How to Rank on Google Maps: Google Business Profile Optimisation Guide

When people search for a local service, Google usually shows a map with three businesses, the "local pack", before any website results. Those three spots get a large share of calls and direction requests. Your ticket in is a well-optimised Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

1. Get the basics exactly right

• Business name: use your real-world name. Stuffing keywords into it ("Sharma Dental Clinic Best Dentist Amritsar") violates guidelines and risks suspension.
• Address or service area: show your address if customers visit you. Service-area businesses should hide the address and list the areas they serve.
• Phone and website: use a local number and link to the most relevant page, often a location page rather than the homepage.
• Hours: keep them accurate, including holiday hours. Nothing loses trust faster than a customer arriving to a closed shutter.

2. Choose categories carefully

Your primary category has a big influence on what you rank for. Pick the most specific one that describes your core business ("Indian restaurant" rather than "Restaurant"). Then add secondary categories for other genuine services. Check which categories your top-ranking competitors use.

3. Fill in services, products and attributes

List every service with a short description, and add products with photos and prices where it makes sense. Attributes such as "wheelchair accessible", "online appointments" or "women-owned" help you appear for more specific searches.

4. Upload real photos, regularly

Profiles with plenty of good photos tend to get more engagement. Add your storefront (so people recognise it), interior, team, products and completed work. Upload new photos every month. Avoid stock images.

5. Build a steady stream of reviews

Review quantity, quality, recency and your responses all matter. Create a short review link from your profile dashboard and send it on WhatsApp after every completed job. Reply to every review within a couple of days. Thank happy customers and address complaints calmly and constructively.

6. Publish posts every week

Google posts let you share offers, events and updates directly on your listing. They show that the business is active, and give searchers another reason to choose you. Add a photo and a clear call-to-action button to each.

7. Answer questions before customers ask

Use the Q&A section to add common questions and answers yourself: parking, payment methods, delivery areas, languages spoken. Monitor it, because anyone can post a question or an answer.

8. Support your profile with your website

Google cross-checks your profile against your website. Make sure your site shows the same name, address and phone, includes LocalBusiness schema, and has strong pages for your main services. A good site makes the profile rank better. See our complete local SEO guide.

Mistakes that get profiles suspended

• Keyword stuffing the business name.
• Using a virtual office or PO box as a physical address.
• Creating duplicate listings for the same location.
• Buying reviews or offering incentives for reviews.

Our SEO packages include full Google Business Profile management, from setup to weekly posts and review strategy. Ask for a free profile audit.