Guide · SEO
How to get your business on Google
The steps that get a Singapore business showing up on Google Search and Google Maps, in the order that matters.
When customers need a business like yours, most start with a Google search. Showing up there takes a few free setup steps, a website built the right way, and steady effort over time. Here is what to do, roughly in order of impact.
1. Claim your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is the listing that appears on Google Maps and in the local results for searches such as "café near me". It is free.
- Go to google.com/business and search for your business name. Claim it if it exists, or create it.
- Choose the most accurate primary category, and add secondary categories that apply.
- Verify the profile. Google will tell you which method is available, such as a phone call, video or postcard.
- Add your hours, phone, website, services and plenty of real photos.
2. Ask for reviews
Reviews help you rank on Google Maps and help customers choose you. Ask happy customers soon after a good experience, with a direct link to your review form. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely.
3. Have a website Google can understand
- One page per service. A page about "aircon servicing" can rank for aircon servicing. A single page listing ten services rarely ranks for any of them.
- Clear titles and headings that use the words customers search for, such as your service and your area.
- Fast and mobile-friendly. Most local searches happen on phones.
- Structured data, code that tells Google your business name, address, hours and services.
- Consistent details. Your name, address and phone should match exactly across your website, Google profile and directories.
Our SEO-friendly website design builds all of this in from day one.
4. Connect Google Search Console
Search Console is Google's free tool for website owners. Verify your domain, submit your sitemap, and you can see which searches show your site, how often people click, and any problems Google finds. Microsoft offers the same with Bing Webmaster Tools, which also feeds other search engines.
5. Get listed and linked
Links from other trusted websites tell Google your business is real and relevant. Good starting points are industry associations, local business directories, suppliers and partners, and local news or community sites. Quality matters far more than quantity: avoid paying for bulk links.
6. Answer your customers' questions
Write helpful pages or articles that answer the questions customers ask before buying: costs, timelines, comparisons and how-tos. This builds trust and brings in searches your service pages don't cover.
How long does it take?
A Google Business Profile can appear within days of verification. Ranking a website for competitive searches takes longer, usually months of steady work rather than weeks. The businesses that win are the ones that keep at it.
Is it free to list my business on Google?
Yes. Google Business Profile and Google Search Console are both free. Paid Google Ads are optional and separate.
Why doesn't my business show up on Google?
Common reasons: no verified Google Business Profile, a new website Google hasn't found yet, no sitemap submitted, a single page trying to cover every service, or very few reviews and links compared with competitors.
Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
A profile alone can bring in calls, but a website lets you rank for many more searches, explain your services properly and capture enquiries. Google also uses your website to understand your business.
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