Let’s be honest for a second. When you’re hungry and looking for a pizza place, or when your sink explodes and you need a plumber right now, where do you go?
You go to Google. Specifically, you look at that little map pack at the top of the results page with the three business listings.
If your business isn't in those top three spots, you are invisible to a huge chunk of your potential customers. We’ve been working in the industry for years, and we’ve seen great businesses fail simply because they treated their Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) like a "set it and forget it" task.
It’s not. It is a living, breathing part of your business.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to fix it. You just need to know what Google is looking for. Let’s walk through exactly how to get your business climbing those rankings.
1. The Golden Rule: Give as much detail as possible
This sounds simple, but you would be shocked at how many people skip this. Google trusts businesses that give them more information. A profile that is 100% complete is far more likely to rank than one that is 90% complete.
Action items:
Business Name: Use your actual real-world name. Don’t stuff keywords in there (e.g., don't use "India Plumbing - Best Plumber in India"). Google hates that and might suspend you.
Address and Phone: These must match exactly what is on your website. If you are "St." on your website, don't be "Street" on Google. We call this consistency.
Hours: Update them! If a customer drives to your store because Google said you were open, and you’re closed, they will leave a bad review. Guaranteed.
Attributes: Check off everything that applies. Wheelchair accessible? Women-owned? Free Wi-Fi? These act like little magnets for specific searches.
"Google isn't trying to trick you. They just want to confidently recommend the most reliable, relevant business to their users. Prove to them that you are that business."
2. Pick Your Categories Carefully
This is arguably the most important setting in your entire profile. You have a "Primary Category" and "Secondary Categories."
Your Primary Category tells Google what you are.
Your Secondary Categories tell Google what else you do.
Here is a breakdown of how to think about this:
| Feature | Primary Category | Secondary Category |
| What it is | The main label for your business. | Additional services you offer. |
| Impact | Massive impact on ranking. | Helps you show up for specific searches. |
| Example (Pizza Shop) | Pizza Restaurant | Italian Restaurant, Pizza Delivery, Sandwich Shop |
| Example (Lawyer) | Personal Injury Attorney | Law Firm, Legal Services, Trial Attorney |
Pro Tip: Be specific. If you are a "Criminal Justice Attorney," choose that instead of just "Lawyer."
3. Photos Are Not Optional
People buy with their eyes. Google knows this. Profiles with photos get significantly more requests for directions and clicks to their websites than those without.
But don’t just use stock photos of smiling people in suits. Google’s AI is smart enough to know those aren't real. Upload real photos of your team, your office, your trucks, or your products.
What to upload:
Exterior: Help people find your building.
Interior: Show them the vibe (is it cozy? professional? clean?).
Team: Humanize your business.
Work in progress: If you’re a cleaner, show a sparkling room. If you’re a baker, show the dough being kneaded.
4. The "Secret Weapon": Reviews
You know reviews matter, but do you know how they matter? It’s not just about having a 5-star rating. Google looks at three things:
Quantity: How many reviews do you have?
Quality: What is the average star rating?
Recency: When was the last review written?
If your last review was from 2019, Google thinks you might be out of business. You need a steady stream of new feedback.
How to get them:
Ask! It’s that simple. Send a text or email after a job is done.
Respond to EVERY review. Yes, even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones.
"Responding to reviews tells Google that you are active and engaged. It tells potential customers that you care about their experience. It is a win-win."
5. Use the "Posts" Feature
Think of your Google Business Profile like a mini-social media feed. You can publish "Posts" that show up right in your profile.
Use this to share:
Upcoming events.
Special offers or discounts.
New blog posts from your website.
New product arrivals.
Updates expire after a while, so try to post once a week. It sends a "heartbeat" signal to Google that your business is alive and kicking.
6. Questions & Answers (Q&A)
Right on your profile, there is a section where people can ask questions. Anyone can answer these -including your competitors or random strangers. You don’t want that.
The Strategy:
You can ask yourself questions and then answer them! This is perfectly allowed.
Q: "Do you offer free estimates?"
A: "Yes! We offer free, no-obligation estimates for all residential projects."
Load this section up with your most common FAQs. It saves customers time and helps you rank for those specific topics.
7. Add Your Products and Services
There are specific tabs for "Products" and "Services" in your dashboard. Fill these out with descriptions and prices (if applicable).
This helps Google understand exactly what you sell. If someone searches for "hot water heater repair" and you have that listed as a specific service, you are much more likely to show up than a plumber who just lists "plumbing."
Helpful Resources to Bookmark
Google Business Profile Help: The official manual. If you get stuck or suspended, start here.
PageSpeed Insights: If your website is slow, your local rankings can hurt. Check your speed here for free.
Google's Guidelines: Read this to make sure you aren't breaking any rules that could get you banned.
Ways to promote your Business Locally: Learn how to promote you Business Locally using Digital and Traditional Marketing.
Final Thoughts
Ranking higher on Google isn't about tricking the system. It's about being the best answer for the user.
If you are consistent, honest, and active on your profile, you will see results. It might take a few weeks or months to see the needle move, but once it does, the phone starts ringing. And that is what we are all here for, right?
Now, go open your profile and see what’s missing!
Need a Hand With This?
Managing your Google Business Profile takes time and consistency, and I know business owners are already wearing a dozen different hats. If you want to skip the learning curve and have a team of experts handle the heavy lifting for you, take a look at our SEO Services. Let’s get your business the visibility it deserves so you can focus on serving your customers.