One of the things I enjoy most about working with ajani is that we get to see businesses beyond their websites and social media pages. Every week, we're out meeting business owners, visiting properties and helping them become more discoverable online.
Recently, while listing a property on ajani, I ran into something that made me stop and think.
The vendor sent us the property's address, so as part of our normal process, I opened Google Maps to verify the location before publishing the listing. Google couldn't find it.
Rather than taking me to the property, it dropped a pin somewhere within the neighborhood. The address wasn't wrong, but it wasn't precise enough for Google to confidently direct someone to the front door. We eventually located the property, but I kept asking myself one question. If I struggled to find it while listing the property, what happens to a customer who has never been there before? The answer is probably simple.
They give up.
Today, most people don't ask for directions anymore. They search on Google. If Google can't confidently tell them where your business is, many won't spend time driving around or calling for help. They'll simply move on to another business that's easier to find. Over the past few months, this hasn't been the only time we've seen this.
As ajani continues listing hotels, shortlets, event centers and other businesses across Ibadan and Oyo State, we've noticed a pattern. Some businesses don't appear on Google at all. Others have inaccurate locations. Some have no business hours, no contact number or only one blurry photo uploaded years ago. What's interesting is that many of these businesses are actually very good.
Some have beautiful facilities, excellent customer service and loyal customers. Their problem isn't quality. It's visibility, you can't expect customers to visit a business they can't find. The Small Tool Many Businesses Overlook
Whenever we point this out to business owners, the response is usually the same. "I thought my business was already on Google." Sometimes that's true But having your business mentioned somewhere online isn't the same as having a properly managed Google Business Profile.
A Google Business Profile tells Google exactly who you are, where you're located and how customers can reach you. It also allows your business to appear properly on Google Search and Google Maps with your phone number, operating hours, reviews, photos and directions. The good news is that creating one is completely free.
How to Create a Google Business Profile
If you haven't done it before, here's how to get started.
Step 1: Visit Google Business Profile, go to business.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
Step 2: Enter your business name, use the same name customers know your business by. Avoid adding unnecessary keywords.
Step 3: Choose the correct business category. Whether you're a hotel, restaurant, event center or shortlet, selecting the right category helps Google understand your business.
Step 4: Set your exact location, this is probably the most important step. Don't allow Google to guess your location. Zoom in and place the map pin exactly where customers should arrive. If the property I was listing had been accurately pinned, Google would have taken me directly there instead of the surrounding area.
Step 5: Add your contact details, Include your phone number, website and booking link if you have one.
Step 6: Set your business hours, make sure customers know when you're open.
Step 7: Upload quality photos, show your entrance, reception, rooms, facilities or products. Good photos help customers decide whether to visit.
Step 8: Verify your business
Google will guide you through the verification process, which may be by phone, email, video or another available method, once verified, your profile becomes much more useful to both Google and your customers.
Why This Matters
At ajani, our mission is to make it easier for people to discover trusted businesses across Oyo State. But we've also realized that discovery doesn't start with ajani alone. For many customers, it starts with a simple Google search, If Google can't find your business, or can't direct people to your door, you could be losing customers without ever knowing it.
Creating a Google Business Profile won't solve every challenge your business faces, but it's one of the simplest improvements you can make. Sometimes, getting more customers doesn't require a new building, a bigger advertising budget or a complete rebrand, sometimes it starts with making sure the map leads people to your front door. And from what we've seen while working with businesses across Ibadan and Oyo State, that's a change worth making.
