Published - Wed, 15-May-2024

How to set up a Google Business Profile in South Africa?

How to set up a Google Business Profile in South Africa?

Have you ever searched for a business online? Then you may come across the business information directly as if it was written and recorded by Google. Well, it is recorded but not by Google. Instead, business owner(s) list their businesses on Google Business Profile. Small and medium businesses in South Africa have shown promising growth after they listed their business on Google Business Profile. So, how do you set up a Google Business Profile in South Africa? Let's find out.

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is technically a listing of your business in the Google database. The database may include your open hours, contacts, location on the map, website details, photos, and more. You can also post photos and updates about your business, and interact with your customers. It is your social profile that gives your business a unique identity.

A Google Business Profile may look like this.


Google Business Profile was previously called 'Google My Business', which you might be more familiar with.

It is no secret that Google is the largest search engine in the world. Listing your business on Google means your potential customers can find and understand your business more easily. Contacting and reviewing your business becomes easier. As your business gains more positive reviews, more customers will be attracted towards your business. And the cycle will repeat, and your business will grow.

And the best news? It is completely FREE!

So, how do you set up a Google Business Profile in South Africa?

Let's Set up a Google Business Profile in South Africa

A verified Google Business Profile helps you attract, convert, and interact with your customers. Let's see how you can set up a Google Business Profile with ease.

Sign into your Google Account

If you have been an internet user for more than 6 months, chances are you already have a Google account. To set up your Google Business Profile, you will have to sign into your Google account.

If you do not have a Google account, the process is simple. Simply log into Gmail and create your Google account there. If you are creating a new account, Google recommends you to sign up with a business email domain, if you have any. Here's the Google guide on how to set up your Gmail business email. However, it is not a necessary step. You can simply do fine with a free personal Gmail account.

Once you have signed into your Google account, head over to Create a Profile in the Google Business section.

Providing the Basic Details of Your Business

Now, it is time to fill in some basic information to give your business an identity on Google Business Profile.

Now, if yours is a locally popular business, Google might already have listed your business in their database. This happens due to the search volume your business may get or locals listing your business on Google Maps, although unofficially. Now, to check whether Google has listed your business, simply type your business name in the text box. If you see your name in the auto-suggested list, select it.

If it's not there, no worries. Just type your business name and click next.

On the next page, you will have to choose your business type amongst the three types listed below.

  • Online Store, if your business is completely online and has no physical location. In this case, Google will not pinpoint your business on the map.

  • Local Store, such as restaurants or libraries. A Local Store type of business will have a Google Map location in the red 'Pin' format.

  • Service Business which provides services like pest control, appliance repair services and so on. Service businesses will have a pin and an area of operation highlighted in a radius on Google Maps.

Once you have done selecting, click 'Next'.

Depending on the business type, you will have to provide contact details and physical details accordingly. Once you have input all the necessary details, you will come to the verification step. There are many verification methods for verifying your Google Business Profile in South Africa. You can take a look at the full list on this Google Support Page.

Verifying your Google Business Profile

As seen previously, anyone can claim a business on Google. This is what makes your business appear in Google search results if you have not officially registered your business with Google Business Profile. To protect your business identity, it is necessary to get verified on Google Business Profile in South Africa.

And now, we are at the verification stage. There are several verification methods.

The Google Verification Code method

In this method, you will have to provide Google with your phone number and then click next. On the next screen, you can choose to verify your number either via call or text. You can select either to receive a code from Google. You can input this code on the next screen to verify your number, thus proving that the number belongs to your business.

Video Verification

Google has been increasingly using this method to combat spam in the Google Business Profile section. In this method, you will have to provide a recording of your business in one go. An unedited, raw footage of your business is what Google needs in this method. Make sure you shoot your business' location, equipment, and proof of management to pass the verification check.

Google just uses the video to verify your business listing. The video is never shared publicly.

Postcard by Email

In this process, Google sends you a physical postcard to your business address with a verification code on it. You can use this code to verify your business. As this is a physical postcard, the delivery time may take about 3-5 business days.

And That's It!

Your Google Business Profile is now created and verified in South Africa. That was really simple, wasn't it? A Google Business Profile can help your business have a personalised identity for your business in South Africa. Talking about personalisation, we are not quite done yet. We still have to customise our profile. But we will talk about it in the next article.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions up until now, feel free to reach out to us via the message tab. We would be glad to answer any questions you have. We also have an upcoming Google Business Profile course very soon, so stay tuned for that!

