When someone searches for a service 'near me', Google shows a map with three local businesses above the regular results. Getting into that map pack is one of the highest-return things a local business can do — and it's driven largely by your Google Business Profile. Here's how to set it up properly and keep it working for you.
Claim and verify first
If you haven't claimed your profile, that's step one. Search your business name, claim the listing, and complete Google's verification. An unverified or unclaimed profile can't be fully optimised and may show wrong information that you can't control.
Complete every field — properly
Google favours complete, accurate profiles. Fill in everything, and make sure your details exactly match what's on your website and other listings across the web.
- Accurate name, address, and phone number
- Correct primary and secondary categories
- Business hours, including holiday hours
- Services, products, and a genuine description
- Real, high-quality photos of your work and premises
Reviews are your biggest lever
Reviews strongly influence both your ranking and whether people choose you. Ask happy customers to leave one, make it easy by sharing a direct link, and reply to every review — positive or negative — politely and promptly. A steady stream of genuine reviews beats a burst of fake ones, which Google can detect and penalise.
Keep it active
A profile you set and forget slowly loses ground. Google rewards active listings, so treat it a little like a social channel.
- Post updates, offers, and news regularly
- Add fresh photos every month
- Answer questions in the Q&A section
- Update hours and info whenever anything changes
Connect it to your website
Your profile and website work best together. Link to your site, use consistent information across both, and add local content and schema on your website so Google confidently connects the two. Businesses that align their profile and site tend to hold stronger, more stable local rankings.