When someone searches for a service near them, Google shows a map with three businesses before any website. Those three listings, the "map pack", get most of the calls and direction requests. Your Google Business Profile decides whether you're in it.
Google ranks local results on three things: relevance (does your profile match the search), distance (how close you are to the searcher) and prominence (how well known and well reviewed you are). You can't move your shop, but you can improve the other two.
The checklist
- Claim and verify your profile at business.google.com, using an email your business controls rather than a former employee's.
- Use your real business name. Adding keywords or city names to the name breaks Google's guidelines and can get the profile suspended.
- Choose the most specific primary category, such as "Dental clinic" rather than "Doctor", then add relevant secondary categories.
- Fill in every service or product with a short description. These help you appear for more specific searches.
- Set accurate opening hours, including special hours for holidays and festivals.
- Add your website, booking link and WhatsApp or phone number so people can act straight from the listing.
- Upload real photos: exterior (so people recognise you), interior, team and work. Add new photos every month.
- Write a description of up to 750 characters that says what you do, who for and where, in natural language.
- Ask every happy customer for a review, with a direct review link sent on WhatsApp after the visit or purchase.
- Reply to every review, good or bad, promptly. Keep replies short, polite and specific.
- Post updates, offers or events regularly. Posts show activity and give searchers a reason to choose you.
- Answer questions in the Q&A section, and add your own common questions with clear answers.
What not to do
- Don't buy reviews or offer discounts in exchange for 5-star ratings. Google removes them and can restrict your profile.
- Don't create profiles for addresses where you don't serve customers in person, such as virtual offices.
- Don't change your business name and category frequently. Each change can trigger a re-verification.
How long does it take?
Fixing categories, services and photos can lift visibility quickly. Building reviews and prominence in a competitive area takes steady effort. Track calls, direction requests and website clicks in the profile's Performance tab every month.
Want us to handle it? See our Local SEO service or request a free audit of your profile.