Also, if you are struggling to sell products in South Africa, have you tried selling via Takealot? We have a full course on becoming a full-fledged Takealot Seller in South Africa. It's free for a limited period only and you would not want to miss out on the opportunity. See you in the class soon!

Search
Popular categories
Education
21
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowled
Takealot Seller
11
How to sell on Takealot
Dropshipping
5
All content regarding Dropshipping
Social Media
2
All content regarding Social Media
Entrepreneurship Podcast
1
Welcome to the Entrepreneurship Podcast Series by James Edward Anthony
News
1
News blogs are not just about sharing news. They also include opinion pieces to All categories
Latest blogs
The Set-and-Forget Email Strategy You Need | Drip Campaigns
The Set-and-Forget Email Strategy You Need | Drip Campaigns
Writing numerous emails as part of an email marketing strategy may have been effective in the past. However, addressing the elephant in the room: does it offer any returns now? Perhaps it did in the past. We cannot claim the same now for sure. Wait, does that mean email marketing is now obsolete? Not really, no, but it has to get smarter. Walks in Drip Campaigns, the set-and-forget email strategy you need today to reach new heights of email marketing in South Africa.What is a Drip Campaign?A drip campaign is a set-and-forget email strategy that automates your email marketing process. Not only that, but the campaign strategy also focuses on intuition, thus enriching the user experience by sending them helpful, well-timed emails to fulfil their journey. Here, 'journey' refers to the series of actions a user (lead) takes to reach the desired call-to-action (CTA). For example, from signing up on your website to purchasing a product.Drip campaign emails are concise and straight-to-the-point, focusing on delivering clarity about your business while convincing them of the value your products offer.So, how does that work?The Process behind the Drip Campaign Email StrategyLet's understand this with an example.Hypothetically speaking, you own a small business that specialises in selling perfumes. Now, a user is visiting your website for the first time and is browsing around. This user is a lead for your business: an individual who is showing some interest in your brand.Now, you would want this user to purchase a perfume product on your website. As a perfume seller, this would be your establishment's ultimate goal for anyone who visits the website. So, how would that happen?If the user is keenly interested in purchasing your product, they will find a way around no matter what. However, if the user is simply just browsing, they will need some convincing. This convincing process is called 'conversion': you are converting a casual visitor into a full-fledged customer who is willing to purchase a product from you.Scenarios like this are where drip campaigns prove to be significantly effective, making a long-lasting positive impact on your customers' minds. Now, let's see what these drip campaign emails would look like in the 'journey' above.Day 0 – Welcome email when they sign up with your business.Day 2 – Traits that set your product apart from your competition.Day 5 – A customer story or testimonials OR the benefits of your products.Day 8 – Special discounts or CTA.Such well-timed, value-packed emails keep your brand fresh and encourage users to purchase or actively use your product.I have explained it all in the video below. Feel free to take a look! So, how do I set up a Drip Campaign in South Africa?A drip campaign's default goal is to anticipate a visitor's questions and answer them just before they ask.Now, the email writing is up to you. Your emails should sound like you are casually talking to a friend. Avoid jargon, avoid wordiness. You want them to be easily understandable—straight to the point, remember that!Now, once you have the templates, all that remains is automation. You will need a tool for that.Automation tools like MailChimp, ConvertKit, HubSpot, or ActiveCampaign are a great help. Choose one that best suits your budget and needs. You will also have to set up a sequence and add triggers. For example, if a user signs up at your website, they will receive a welcome email from you. Here, the user signing up is the trigger.ConclusionDrip campaigns can go a long way in nurturing the leads on your website, proving to be an effective email strategy in South Africa. Have fun writing your drip campaign emails and consider some experimentation to effectively run a drip campaign in South Africa. Test different subject lines, rephrase your messages to improve your delivery and test the triggers. If nobody opens your emails, it is all in vain.And that's about it. That is what drip campaigns are: a real set-and-forget email marketing strategy that you have been looking for. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out on my YouTube, Discord, or simply fill out this form here.

