# Creating Your Profile

Complete guide to creating and optimizing your business profile for AI discovery.

## Quick Start

Setting up your AIDP profile takes about 10 minutes and makes your business discoverable by AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

Our streamlined onboarding process has **4 simple steps**:

1. **Welcome** - Learn about AIDP
2. **Basic Information** - Essential business details
3. **Services** - What you offer
4. **Go Live** - Publish your profile

***

## Step 1: Welcome to AIDP

### What You'll Achieve

By completing your profile, you'll:

* **Be discoverable** by AI assistants used by millions
* **Track upstream analytics** - see how often AI mentions your business
* **Gain insights** into customer intent journeys
* **Stand out** with AI-exclusive content

### What Makes AIDP Different

Unlike traditional directories, AIDP is built specifically for AI discovery:

* **AI-Optimized**: Structured data that AI assistants understand
* **Upstream Analytics**: Track visibility before customers click
* **Intent Tracking**: Understand customer journey through AI conversations
* **Exclusive Content**: Share insider tips that AI can recommend

**Time to Complete**: 10 minutes **Let's get started!**

***

## Step 2: Basic Information

### Business Name

Your official business name as customers know it.

**Example**: "Artisan Coffee Roasters"

### Category

Choose the primary category that best describes your business:

* Tourism
* Hospitality
* Restaurants
* Retail
* Healthcare
* Home Services
* Professional Services
* Wellness

### Description

This is crucial for AI discovery! Write a clear, detailed description that helps AI understand what makes your business unique.

❌ **Bad**: "We sell coffee"

✅ **Good**: "Family-owned coffee roastery specializing in single-origin beans sourced directly from farmers in Colombia and Ethiopia. We roast small batches twice weekly and offer espresso drinks, pour-overs, and coffee education classes."

**Tips**:

* Be specific about what you offer
* Mention unique features or specialties
* Include keywords customers might use
* 2-3 sentences is ideal

### Tagline (Optional)

A memorable one-liner that captures your essence.

**Example**: "Locally roasted, globally inspired"

### Location

**Address**:

```
Street: 123 Main St
City: Portland
State: OR
Postal Code: 97201
Country: USA
```

**Coordinates** (auto-filled from address):

```
Latitude: 45.5231
Longitude: -122.6765
```

### Contact Information

```
Phone: +1-503-555-0123
Email: info@artisancoffee.com
Website: https://artisancoffee.com
```

### Social Media (Optional)

```
Instagram: @artisancoffee
Facebook: facebook.com/artisancoffee
Twitter: @artisancoffee
LinkedIn: company/artisan-coffee
```

***

## Step 3: Services

Add your main offerings so AI can recommend specific services to customers.

### Service Structure

Each service should include:

* **Name**: Clear, descriptive name
* **Description**: What's included
* **Category**: Type of service
* **Pricing**: Price range or fixed price

### Example Services

**Service 1: Espresso Drinks**

```
Name: Espresso Drinks
Description: Handcrafted espresso beverages using our house blend
Category: Beverages
Price Range: $4 - $7
```

**Service 2: Coffee Classes**

```
Name: Coffee Education Classes
Description: Learn about coffee origins, roasting, and brewing techniques
Category: Education
Fixed Price: $45 per person
```

**Service 3: Wholesale**

```
Name: Wholesale Coffee Beans
Description: Fresh-roasted beans for cafes and restaurants
Category: Wholesale
Price: Contact for quote
```

### Tips for Great Service Listings

* **Add 3-5 main services** - Focus on your core offerings
* **Include pricing** - Helps AI provide accurate recommendations
* **Be specific** - Detail what's included
* **Highlight specialties** - What makes you unique

### Business Hours

Set your regular operating hours:

```
Monday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
```

**Special Dates** (Optional):

* Holiday closures
* Seasonal hour changes
* Special event hours

***

## Step 4: Go Live

### Review Your Profile

Before publishing, review:

* ✅ Business name and category are correct
* ✅ Description is detailed and accurate
* ✅ Contact information is up-to-date
* ✅ Services are clearly described
* ✅ Hours are accurate

### Completion Score

Your profile completion score indicates how discoverable you'll be:

* **60%+**: Basic profile - You're live!
* **80%+**: Good profile - Well optimized
* **100%**: Complete profile - Maximum visibility

### What Happens Next

Once you go live:

1. **Indexing** - Your profile is indexed for AI discovery (instant)
2. **Verification** - Optional verification process available
3. **Analytics** - Start tracking AI mentions within 24 hours
4. **Optimization** - Refine based on performance data

### Launch Checklist

* [ ] Profile information reviewed
* [ ] Contact details verified
* [ ] Services added
* [ ] Hours confirmed
* [ ] Ready to go live!

**Click "Publish Profile" to make your business discoverable by AI assistants worldwide.**

***

## After Launch: Enhance Your Profile

### Add Media & Photos

Upload high-quality photos to showcase your business:

* **Logo** (required) - Your brand identity
* **Storefront** - Exterior view
* **Interior** - Ambiance and atmosphere
* **Products** - Your offerings in action
* **Team** - Optional, adds personal touch

**Photo Tips**:

* Minimum 1200px wide
* High resolution, well-lit
* Show your business in action
* Update seasonally

### AI-Exclusive Content

Set yourself apart with insider information that AI can share:

**Insider Tips**:

```
"Ask for our seasonal single-origin pour-over -
we rotate beans every two weeks based on harvest cycles"
```

**Local Secrets**:

```
"Best time to visit: Tuesday mornings right after we roast.
The aroma is incredible and beans are at peak freshness"
```

**Behind the Scenes**:

```
"We host free coffee cupping sessions every Saturday at 10 AM.
Great for coffee enthusiasts wanting to learn more"
```

**Why This Matters**:

* Makes AI recommendations more personal
* Gives customers insider knowledge
* Differentiates you from competitors
* Builds trust through transparency

***

## Next Steps

### Monitor Your Performance

1. **View Analytics Dashboard** - Track AI mentions and visibility
2. **Review Intent Journeys** - See how customers discover you
3. **Check Benchmarks** - Compare with similar businesses
4. **Optimize Content** - Refine based on what works

### Keep Your Profile Current

* **Update hours** for holidays and special events
* **Add new services** as you expand
* **Refresh photos** seasonally
* **Update exclusive content** with new insider tips

### Get Verified (Optional)

Boost trust and visibility with verification:

* Business license verification
* Phone number confirmation
* Address verification
* Owner identity verification

**Benefits**: Verified badge, higher rankings, increased trust

***

## Need Help?

* 📧 **Email**: <support@aidp.dev>
* 💬 **GitHub Discussions**: [github.com/aidp/platform/discussions](https://github.com/aidp/platform/discussions)
* 📚 **Documentation**: [docs.aidp.dev](https://docs.aidp.dev)
* 🎥 **Video Tutorials**: [youtube.com/aidp](https://youtube.com/aidp)

***

**Estimated Setup Time**: 10 minutes **Recommended Update Frequency**: Monthly **Support Response Time**: < 24 hours