How To Boost Your Google Maps Ranking

Jamie Carmichael
Mar 29
4 min read

Did You Know? 🚗📍

67% of people prefer using Google Maps for navigation 🌍
And most users never look beyond the first few results 📉
84% of consumers discover businesses through keyword searches, rather than searching for business names directly 🔍

These statistics highlight how crucial it is for your business to have a strong presence on Google Maps. Today, I’m sharing my top 7 strategies that have helped our clients rank higher on Google Maps. These proven tactics can elevate your business's visibility, and I’m confident they’ll work for you too 📈

First Things First: Get Listed on Google Maps 🗺️

If you haven't set up your Google Maps listing yet, here’s how to do it:

Visit Google Maps or open the Google Maps app.
Search for your business name.
If it doesn't appear, look for the "Add a missing place" option.
Enter your business name, category, and location.

Pro Tip: Just being listed isn’t enough. You must claim ownership of your listing to gain full control and access to all optimisation features ✍️

7 Tactics to Boost Your Google Maps Ranking 🚀

1. Claim Your Listing ✅

This is non-negotiable! Claiming your listing through Google My Business (GMB) is the first step to gaining control over your business’s visibility. This unlocks all the customisation options that directly impact your ranking. Without claiming your listing, you're limiting your potential for success.

2. Fill Out Every Detail 📋

Google rewards completeness, so make your listing as detailed and informative as possible. Think of your Google Maps listing as your digital storefront - the more attractive and comprehensive it is, the more likely Google is to rank it higher. Focus on these key areas:

Business Name & Address: Ensure consistency across all platforms. If you're listed as “North Shore Wellness Center” on your website, don’t abbreviate it to “N. Shore Wellness” on Google Maps 🏢
Phone Number: Use a local phone number, not a toll-free one. Google associates 800 numbers with spammy behavior. If you use call tracking, list your tracked number as primary and your main number as secondary 📞
Hours of Operation: Keep your hours updated. Customers are frustrated by inaccurate hours, and Google favors businesses that actively manage this information ⏰
Business Description: Write a compelling, keyword-rich description that clearly highlights your unique value proposition. This helps improve your ranking for relevant searches ✍️
Categories: Select a primary category carefully, as it’s one of the top ranking factors. Also, add relevant secondary categories to further enhance your visibility 📂

3. Add High-Quality Photos 📸

Listings with photos perform significantly better. Try to upload at least one new photo each week (or even daily if possible!). Showcase your space, your team, and your products - giving potential customers a real feel for your business. Photos help build trust and encourage engagement 📷

4. Gather Google Reviews ⭐

Google loves businesses that customers love. Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews, and be sure to respond to each review - whether positive or negative. Regular reviews signal trustworthiness and can significantly improve your rankings. One of our clients recently added 5 new reviews and saw their ranking jump three positions 🚀

5. Eliminate Duplicate Listings ❌

Duplicate listings confuse Google and can harm your ranking. If you discover duplicates of your business listing, make sure to clean them up through your Google My Business dashboard. Keeping your listing streamlined and consistent will improve your visibility ⚙️

6. Post Regularly 📢

Think of your Google Maps listing as a mini social media platform. Regular posts about events, promotions, or updates signal to Google that you are active and engaged. It also provides potential customers with timely information when they are searching for businesses like yours. Keep your content fresh and relevant to maintain visibility. 📝

7. Create Location-Specific Pages 📍

If your business serves multiple areas, consider creating location-specific pages for each region you serve. One of our clients, a home services company, saw a 32% increase in map visibility after adding neighborhood-specific pages. Localised content increases relevance and helps boost your rankings in targeted areas 🌆

Why It All Matters 🏆

Ranking higher on Google Maps isn't just about visibility on the map itself - it's about appearing in the Local 3-Pack of search results! The Local 3-Pack includes the top 3 businesses for a given search query and shows up directly in regular Google search results. With 46% of Google searches having local intent, securing a spot in this coveted area can greatly increase your business’s exposure.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Let Us Help! 🤝

We understand that all of this can feel like a lot to manage. That’s where we come in! Our team can audit your current Google Maps presence and implement these strategies to help you boost your rankings. Let us handle the heavy lifting while you focus on running your business.