How to get your shop on Google Maps and WhatsApp in a day

When someone nearby searches for what you sell, three things decide whether they come to you: whether you show up on Google Maps, whether your details are right, and how easy it is to contact you. You can sort out all three in a day, without spending anything but time.

Step 1: Claim your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the box that shows your shop on Google Search and Maps, with your address, hours, photos and reviews. To set it up:

1. Search for “Google Business Profile” and sign in with a Google account you’ll keep using for the business.
2. Add your business name exactly as it appears on your board.
3. Choose the most specific category (for example, “Beauty salon” rather than “Shop”).
4. Put the pin exactly on your entrance, and add your address and phone number.
5. Verify the business the way Google asks; it can take a few days.

Once verified, add your opening hours (and holiday closures), at least five clear photos of the outside, inside and your products, and a short description of what you offer and where.

Step 2: Set up WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business is a free app that keeps your business chats separate from personal ones. Add your business name, address, hours and a catalogue of your main products or services. Set a greeting message so new customers get a reply even when you’re busy.

Step 3: Make a click-to-chat link

A click-to-chat link opens a WhatsApp chat with you in one tap. Its format is https://wa.me/ followed by your number with the country code and no plus sign, spaces or zeros, for example https://wa.me/919876543210. You can add a ready message too, so customers just press send. Put this link on your Google profile, Instagram bio and visiting cards.

Step 4: Give it all one home

Google, Instagram and WhatsApp each show part of your business. A simple website ties them together: what you offer and your prices, photos, hours, a map and buttons to WhatsApp, call or get directions. It’s also the link you add as the website on your Google Business Profile, which helps Google trust that your details are right.

With a Craftpage business site you pick a theme, fill in your details and publish. WhatsApp, call and directions buttons are on every page, your hours show “Open now” in your time zone, and your name, address, phone and hours are marked up in the format Google reads. See examples for a salon, a restaurant or a shop.

Step 5: Ask for reviews

Reviews on your Google profile are one of the strongest signals for showing up nearby. After a good visit, ask happy customers to leave one, and send them the review link from your profile on WhatsApp. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely.

Your one-day checklist

• Google Business Profile claimed, with category, pin, hours and photos
• WhatsApp Business with catalogue and greeting message
• A wa.me click-to-chat link on every profile and card
• A simple website, linked from your Google profile
• Five customers asked for a review