When someone searches for a service “near me”, Google shows a map with three businesses before any website. That box is the map pack, and for most local service companies it is the most valuable space on the internet.
What Google looks at
Google has said for years that local rankings come down to three things: relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well your profile matches the search. Distance is how far you are from the person searching. Prominence is how well known and well reviewed your business is.
You cannot move your building, so the work is in relevance and prominence.
Improve relevance
- Choose the most accurate primary category, then add the secondary categories that apply.
- List every service you offer, with a short description of each.
- Set your service areas to the cities you really cover.
- Use the same wording on your website that customers use when they search.
Build prominence
- Ask every satisfied customer for a review, and reply to each one.
- Keep your name, address and phone number identical everywhere they appear.
- Post updates and new photos every week so the profile looks active.
- Earn mentions from local organizations, suppliers and news sites.
Check where you really rank
Your ranking changes block by block. A business can be first near its office and invisible five miles away. Use a grid-based rank tracker, or ask your agency for one, so you can see the whole service area rather than a single spot.
How long it takes
Most businesses see movement in three to six months of steady work. Newer profiles and competitive cities take longer. The businesses that hold the top three are rarely doing anything secret. They are simply more complete, more reviewed and more active than the ones below them.