How Google decides who shows up
Google says local results are based mainly on three things: how well your profile matches the search (relevance), how far you are from the person searching (distance), and how well known your business is (prominence). Source: Google, Tips to improve your local ranking (opens in a new tab). You can't change distance. You can improve the other two.
Step 1: Claim and verify your profile
Search for your business on Google or go to Google Business Profile, claim the listing (or create one), and verify it. Use your real business name, exactly as customers see it. Google's rules: Guidelines for representing your business on Google (opens in a new tab).
Step 2: Fill in everything
- The right main category, plus a few more that truly describe what you do.
- Service areas, if you go to your customers. Hide your home address if you don't serve customers there.
- Hours, phone number and website.
- Your services, with prices if you list them on your website.
- Real photos: your work, your storefront, your team.
Your name, phone number and town should match exactly everywhere: your website, Facebook, Yelp and other directories.
Step 3: Get reviews the right way
- Ask real customers after a job goes well, and send them your review link.
- Never pay for reviews or offer a discount or gift in return. Google doesn't allow it. Source: Google Maps prohibited and restricted content (opens in a new tab).
- Don't write reviews for yourself, and don't ask staff or family to review you.
- Reply to every review, good or bad, within a few days.
Step 4: Keep it active
Post an update, an offer or a photo of recent work about once a week. Answer questions. Update your hours for holidays.
Step 5: Make your website back it up
Your site should say what you do and where you work, in plain words, with the same name, phone number and town as your profile.
What I do: Get Found, $600 one time
Google Business Profile setup or cleanup, plus local search setup: listings, categories, service areas, photos and basic search fixes on your site. Want it kept up after that? Local Visibility is $175 a month: 4 Google profile posts, review monitoring with reply drafts for your OK, listing checks and a monthly report. Monthly plans have a 3-month minimum, then cancel with 30 days' notice. I don't run paid ads.