How to Rank in the Google Map Pack
The "Map Pack" is the box of three businesses that shows up with a map when someone searches for a local service. Getting into it can bring a steady stream of calls without paying per click. Here's what moves the needle.
By Eva Lockwood, Lockwood Marketing
What Google looks at
Google says local rankings depend mainly on three things: relevance (how well your business matches the search), distance (how close you are to the searcher), and prominence (how well-known and trusted your business is, including reviews and links). You can't change distance, but you can improve the other two.
1. Complete your Google Business Profile
- Choose the most accurate primary category, and add secondary categories for other services
- Fill in every field: hours, service areas, services, description, and attributes
- Add real photos of your work, team, and vehicles, and keep adding new ones
- Make sure your business name, address, and phone number match your website exactly
2. Get more (and better) reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest signals for local rankings and for convincing people to call. Ask every happy customer, make it easy with a direct review link, and reply to every review, good or bad.
3. Make your website back it up
Your website should have a page for each main service and clearly state the areas you serve. Google uses your site to confirm what your business does and where.
4. Build consistent citations
Citations are listings of your business on other sites, like directories and industry sites. Keep your name, address, and phone number identical everywhere so Google trusts the information.
5. Stay active
Post updates, answer questions, and add photos to your profile regularly. Active, up-to-date profiles tend to perform better than ones that were set up once and forgotten.