How to add your business to Google Maps in Nepal

Who can be on Google Maps

A Business Profile is for a business with a real place customers can visit, such as a shop in Pokhara, a hotel in Thamel or a clinic in Butwal. It is also for a business that travels to customers, such as a plumber or a mobile beautician.

Some things do not qualify. A rented address where you do not actually work, a P.O. box, and a mailbox are all refused. Online-only sellers without a place to visit cannot list either.

Check first if your place is already there

Search your business name on Google Maps before you create anything. Google asks for one profile per business. If an unverified profile already exists, claim it instead of making a second one. Two profiles for one shop cause confusion and can get both flagged.

The steps

1. 1Sign in with a Google account that you will keep. Use one that the owner controls, not a staff member's personal account.
2. 2Open business.google.com/add and choose to add your business.
3. 3Type your business name exactly as it appears on your signboard. Leave out slogans, phone numbers and words like 'best' or 'cheap'.
4. 4Choose the category that completes the sentence 'This business is a...'. Pick the most specific one, for example 'Hotel' or 'Massage spa', and add only a few more if they truly fit.
5. 5Enter your address. If you serve customers at your place, show the address. If you only travel to customers, hide it and set the area you serve.
6. 6Add a phone number and your website or Facebook page.
7. 7Choose a verification method and complete it.

Verification: proving the business is yours

Google decides which methods it offers you, and some businesses need more than one. The possible methods are a phone or text code, email, a live video call during your business hours, a video recording, or a postcard.

If you pick the postcard, most arrive within 14 days, and the code expires after 30 days. While you wait, do not ask for a new code and do not change your business name, address or category. Both can break the code.

If your website is already verified in Google Search Console, that can verify your profile at once. Google does not say which profiles get this.

• Be at the business when you verify. A video or live call is easiest from the premises.
• After you finish, Google reviews the details for up to 5 business days, sometimes longer.

Make the profile complete

• Add a clear photo of the front of the building, so a customer can recognise it from the road.
• Set regular hours and add special hours for festivals like Dashain and Tihar.
• Write a short description of what you offer and how long you have been open. Keep web links and discount prices out of it.
• Keep the phone number and address correct. Google reviews edits before showing them.
• Add your website and one link for each social page.

What decides your place in the results

Google says local results depend mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well your profile matches the search. Distance is how far you are from the person searching. Prominence is how well known you are, which reflects reviews, ratings and how many websites link to you.

Google also says plainly that you cannot request or pay for a better local ranking. A complete profile, honest reviews from real customers and a website that other sites mention are the things that help.

Mistakes to avoid

• Putting keywords in the business name, such as 'Pokhara Best Cheap Hotel'. Use the real name.
• Creating a second profile because verification is slow.
• Using a friend's shop address or a virtual office.
• Editing the name or address while a postcard is on its way.

Questions owners ask

Sources

• Google Business Profile guidelines
• Verify your Business Profile
• Improve your local ranking on Google
• Create a Business Profile
• Tips to improve your Business Profile