When someone in Abuja is on the lookout for a reliable restaurant, salon, clinic, mechanic, etc., they can easily turn to Guide Hub. By getting your business listed on Guide Hub, you create a public profile that helps you shine when customers are searching for the services you offer!

This friendly guide will take you step-by-step from signing up to having your listing live and ready for action! The best part is, you can do most of this right on your phone during a quiet moment at your shop.

Already spotted your business on Hub? That’s fantastic! Just a quick reminder: please don’t create a second page. Instead, go ahead and claim and verify your existing listing. We’re excited to help you connect with new customers!

What to have ready

To get things rolling smoothly, it’s helpful to gather the following information before you start:

1. The name that your customers call you, which should match your sign.

2. Your address, or a note letting people know that you come to them.

3. A phone number where someone is available to answer calls.

4. Your email address and website, if you have them.

5. Your main category, This is what people would search for to find you.

6. A few nice photos of your workplace, your team, or what you do.

7. Your regular opening hours for a typical week.

And don’t worry about creating a brochure! Hub pages are meant to be easily skimmed on a phone, usually by folks who are making quick decisions about where to go next.

Step 1: Create your Guide account

  1. Go to guideutility.co/signup.
  2. Sign up with your email or Google account.
  3. Choose Business Owner account.
  4. Open your business dashboard.

Remember the difference: the dashboard is where you edit, and Hub is what customers see.

Step 2: Start your listing

To set up your business account, start by navigating to the Business screen and selecting the setup option, often labeled as "Setup your account" or "Add a business." You'll need to provide some essential information:

- Name: Choose a name that potential customers will search for.

- Location: Enter your address and place a map pin to indicate your business location.

- Category: Select the category that best represents your business for accurate matching.

- Phone: Provide a phone number that is actively answered by a real person.

- Website: You can include your website link, or you can indicate that you don't have one at this time.

If you're not ready to publish your information yet, you can choose to save it as a draft. Drafts remain private until you decide to make them public.

Step 3: Fill in what customers see

To effectively improve your listing, take the following steps using the checklist available on your dashboard, focusing on these four key sections:

1. Description: Craft a concise paragraph that highlights what your business offers, identifies your target audience, and sets clear expectations for visitors. Approach the writing as if you’re personally explaining your business to someone at a social gathering, avoiding technical jargon or keyword stuffing.

2. Hours: Clearly outline your regular operating hours and make updates to reflect any holiday hours as needed. It’s crucial to provide accurate information to prevent potential customers from encountering a locked gate when they arrive, particularly on weekends.

3. Facilities: Include accurate details about the amenities available at your location. This might encompass parking options, Wi-Fi availability, delivery services, outdoor seating, access to power (such as a generator or consistent electricity), and wheelchair access. Be honest about what you offer and omit anything you are uncertain about.

4. Photos: Use high-quality, genuine images in the following sequence (The quality of the images you use plays a crucial role in how your business appears in search results. High-quality images can help elevate your listing to the top of the search results, making it more visible to potential customers. In contrast, poor-quality images may cause your listing to be placed lower in the search rankings. To enhance your online presence and ensure customers can easily find your business, it's important to use high-resolution, visually appealing images.):

- A clear photo of the exterior of your building or shopfront for recognizable arrival.

- Images of the interior or the area where you serve customers.

- Pictures showcasing your products, menu items, or finished work.

Ensure that the photos are well-lit and in focus, as even one blurry image can detract from the professionalism of your listing. A few bright and clear images can be far more effective than numerous dark, unclear ones.

Step 4: Review and publish

Once you've completed the checklist, verify your settings and click on the publish button. After that, access your public Hub page on your mobile device to ensure everything is in order:

1. Confirm that your name and address are accurate.

2. Make sure the map pin is correctly placed on your actual building.

3. Check that your operating hours are correct and that the phone number connects properly.

4. Ensure all your photos load correctly.

When promoting your business, be sure to share your public Hub link rather than the dashboard link for optimal visibility.

Step 5: Keep it fresh

Maintaining your listing is an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. After launching your listing, consider the following steps for effective management:

- Update your operating hours whenever they change.

- Replace outdated photos following renovations or updates to your menu.

- Respond to reviews as they come in to engage with your audience.

- Adjust your categories if your offerings evolve or expand.

- If you’ve claimed an existing page, make sure to verify ownership to retain full access to chat functions and owner tools.

Regular, small updates to your listing can be more beneficial than a perfect one that remains static over time.

Mistakes we see all the time

  1. Contact Information: Avoid using a placeholder phone number; make sure to provide a real number as potential customers will rely on it for communication.

2. Accurate Location Identification: Use the names that locals recognize and refer to when specifying your area. For example, instead of using the official zone code, opt for terms like "Wuse 2" to enhance visibility.

3. Quality Visuals: Aim to include at least three high-quality photos of your business. One weak image is not sufficient to attract customers.

4. Avoid Duplicate Listings: If your business is already listed on Hub, you should claim that existing listing rather than creating a duplicate page.

5. Specific Category Selection: Choose a clear and specific category for your business; for instance, simply stating "Lifestyle hub" is too vague. If you run a gym, make sure to categorize it accordingly for better searchability.

By following these guidelines, you can enhance your listing's effectiveness and reach more customers.

After you publish

Customers can now find you while browsing areas and categories, on the map, or through a link someone sends them. To understand how that works and how to show up more often, read how customers find businesses on Guide Hub.

Next steps