Why: This is THE one — it puts you on Google Maps and Google Search with your hours, phone, photos, and reviews.

Do this: Go to google.com/business → "Manage now" → search your business name → claim it. Verification comes by postcard, phone, or video. 90% of "showing on Google" is this step.

Why: Google matches searchers to businesses by category. "Restaurant" is too broad — "South Indian Restaurant" wins.

Do this: In your GBP dashboard → Edit profile → Category. Pick the most specific match. You can add up to 9 secondary categories.

Why: Wrong hours = lost trust. Special hours (Diwali, Eid) keep you visible on holidays when competitors are closed.

Do this: In GBP → Edit profile → Hours. Add regular hours + at least the next 3 Indian holidays. Set "Closed" if applicable — better than silence.

Why: Profiles with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more clicks to your site (Google stat).

Do this: Upload 1 logo, 1 cover, 3+ exterior, 3+ interior, 3+ product/service photos. Geotag from your phone — Google rewards "fresh" photos.

Why: In India, the phone number is the conversion. Make sure the one on Google IS your WhatsApp Business number.

Do this: GBP → Contact → Phone. Use your WhatsApp Business number. Bonus: enable "Messages" in GBP so customers can chat from search results.

Why: No website = looks like a side hustle. A simple Anilfy.com/Linktree/own-domain page is 10× better than "no website".

Do this: Use Anilfy.com's built-in website or Google's free site (sites.google.com). Make sure phone, hours, services, and a "WhatsApp us" button are above the fold.

Why: 4.5+ stars beats 3.5+ stars in search rank. The fastest path to your first 10 reviews is asking customers who already love you.

Do this: Send each one your GBP review link via WhatsApp: "Could you leave us a Google review? Takes 30 seconds — link below". Most will say yes.

Why: Owners who reply have 12% higher conversion. Even a "Thanks!" signals "this business is alive".

Do this: Subscribe to GBP email alerts. Reply to every review, positive or negative, within a day. Negative review? Apologize publicly, fix privately.

Why: Google rewards active profiles. Weekly posts keep you ranking — silent profiles slowly drift down.

Do this: GBP → Posts → add 1 short update per week. Offer, new product, festival greeting, photo from yesterday. Stays live 7 days.

Why: Customers compare. If price isn't shown, they call the competitor whose price IS shown.

Do this: GBP → Services or Products → add 10+ items with price ranges. "₹500 onwards" is fine when exact pricing varies.

Why: Bad pin = customers going to the wrong gate, then giving up. Wastes the ad spend you didn't even know you were paying.

Do this: GBP → Edit profile → Location → drag the pin to your actual entrance. Add a "How to find us" note for landmarks.

Why: GBP shows a Q&A. If you don't fill it, customers will — with wrong info, then it stays forever.

Do this: Pre-post the 5 questions you get asked most: "Do you deliver?", "Is parking available?", "Are you halal/veg?". Answer each one yourself.