If you're a small business owner, ranking higher on Google Maps and local search can be the difference between getting consistent leads or being invisible online. When potential customers search for a service “near me”, businesses that appear in the Google Local Pack (the top three listings in Google Maps) get the most traffic, calls, and sales.

So, how do you improve your local SEO and rank higher on Google Maps? Follow these proven strategies to boost your local visibility and attract more customers.

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1. Optimise Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is the most important factor for ranking on Google Maps. A well-optimised profile increases your chances of appearing in local search results and Google’s Local Pack.

Steps to Optimise Your GMB Profile:

✔ Claim & Verify Your Listing: Go to Google My Business and claim your business. 

✔ Use Your Exact Business Name: Avoid adding extra keywords in your business name—it violates Google’s guidelines. 

✔ Choose the Right Business Categories: Select the primary category that best describes your business (e.g., "Plumber" instead of "Home Services"). 

✔ Add a Detailed Business Description: Use local keywords naturally and describe your services clearly. 

✔ Include Your Business Address & Service Areas: Make sure your address is consistent across all listings. 

✔ Upload High-Quality Photos: Businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks. 

✔ Keep Your Business Hours Updated: Google prioritises businesses that provide accurate and up-to-date information.

🔗 Need help setting up or optimising your Google My Business? Campaign Digital’s SEO Services can assist.

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2. Get More Positive Reviews & Ratings

Google prioritises businesses with high ratings and frequent reviews. The more 5-star reviews you have, the more likely you’ll rank higher in local search results.

How to Get More Google Reviews:

✅ Ask customers to leave a review right after a service is completed. ✅ Send a follow-up email or SMS with a direct review link. ✅ Offer an incentive (e.g., “Leave a review and get 10% off your next visit”). ✅ Respond to every review (both good and bad) to show you engage with customers.

💡 Pro Tip: Businesses with 50+ reviews rank significantly higher than those with fewer than 10.

🔗 Need help generating more reviews? Campaign Digital’s SEO Services can help.

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3. Use Local Keywords in Your Website & Content

Google ranks websites higher in local searches when they include relevant local keywords.

Best Local SEO Keywords to Use:

✔ "Plumber in Sydney"
✔ "Best Electrician near me"
✔ "Top-rated Café in Melbourne"
✔ "Affordable Roof Repairs in Brisbane"

Where to Add Local Keywords:

✔ Page Titles & Meta Descriptions (e.g., "Best Plumber in Sydney - Get a Free Quote Today!") 

✔ Service Pages (Create separate pages for each service area) 

✔ Blog Posts (e.g., "Top 5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Plumber in Melbourne") 

✔ Image Alt Text (Use descriptive local keywords in image tags)

🔗 Need expert keyword research? Campaign Digital’s SEO Services can help.

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4. Build Local Citations & Directory Listings

A local citation is any online mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). Google uses these citations to verify your business details and improve local rankings.

Best Local Directories for Small Businesses:

📌 Google My Business (Most important!)
📌 Yellow Pages (https://www.yellowpages.com.au/)
📌 TrueLocal (https://www.truelocal.com.au/)
📌 Yelp Australia (https://www.yelp.com.au/)
📌 Oneflare & Hipages (For tradies & service businesses)

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all listings.

🔗 Need help setting up citations? Campaign Digital’s SEO Services can boost your local visibility.

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5. Embed Google Maps on Your Website

Adding a Google Maps embed on your website helps Google connect your website to your Google My Business profile.

How to Embed Google Maps:

1. Search for your business on Google Maps.
2. Click "Share" and select "Embed a Map."
3. Copy the embed code and paste it into your website’s Contact or About page.

💡 Pro Tip: Place your business address in the website footer for extra SEO benefits.

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6. Post Regular Updates on Your Google My Business Profile

Google favours active businesses that engage with their customers.

What to Post on Google My Business:

✔ Special offers & promotions
✔ New products or services
✔ Customer testimonials
✔ Business updates (e.g., new opening hours)
✔ Photos & behind-the-scenes content

💡 Pro Tip: Businesses that post weekly updates on Google My Business see more engagement & higher rankings.

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7. Improve Your Website’s Mobile & Loading Speed

Most local searches happen on mobile devices. If your website is slow or hard to navigate, people will leave quickly, hurting your rankings.

How to Improve Mobile SEO:

✔ Use a mobile-friendly website design.
✔ Reduce image sizes for faster loading times.
✔ Enable click-to-call buttons so customers can call you instantly.
✔ Make sure your contact details are easy to find.

🔗 Need a faster, mobile-friendly website? Campaign Digital’s Website Development Services can help.

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Final Thoughts: Get Found & Get More Customers

By optimising your Google My Business profile, website, and local SEO strategy, you can rank higher on Google Maps & local search, bringing in more customers and sales.

Your Local SEO Checklist:

✅ Optimise Google My Business
✅ Get more customer reviews
✅ Use local keywords on your website
✅ List your business in directories
✅ Embed Google Maps on your site
✅ Post regular Google updates
✅ Make your website mobile-friendly

🚀 Want expert help ranking higher on Google Maps? Campaign Digital specialises in local SEO for small businesses—let’s get you more local customers today!