6 Days Ago
Get your SaaS Idea Validated | 48-Hour SaaS Validation Blueprint
Get your SaaS Idea Validated | 48-Hour SaaS Validation Blueprint
Actively working on developing any SaaS idea often turns into a gamble, as the idea has a chance to fail. And let me tell you, even though they look attractive on paper, most of the ideas end up failing for various reasons. Then follows regret for wasting time and resources on developing the SaaS product, and so on. So, how do you do this right? How do you know if your SaaS idea is solving a problem that your target audience is facing? In this article, I talk about a 48-Hour SaaS Idea Validation blueprint without extensively spending time and resources on developing it.What exactly is SaaS Validation? - The TruthValidation of a SaaS idea is not about understanding what works but rather understanding what does not.Many SaaS founders jump straight into coding because they think that their idea is original. They do not want others to steal their ideas or get an edge in the competition. While it is somewhat true, just tunnel visioning on this fact will likely turn out negatively for your SaaS idea.So, ask yourself: 'what problem is your SaaS idea promises to resolve?' And 'are people looking for this particular solution your SaaS product provides?' It may take you a substantial amount of time to reach the answer. But when you do, you may have a clearer picture of what you would want to develop. That does not mean you jump into full-time coding on developing the idea right off the bat. Before that comes understanding your market and niche.The 48-Hour SaaS Idea Validation BlueprintInstead of understanding the problem on the surface and diving straight into coding a full-fledged product, consider listening first.Even though you understand the problem, does your target audience feel the same? Is the problem significant enough to make people pay you for a solution? Perhaps what you are understanding as a problem may not be a problem for others in the first place.So, how do we exactly understand a problem?Define the Problem – This is the Hardest PartWrite the problem in one statement that you think may resonate with your target audience. Here's the syntax:"I help [Target Audience] solve [Specific Problem] by [Clear Solution]."Can you fill in all the blanks? If your answer is yes, then you are ready for the next step.If you cannot, do not be sloppy. Filling answers in the syntax above can give you a clear sight of what you must develop.If you cannot find the right answer, explore platforms like Quora, LinkedIn, or Reddit where people ask tonnes of questions. What you are looking for in the sea of questions are questions like "I hate...", "How can I..." or "Why does..."You're ready to move to the next step once you figure this out.Build a Landing Page to Validate your SaaS Idea with Real-Time DataYou are not just all about words; you are serious about your idea. And nothing states your seriousness more than having a landing page that represents your idea.Now, you don't really have to hire a web developer to make a landing page. You can easily do it by yourself with Carrd. Carrd will help you create a professional, responsive landing page for free and for as long as you like.Now, what would your landing page include?A headline that states the pain point of your target audience.A subheading giving a solution to the problem or a promise to resolve the problem.A waitlist counter would be especially effective if there are people already waiting for you to develop the idea.An early access button will compel more and more visitors to click on the button.You do not need logos or any fancy features. After all, the objective of your landing page is to describe a problem that resonates with your target audience and a promise that your upcoming SaaS product would show.And that brings us to the next part of the article.The Three-Question Survey Works Wonders in Validating your SaaS Idea BlueprintThe Early Access button will lead your visitors to a 3-question survey. Nothing too complicated or fancy. It is something they would be able to answer within a minute.What would you ask in these three-question surveys? Here's what I would ask.What is your biggest headache with the [PROBLEM]?How much does this cost you per month?Would you pay X$/month to fix your problem?Visitors would be able to answer these engaging questions within a minute or two. These answers will help you understand how well your idea fares within your target audience.Now, when it comes to surveying the market, data is everything.Promote Your Homepage and Drive TrafficGoogle Ads is an affordable option to market your landing page with accurate phrases to attract the right audience. You can also consider trying other platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn for affordable advertisements.Related: Finding your Target MarketAfter 48 Hours, Answer these Three Questions for your SaaS Blueprint ValidationDid at least 5 percent of visitors sign up?;Did survey respondents reveal the same frustration?; AndDid anyone say that they would pay for this if it existed?If your answers are yes to all three, you are on a correct track. Now, you can safely work on your SaaS idea.If any of the questions return with a no answer, then you may have to make certain changes in your strategy. Consider changing target keywords, revise and understand the market problem or your solution to the problem, or simply find a new problem you can work on.ConclusionA SaaS validation blueprint is not a once-off checkbox. You have to revise your strategy until you find your perfect blueprint. This statement may sound absurd, but the faster you fail at your attempts, the better your blueprint will be. And it will be something that truly works with your target audience.I have a video explaining the exact same matter but with examples as well. I highly recommend you check out the video on my YouTube Channel. Validation of your SaaS idea can be a challenging task. I highly recommend you use AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm how you can tackle certain roadblocks. Or, you can simply contact me if you are hitting roadblocks. I would be glad to help.To reach out, simply contact me via the form provided in the link, and I will get back to you.

