09/03/2026
Want to improve your visibility in local search?
Start with these seven steps:
1️⃣ Create and verify your Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile helps eligible businesses appear across Google Search and Maps.
Verification is essential, but it does not guarantee rankings. Local results are still primarily influenced by relevance, distance, and prominence.
2️⃣ Complete every relevant profile section
Add accurate categories, services, products, business hours, contact details, service areas, attributes, photos, videos, and a clear business description.
Publish updates when you have new offers, events, or important announcements, and respond professionally to customer reviews.
3️⃣ List your business on the platforms your customers use
Depending on your industry and location, this may include:
• Apple Maps
• Bing Places
• Yelp
• Facebook
• TripAdvisor
• Industry-specific directories
Do not create listings everywhere just to increase the number of citations. Prioritize platforms that are relevant to your audience and actually influence local discovery.
4️⃣ Keep your business information accurate
Your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and services should not conflict across major platforms.
Harmless formatting differences such as “Street” and “St.” are usually less important than incorrect phone numbers, outdated addresses, duplicate listings, or inconsistent opening hours.
5️⃣ Connect your website to your local presence
Display your address when customers can visit your location.
For service-area businesses that do not receive customers at their address, clearly explain the areas you serve instead of publicly displaying a residential or administrative address.
6️⃣ Add LocalBusiness structured data
Structured data can help search engines understand your business name, location, hours, contact details, and other information.
It supports clearer interpretation of your website, but it is not a shortcut or guarantee of higher rankings.
7️⃣ Create content for real local searches
Build useful pages around the locations and services you genuinely provide.
Use natural language in page titles, descriptions, headings, and website copy. Avoid keyword stuffing or adding promotional terms to your official business name.
Once your organic local presence is established, consider Google Ads or Local Services Ads.
Eligible businesses that complete the required screening and verification process may receive the Google Verified badge.
When choosing directories, do not look only at domain authority.
Consider:
• Whether your customers use the platform
• Whether it is relevant to your industry
• Whether it appears in search results
• Whether its data is used by maps, navigation tools, or other services
• Whether you can maintain the listing accurately
Need help setting up, correcting, and managing your local business listings?
We’ve got you covered.