Google Maps Ranking Factors: What Impacts Your Local Business Rankings
When potential customers search for services like "plumber near me" or "HVAC repair," Google Maps results appear at the top of the search page. These local map listings are crucial for home service businesses because most customers choose from the first few results they see.
The Top 3 Google Maps Ranking Factors
Google uses hundreds of factors to determine local rankings, but three main categories have the biggest impact on where your business appears:
1. Relevance
This measures how well your business matches what someone is searching for. Google looks at your business information to understand what services you offer and whether you're a good match for the customer's needs.
2. Distance
Google considers how close your business is to the person searching. If someone searches from their home, businesses closer to them typically rank higher than those farther away.
3. Prominence
This refers to how well-known and established your business is. Google determines prominence through online reviews, website authority, and how often your business is mentioned across the web.
Key Factors That Boost Your Google Maps Rankings
Location-Based Factors
Why it's important: Your business location and how you display it affects your visibility in local searches. Google wants to show customers businesses that are easily accessible and legitimate.
What you can do: If you meet Google's criteria for displaying your address publicly, consider making it visible rather than hiding it. Ensure you have proper exterior signage and meet local business requirements.
Location factors:
Visible Address vs. Hidden Address: Google prefers businesses that display their address publicly, provided they meet the criteria with exterior signage and operate from a location customers can visit. For more detailed information about when and how to add your physical address, visit: https://docs.digitalshiftmedia.com/en/adding-physical-address-to-google-business-profile-listing
Service Area: Clearly define and optimize for the specific cities and neighborhoods you serve.
Customer Reviews
Why it's important: Reviews are one of the strongest ranking signals for local businesses. They provide social proof to potential customers and signal to Google that your business is legitimate and actively serving the community.
What you can do: Develop a consistent system for requesting reviews from satisfied customers. This could be as simple as asking at the end of each job or sending a follow-up text or email. Always respond professionally to reviews to show you value customer feedback.
Customer Review Factors:
Review Quantity: More reviews generally lead to better rankings. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews after completing jobs.
Review Quality: Detailed, genuine reviews that mention specific services help more than short, generic ones.
Review Recency: Fresh, recent reviews signal to Google that your business is active and currently serving customers.
Review Responses: Responding to all reviews (both positive and negative) shows Google and customers that you're engaged with your community.
Your Google Business Profile Optimization
Why it's important: Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront on Google Maps and search results. A complete, accurate profile helps Google understand your business and match you with relevant customer searches.
What you can do: Provide our team with high-quality photos and videos of your recent work, equipment, and team for us to use in Google Posts. Let us know about any new services, promotions, or seasonal offers so we can keep your profile fresh and engaging.
Google Profile Optimization factors:
Complete Business Information: Every section filled out completely and accurately, including your exact business name, full address, phone number, website, and business hours.
Accurate Business Categories: The most specific primary category selected that describes your main service (like "Plumbing Contractor" rather than just "Contractor"), with relevant secondary categories added for additional services you offer.
Regular Posts and Updates: Updates, photos of recent jobs, seasonal tips, and special offers shared through your Google Business Profile posts to keep your profile active.
High-Quality Photos and Videos: High-resolution, well-lit photos and videos uploaded of completed work, before/after shots, team members, and equipment. Fresh visual content shows Google your business is active and helps customers see the quality of your work.
Q&A Responses: Customer questions in the Q&A section actively monitored and responded to with quick, helpful answers that show Google and potential customers you're engaged and professional.
Citations and Online Presence
This is something we take care of with our Local SEO programs.
Consistent NAP Information: Your business Name, Address, and Phone number must be identical across all online directories, your website, and social media profiles.
Local Directory Listings: Being listed in relevant local directories and industry-specific sites (like Angie's List for home services) helps establish your local presence.
Website Quality: A professional website with local content, service pages, and contact information supports your local rankings.
On-Page Website Factors
We take care of this with our SEO content creation.
Local Keywords: Include location-based keywords naturally in your website content (like "Denver plumber" or "HVAC repair in Phoenix").
Service Pages: Create dedicated pages for each service you offer with local information and relevant content.
GEO (Areas Served) Pages: Localized and optimized areas served pages within your service area.
Need Help?
Local SEO and Google Maps optimization can be complex. If you need assistance improving your rankings or have questions about your Google Business Profile, contact our team at Digital Shift. We specialize in helping home service businesses dominate their local markets.