How to Show Up on Google Maps When People Search for Your Business

Imagine this: someone in your city pulls out their phone, types "best pizza near me" or "plumber open now," and a map pops up with three businesses.

Is your business one of them?

If not, you're leaving money on the table. The Google Map Pack (those top 3 results) gets 44% of all local searches clicks. If you're not there, your competitors are getting those customers.

The good news? Getting on the map isn't magic. It's a checklist. Here's exactly what you need to do.

Step 1: Claim Your Google Business Profile

If you haven't done this, stop everything and do it now. It's free.

Go to google.com/business and click "Manage now." Enter your business name and address. If it shows up, claim it. If not, create a new listing.

Step 2: Fill Out EVERY Single Field

Google wants complete profiles. Incomplete profiles look suspicious and rank lower.

Here's what you must fill out:

Pro tip: Add photos every week. Businesses with more photos get more clicks.

Step 3: Get Reviews (And Reply to Them)

Reviews are the #1 ranking factor for local SEO. More reviews = higher maps ranking.

But there's a trick: reply to every review. Google sees you engaging with customers and rewards you.

Step 4: Keep Your NAP Consistent Everywhere

NAP = Name, Address, Phone number.

Google checks if your business info matches across the web. If your website says "Main St" but your Yelp page says "Main Street," Google gets confused and may not show you.

You want your NAP identical on:

• Your website footer
• Google Business Profile
• Facebook, Yelp, Bing, Yellow Pages, etc.

This is called "citations." More consistent citations = more trust.

Step 5: Post Updates Regularly

Google Business Profile lets you post updates, offers, events, and photos—just like social media. Businesses that post at least weekly rank higher.

You don't need a fancy strategy. Just post:

• "New menu items this week"
• "We're hiring!"
• "Check out our weekend special"
• Behind-the-scenes photos

Step 6: Choose the Right Categories

Your primary category is super important. Choose the one that best describes your core business. For example, a pizza place should pick "Pizza Restaurant" as primary, not just "Restaurant."

You can also add up to 9 secondary categories. Add relevant ones like "Italian Restaurant," "Delivery Restaurant," "Family Restaurant."

Bonus: Add Products or Services

Google now lets you list specific products and services right in your profile. This makes your listing bigger and gives searchers more reasons to click.

If you're a salon, list your haircut prices. If you're a contractor, list "bathroom remodel" with a price range. It builds trust and sets expectations.

How Long Does It Take?

If you do all the steps above, you can start seeing results in 2–4 weeks. The more consistent you are, the faster you'll climb.

And remember: The map pack changes based on who's searching. Someone searching "plumber" in North Hollywood will see different results than someone in Glendale. So your goal is to be relevant to your specific area.