For local businesses, the Google map pack drives more calls, direction requests and visits than almost any other channel. Here are ten practical ways to make your Google Business Profile work harder.

The essentials

  1. Choose the most accurate primary category — it is one of the strongest local ranking factors.
  2. Add secondary categories for every service you genuinely offer.
  3. Keep NAP consistent: your name, address and phone must match your website and directories exactly.
  4. Write a helpful description that explains who you serve and what makes you different.

Content that builds trust

  1. Upload real photos of your team, premises and work every month.
  2. Add your services and products with short descriptions and prices where possible.
  3. Publish Google Posts for offers, events and updates.

Reviews and engagement

  1. Ask every happy customer for a review with a simple short link.
  2. Reply to every review — positive and negative — professionally and quickly.
  3. Answer common questions in the Q&A section before customers ask.

Combine an optimised profile with strong location pages on your website and consistent citations, and you will give Google every reason to show you first.