How to Get Found on Google Maps: Local SEO Tips That Work

Ready to make Google Maps your new best mate? Let’s go.

How to Get Found on Google Maps: Local SEO Tips That Work

Ready to make Google Maps your new best mate? Let’s go.

You know that moment when you’re in a new town, absolutely starving, and you quickly pull out your phone, type “best burger near me,” and find a list of local eateries within a mile? That’s the magic of Google Maps. It’s become the go-to tool for people on the move, whether they’re searching for plumbers, pet groomers, or the perfect paneer tikka. If your business isn’t showing up in those local results—or if you’re buried beneath your competition—it’s time to change that.

In this guide, we’ll dive into how Local SEO and Google Maps work together, and we’ll give you actionable tips to ensure you rank where it matters: right at the top of local searches. Whether you’re a mum-and-dad shop or a multi-location brand, these strategies can help you outshine the competition and stay in the spotlight for your local area.

1. Why Ranking on Google Maps Is Non-Negotiable

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s be crystal clear about why you need Google Maps visibility in the first place.

  • Local Foot Traffic: People searching for a business “near me” are usually ready to buy or visit now. If you’re not popping up in Maps, you might as well not exist in their world.
  • Mobile Search Dominance: It’s 2025. Everyone is glued to their smartphones. Whether they’re browsing at home or wandering around town, Maps is often the first stop for a quick local search.
  • Credibility & Trust: Showing up in the top three (the coveted “local pack”) implies that Google trusts you—so potential customers tend to trust you too.

In short, if you aren’t leveraging Google Maps for local searches, you’re handing business to your competitors on a silver platter.

2. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

2.1 The Basics: Claiming Your Listing

Claiming your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is step number one. If you haven’t done this, pause, go do it now, then come back. It’s free, straightforward, and absolutely essential.

  1. Search for your business on Google Maps to see if a listing already exists.
  2. If you find your location, click “Claim this Business” or “Own this Business?”
  3. Follow the prompts—Google might send you a postcard or call to verify ownership.

2.2 Critical Info to Include

  • Business Name: Keep it consistent with what’s on your website and your shop signage. Don’t keyword-stuff—Google hates that.
  • Address: Ensure the address is exactly how it’s displayed on your site and social platforms.
  • Phone Number: Use a local number if you can, not a generic 0800 line (Google prefers local for local listings).
  • Website URL: Point it to your main site, or a specific local landing page if you have multiple locations.
  • Opening Hours: Keep them updated, especially around holidays or special events.

2.3 Categories, Attributes, and More

  • Primary Category: Choose the one that best describes your business (e.g., “Italian Restaurant,” “Estate Agent,” “Café”).
  • Secondary Categories: If you’re a bakery that also sells sandwiches and coffee, add relevant secondary categories to capture more searches.
  • Attributes: Child-friendly? Wheelchair accessible? Accepts credit cards? Let customers know at a glance.

Pro Tip: This might seem trivial, but searchers often filter by specific attributes—if you’ve got them, show them off.

3. Perfecting Your NAP Consistency

In the world of Local SEO, NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. It might sound like child’s play, but messy NAP data is a major reason businesses don’t rank well in local searches.

3.1 Why Consistency Matters

  • Search Engine Trust: Google cross-references your business details across the web. Mismatches (like “Street” vs. “St.” or different phone numbers) can lower Google’s confidence in your listing.
  • User Experience: Customers get confused if your listing says one thing and your website says something else. Confused customers rarely convert.

3.2 Where to Ensure Consistency

  • Your Google Business Profile
  • Your Website (contact page, footer, etc.)
  • Online Directories (Yell, Yelp, TripAdvisor, industry-specific listings)
  • Social Media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Action Step: If you’ve had a recent location change, new phone number, or rebrand, do a thorough sweep across the web and update everything immediately.

4. Review Power: How Ratings Impact Your Visibility

4.1 Why Reviews Affect Rankings

  • Trust Signals: Google’s algorithm factors in both the quantity and quality of reviews. Loads of positive reviews (especially recent ones) show that people value your business.
  • Local Pack Ranking: The top local results often have higher star ratings, more reviews, or both.

4.2 Strategies to Get Genuine Reviews

  • Simply Ask: Politely ask happy customers to leave a review—either in person, via email, or on social media.
  • Reminders: Post a sign near the checkout or include a “Review Us on Google” link in your email signature.
  • Respond to All Reviews: Good or bad. It shows you’re engaged, professional, and care about customer satisfaction.

