My Business Profile: Set Up Google in Seychelles

Ask a customer to find your business on Google. If they see an old phone number, missing opening hours, or the wrong location, you have a problem before they reach your website.

Your my business profile is the information box that appears in Google Search and Google Maps. Google now calls the service Google Business Profile. Many business owners still search for “Google My Business”, so I’ll use both names here.

For a Seychelles business, this listing matters because visitors often search from a phone while moving around Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue. They want the address, phone number, photos, reviews, and directions quickly. A Facebook page doesn't replace that listing.

How do I see my business profile?

Sign in to the Google account that owns the listing. Search your business name on Google, or search “my business profile” while signed in. If Google recognises your account, you’ll see options to edit the profile directly in the search results.

You can also open Google Maps, sign in, tap your profile picture, and choose Your Business Profiles. Select the business you want to manage.

If nothing appears, check these points:

• You’re using the right Google account. Many owners create the profile with a personal Gmail address, then forget which one.
• The business name is written the same way as the listing.
• The profile has been verified.
• You have been added as an owner or manager.

The fastest test is simple. Ask someone outside your own phone and account to search for the business. Your private management view can show information that customers cannot see yet.

How do I access my Google Business Profile?

Your my business profile login is your normal Google account login. There is no separate Google Business Profile password. Go to Google Search or Google Maps while signed in, then search the business name.

You can also use the Business Profile Manager at business.google.com. Choose the correct Google account, then select the listing. If another person set it up, ask them to add your account as an owner or manager instead of sharing a password.

That matters for small teams. A former employee should not remain the only owner of your listing. Keep access with the business owner, then give staff the level of access they need. Review users once or twice a year.

If you see “Own this business?” or “Claim this business”, Google may not have connected the listing to your account. Follow the claim process. Google may ask you to verify by video, phone, email, or another method. The choices shown depend on the business and Google’s checks.

A business with a public address can usually show that location. A service-area business may hide its address and list the areas it serves. Don’t add a fake office in Victoria just because you want to appear there.

Is Google My Business really free?

Yes. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is free. You don’t need to pay Google to appear on Maps or to add your basic business information.

You may still pay for help with setup, photos, copywriting, local SEO, or regular updates. Those are service costs, not a Google listing fee. Be suspicious if someone says you must pay Google a monthly amount simply to keep your profile active.

Free doesn't mean automatic. You still need to check the listing, respond to reviews, add proper photos, and correct wrong information. A profile with one dark photo from 2019 won't do much for a guesthouse, restaurant, car-rental company, or tour operator.

Use the same name, address, phone number, and website everywhere. Small differences can confuse customers. This is especially common when a business has an old Facebook page, a directory listing, and a new website with different contact details.

For a practical local search setup, see our SEO and content service. You can also read how we approach projects on Our work.

How do I create a business profile?

Start at google.com/business or search for Google Business Profile while signed in. Then follow these steps:

1. Search for your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it instead of creating another one.
2. Add the official business name. Don’t add phrases such as “best car rental Mahé” unless that is genuinely part of your registered public name.
3. Choose the closest primary category. A car-rental business, guesthouse, restaurant, and church should not all use “local business”.
4. Add your phone number, website, opening hours, address, or service areas.
5. Complete verification using the option Google gives you.
6. Add a short description, useful photos, and any booking or contact link available.

The primary category deserves care. It tells Google what the business mainly does. Pick the main service first. Add secondary categories only when they accurately describe the business.

Your description should explain who you help and where you operate. For example:

“Family-run car rental service in Mahé, Seychelles, with airport collection and vehicles for island travel. Contact us for availability and booking information.”

That is clearer than “We are the leading solution for all your transport needs.” Keep claims you cannot prove out of the profile.

Western Cars Seychelles is a useful example of why this information needs to connect to the website. Its site was built in WordPress so the team could run it themselves, and it was made to load on Mahé 4G. A profile can bring the searcher in. The site still needs to answer the booking questions.

If your website is the weak point, review the web design and development service. Don’t send a customer from Google to a page with no prices, no vehicle details, or no clear way to ask about dates.

Quick checklist for a Seychelles business profile

Before you share the listing, check the following:

• Phone: Does it connect during business hours? If WhatsApp is your main contact, say so clearly on the website too.
• Hours: Include Sunday hours, public-holiday changes, and seasonal closures where relevant.
• Location: Is the pin in the right place? This matters on islands, where a small map error can send a visitor down the wrong road.
• Photos: Add the storefront, entrance, rooms, vehicles, products, or team. Use real images from your business.
• Languages: English may be enough for some customers, but French, German, or Italian information can help tourism businesses convert more enquiries.
• Reviews: Reply to good and bad reviews with a real answer. Don’t paste the same sentence each time.
• Website: Make sure the link works on a phone and loads over expensive or patchy outer-island connections.

Avoid creating duplicate listings for the same location. Don’t stuff the name with keywords. Don’t ask staff to post fake reviews. Those shortcuts can create more work later.

A basic profile can be created in one sitting. Verification time varies, and some businesses need extra checks. If you cannot access an existing listing, gather proof that you operate the business and use Google’s claim process rather than opening a duplicate.

Your my business profile is worth checking at least once a month, and before the tourist season starts. Search the listing as a customer, confirm the phone and map pin, then check the booking path. If you want help fixing the listing and the pages it sends people to, start a conversation.