Tue, 20-May-2025
Here are 5 SaaS Ideas You Can Build this Weekend
Here are 5 SaaS Ideas You Can Build this Weekend
There are many reasons to build a SaaS project. Lower costs, easy access, and scalability are some of the reasons why individual entrepreneurs would consider building a SaaS app. In this article, we explore 5 SaaS ideas that you can build this weekend and start earning.Micro-SaaS: What is it?Micro-SaaS is a small, focused SaaS product that focuses on solving a very particular problem. Due to its niche approach, these SaaS products are often targeted at a specific industry or a certain group of users.Why are these products successful? Because these products focus on solving a very particular problem that people are happy to pay for. Some of the examples are HypeFury or Mailbox Validator.5 (Micro) SaaS Ideas You Can Build this WeekendNow, let's talk about how you can build a profitable online business without any co-founders or impressive funding. Did I say that you do not need to code to actualise these ideas? That's right! You can use AI coding tools like Cursor or Bolt to vibe code your SaaS ideas that practically work.Now, let's look at our 5 SaaS ideas.AI-Powered Email ResponderWhat if AI could respond automatically to your emails with generic responses like "Thank you" or "I would look into it" or so on? Furthermore, it could also auto-respond to certain emails based on certain contexts.This context may include the product or price information. This way, your sales team may not have to respond with the same thing to different emails multiple times a day.To integrate AI in your email responder, you can use OpenAI's API. For hosting, you can use Firebase for starters. Once hosted, the app will be ready to provide the services.Social Media Hook GeneratorThe social media 'hook' here refers to captivating content that makes users stop scrolling and focus on your content. These hooks can be anything from a striking image, a provocative question, a bold statement, or a relatable story.Creators often struggle to write viral social media hooks. That's where your SaaS app comes into play. Your Social Media Hook Generator would recommend content creators viral hook ideas that may help them create highly engaging content.You can integrate OpenAI or Claude API for text generation. Furthermore, you can also consider integrating Notion and Airtable to allow users to organise their hooks.SEO-Friendly Blog Title OptimiserBloggers and marketers struggle with enticing, click-worthy blog titles (including us). As content writing is at the core of a successful marketing strategy, we are never running out of the need for writing blogs for different websites.So, if you have a solution to these struggles, like an SEO-Friendly Blog Title Optimiser, then people are likely going to pay for the service.The solution here is that your SaaS app will generate click-worthy, enticing blog titles. How? The app will analyse the content and the headlines and suggest a variety of potentially high-performing headlines or titles.These suggestions would be based on SEO keyword ranking, article content, and competitor analysis.The key to making this happen would be an API integration that can scrape Google Search Results to bring you the best possible keyword suggestions, like SerpApi. Your SaaS app could be a simple Chrome extension or a web app.Cold Email Personalisation ToolNobody appreciates cold emails. They usually all sound the same, and they are just... bland. Let's face it, cold emailing is not really the way to market, unless... you make it interesting.This is where you can chime in your Cold Email Personalisation Tool. Now what it does is that it makes your emails personal by, for example, scanning a prospect's LinkedIn profile to understand their background and generate unique, personalised openers.For the example above, PhantomBuster API would be an astounding choice as a LinkedIn profile scraper.AI Content Repurposing EngineFor content creators, condensing long-form content into a short, digestible format is always a challenge. This is a problem many face, and many fail at condensing down the content in an interesting manner.This is where you can provide a SaaS solution. An AI Content Repurposing Engine can chop long-form content into potentially viral-ready snippets. To achieve this, you can integrate Whisper API for audio transcripts and OpenAI to rewrite the hooks.Final WordsSo, are you ready to build your SaaS ideas this weekend? Remember, blindly building an idea just like that could be a waste of time. Make sure you know your target audience and the actual demand in the market niche.If you wish to explore these ideas in depth, I would highly recommend exploring my YouTube channel. I have a series of videos dedicated to AI SaaS ideas and app development.For any queries, feel free to reach out to me via the YouTube Channel's comment section, my Discord, or simply fill out this form, and I will get back to you.

Fri, 09-May-2025

 All blogs