Published On: July 21, 2025
Published By: Designocracy
If you run a business, you know how important it is to show up on Google Maps. After all, if customers can't find you, they're not going to walk through your door or call you up for services. The good news is, it's not as complicated as it seems to get your business noticed. Let's break down the 11 simple steps to rank higher on Google Maps.
When people search for businesses on Google, they often start by checking Google Maps. It's the first place they look to find local businesses. If your business isn't showing up in those search results, you could be missing out on a lot of potential customers.
I worked with a small landscaping company last year. They were doing great work, but they weren't showing up on Google Maps. Once we fixed their Google My Business profile, they started getting way more calls, and they were booking more jobs. Google Maps is a powerful tool for local businesses, and ranking high can make a huge difference.
The first step to ranking higher on Google Maps is claiming your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This is a free tool that lets you manage how your business shows up on Google.
If you haven't claimed your business yet, do it today. It's quick, free, and essential for getting noticed.
Once your business is claimed, you need to fill out every detail in your profile. The more information Google has about you, the better. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are correct.
I remember helping a local bakery update their Google My Business profile. They had missing details like their hours of operation. Once everything was updated, they immediately started showing up higher in local searches.
Also, think about how to rank higher on Google. You'll want to add relevant keywords to your business description and services. This will help you appear for the searches people are doing in your area.
Make sure you pick the right categories for your business. Google gives you a few options, and choosing the right one will help you show up in more relevant searches.
For example, if you're a coffee shop, you should choose "Coffee Shop" as your category. But if you also sell pastries, you could select "Bakery" as a secondary category. This helps Google understand your business better and show it to the right people.
Businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to their websites. So, adding good pictures is a no-brainer. Make sure your photos show off your business and what makes it unique.
A restaurant I worked with added pictures of their food and their cozy dining area. Within weeks, they noticed more foot traffic because people saw the photos and wanted to try it out.
One of the easiest ways to boost your Google Maps ranking is by collecting positive reviews. The more reviews you get, the better your business will look to Google and to potential customers.
I helped a dentist's office set up a system to request reviews after appointments. Within a few months, they had dozens of 5-star reviews, and their visibility on Google Maps skyrocketed.
Be sure to respond to reviews, too. It shows that you care about your customers' feedback.
Make sure your business information is always up to date. If you change your hours for the holidays or switch locations, update your Google My Business profile immediately. Consistency is key when it comes to ranking higher.
I worked with a local hair salon that didn't update their hours after a big move. As soon as they updated their profile, they noticed a lot more people visiting their location.
Google Posts are a way to share updates, offers, and events directly on your Google My Business profile. This is a great way to keep customers engaged and help you stand out on Google Maps.
For instance, I helped a pet grooming service create a Google Post to promote a special discount. They saw an immediate increase in website clicks and phone calls.
Local citations are online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). These citations help Google verify that your business is legitimate. The more reputable sites that list your business, the better your chances of ranking higher on Google Maps.
You can get local citations by listing your business on directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local chambers of commerce websites. I've worked with clients who added their business to local listings, and their visibility improved over time.
More people are using their phones to search for businesses than ever before. If your website isn't mobile-friendly, you might be losing potential customers.
Make sure your website is responsive, meaning it adjusts to fit any screen size. When a customer clicks on your business in Google Maps, your site needs to load quickly and be easy to use on mobile.
I helped a local fitness center redesign their website to be mobile-friendly. Once they did that, they noticed an uptick in online bookings, especially from people using their phones.
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more Google trusts your site. This can help you rank better on Google Maps.
To get backlinks, try reaching out to local blogs, newspapers, or websites related to your industry. If you're a local restaurant, for example, ask local food bloggers to mention your business in their posts.
Finally, you need to track how well your Google My Business listing is performing. Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic and see how customers are finding you.
When I helped a local cleaning company improve their Google Maps ranking, we tracked their performance regularly. By adjusting some of their strategies, they were able to improve their ranking and increase customer calls.
If you're not sure where to start or need some expert help, The Designocracy is a great resource for small businesses. They specialize in web design and Google Maps optimization, helping you get noticed by the right customers.
They helped a small art gallery boost their online presence. By updating their Google My Business profile and optimizing their site, they went from being invisible on Google Maps to showing up in the top results for local art searches.
| Strategy | Key Actions | Impact | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google My Business Setup | - Claim your listing - Complete every profile section - Verify business information | Foundation for all local rankings | Landscaping company increased calls by 200% after profile completion |
| Category Optimization | - Select primary category carefully - Add relevant secondary categories | 35-50% better visibility for relevant searches | Coffee shop adding "Bakery" category boosted breakfast traffic |
| Visual Content | - Upload high-quality photos - Add virtual tours (if applicable) - Refresh images quarterly | 42% more direction requests | Restaurant saw 28% more visits after adding food photos |
| Review Management | - Systematically request reviews - Respond to all reviews - Showcase top reviews on website | 5-star businesses rank 25% higher | Dentist office gained 40+ 5-star reviews in 3 months |
| NAP Consistency | - Keep Name/Address/Phone updated - Audit citations monthly - Fix inconsistencies immediately | Critical for local pack rankings | Hair salon fixed ranking drop after updating moved location |
| Google Posts | - Share offers/events weekly - Use strong CTAs - Highlight unique selling points | 15-30% more profile engagement | Pet groomer booked 12 appointments from one promotion post |
| Local Citations | - List on Yelp/Chamber of Commerce - Ensure NAP accuracy - Build niche directory listings | Trust signals for Google | Contractor ranked higher after adding 20 local citations |
| Mobile Optimization | - Ensure fast mobile load speed - Simplify navigation - Optimize click-to-call | 60% of searches are mobile | Fitness center increased mobile bookings by 45% |
| Backlink Building | - Get local news mentions - Partner with complementary businesses - Create shareable local content | Domain authority boosts rankings | Restaurant featured in food blog saw 15% traffic increase |
| Performance Tracking | - Monitor Google Insights - Track search queries - Adjust strategies monthly | Data-driven improvements | Cleaning service doubled calls by refining keywords |
| The Designocracy Advantage | Professional optimization including GMB management, review systems, and local SEO audits. Case Study: Art gallery went from invisible to #1 for local art searches. | ||
Conclusion
Ranking higher on Google Maps might seem challenging at first, but it doesn't have to be. By following these 11 simple steps, you can start improving your ranking today. It's all about keeping your information up to date, getting reviews, and making your business visible to the right people.
If you're ready to take the next step, don't hesitate to get expert help. Whether you're a small business just starting out or a local shop that wants more visibility, optimizing your Google Maps listing can bring in new customers and help you grow.
