended for a guideline issue, or it is not yet strong enough to rank for that search. Check the status in your Business Profile dashboard first.