4.3 Handling Negative Feedback

Don’t ignore negative reviews; address them. Apologise if necessary, clarify misunderstandings, and propose solutions. This can turn a disgruntled patron into a brand advocate—and it shows prospective customers that you’re proactive.

5. Local Citations and Directory Listings

Beyond Google Business Profile, there’s a whole digital ecosystem of local directories and platforms. Local citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone) across reputable sites can boost your local SEO.

5.1 Which Directories to Target

  • Major Players: Yelp, Yellow Pages, Bing Places, Apple Maps
  • Industry-Specific: If you’re a restaurant, consider TripAdvisor, OpenTable; for hotels, consider Booking.com, etc.
  • Local Directories: City council or chamber of commerce listings, local event websites, etc.

5.2 Consistency (Again)

Yes, we’re back on consistency. Make sure the way you list your details on these platforms matches exactly with your Google Business Profile and your site. It might feel repetitive, but trust us—precision pays off.

6. On-Page Local SEO: Tying It All Together

Don’t forget that your website and Google Maps listing work hand in hand. If you want to dominate local searches, your website must reflect all the local signals you’ve set up elsewhere.

6.1 Create Location-Specific Landing Pages

If you have multiple branches or serve multiple towns, create individual pages for each. They should mention:

  • Location: Full address and contact details
  • Service Area: Include relevant local keywords (e.g., “Serving Sheffield and surrounding areas”)
  • Local Landmarks: A mention of a nearby iconic site or district can reinforce locality

6.2 Embed a Google Map

Make it easier for visitors (and Google) to link your site with your Google Business Profile:

  • Widget or iFrame: Embed a live Google Map so users can see exactly where you’re located.
  • Driving Directions: Offer direct links to open Google Maps for navigation—especially handy for mobile users.

6.3 Structured Data Markup

If you’re technically inclined (or have a developer handy), add LocalBusiness schema markup to your pages. This helps Google understand your business info (address, phone, opening hours) directly. More clarity = better local rankings.

7. Local Link Building: Quality Over Quantity

We can’t talk SEO without mentioning the power of backlinks. For local SEO, it’s who links to you that matters most.

7.1 Local Partners & Sponsorships

  • Community Groups: Sponsor a local football team or community event; they often list sponsors (with links) on their website.
  • Local Charities: Fundraisers, volunteer efforts, or charity drives can lead to brand mentions and valuable backlinks.

7.2 Guest Blogging and Media Features

  • Local Publications: Write an expert piece for your local newspaper’s online portal. If they link back to your website, that’s a local signal search engines love.
  • Press Releases: If you’ve got news—new location, big hiring spree, unique product—pitch it to local journalists.

7.3 Avoid Dodgy Link Schemes

Buying links, spamming blog comments, or building “private blog networks” might give you a short-term boost, but Google can sniff that out quicker than you think. The penalty is rarely worth the risk.

8. Tracking Your Progress: Measuring Google Maps Success

Ranking high on Google Maps isn’t a one-and-done deal. You need to monitor how well your listing performs and adjust when necessary.

8.1 Google Business Profile Insights

Your dashboard gives you:

  • Search Queries: Which keywords people use to find you
  • Where They Find You: Maps vs. general search results
  • Actions: Calls, website clicks, direction requests

8.2 Website Analytics

Check your Google Analytics (or equivalent) for:

  • Location Data: Are more people from your city or surrounding areas visiting your site?
  • Traffic Sources: Has your “direct” or “organic” traffic from local queries increased?

8.3 Adjust & Optimise

Use the insights to refine your categories, respond to reviews, or add new photos. SEO is never static—especially local SEO. The businesses that stay on top of ongoing updates are the ones that continue to dominate.

9. Final Thoughts

Mastering Google Maps SEO isn’t rocket science, but it does require consistent effort, attention to detail, and a willingness to adapt. If your business depends on local foot traffic or local leads, ignoring Maps is essentially waving goodbye to potential customers who are already keen to buy what you’re selling.

Key Takeaways:

  • Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile meticulously.
  • Ensure your NAP details are consistent everywhere.
  • Encourage and respond to reviews—they’re an absolute game-changer.
  • Build local citations and relevant backlinks to boost credibility.
  • Keep an eye on your analytics and tweak as you go.

Your local audience is looking for you. The question is, will you show up on Maps—or vanish among the competition?

Ready to Take the Spotlight on Google Maps?

Don’t leave your local ranking to chance. We specialise in Local SEO that puts you on the map—literally. Get in touch today, and let’s craft a tailor-made strategy to help your business outshine the competition in local search. It’s time to make Google Maps your best lead generator, not just an afterthought. Let’s go!