Google Maps SEO: Get More Customers in 2026 (Free Guide)
How to Get Your Business to Show Up on Google Maps (It's Easier Than You Think!)
Imagine this: Someone in your town searches "(Your business service) near me" on their phone. Will they find YOUR business, or will they find your competitor down the street?
If you're not showing up on Google Maps, you're missing out on tons of customers. But here's the good news. Getting on Google Maps is FREE and pretty easy to do.
Before we dive into all the details, I want to show you the NUMBER ONE thing you need to do to start showing up on Google Maps. Watch this quick video first:
Now that you've seen the most important step, let's break down everything else you need to know.
How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is like a free mini-website that Google gives you. When people search for businesses like yours, this profile is what they see.
Step 1: Claim Your Business (This Is Super Important)
First, you need to tell Google "Hey, this is MY business!"
Go to Google and search for "Google Business Profile." Click the link and follow the steps. Google will mail you a postcard with a special code to make sure your business is real. Once you get it, type in the code, and boom. You're verified!
Step 2: Make Sure Your Info Matches Everywhere
This might sound boring, but it's REALLY important.
Your business name, address, and phone number need to be exactly the same on:
Your website
Your Google Business Profile
Yelp
Facebook
Everywhere else online
Why? Because Google checks to make sure everything matches. If it doesn't match, Google gets confused and won't show your business to people searching.
Example: If your address on your website says "123 Main Street" but your Google profile says "123 Main St." that's a problem. Pick one way to write it and use that everywhere.
Step 3: Write a Great Description
Tell people what you do and where you do it. Use simple, clear words.
Instead of writing this: "Best pizza Phoenix pizza restaurant Phoenix best Phoenix pizza"
Write this: "We're a family pizza restaurant in Phoenix. We make fresh pizza every day and deliver to your home!"
See the difference? The second one sounds like a real person wrote it.
Step 4: Add Lots of Photos
People LOVE looking at pictures. Businesses with photos get way more customers than businesses without them.
Take photos of:
The outside of your building
The inside of your store
Your products or work
Your happy team
Customers who said it's okay to take their picture
Take new photos every few weeks. Google likes to see that you're keeping things fresh and updated.
How to Get More Customers to Choose You
Now that your profile looks good, let's make people trust you.
Get More Google Reviews (The Nice Way)
Reviews are huge. When people see lots of good reviews, they trust you more.
How to ask for reviews without being annoying:
Send a text to happy customers with a link that goes straight to your review page
Put a QR code on your receipts that people can scan
Send a friendly email: "Hi! We hope you loved our service. Would you mind leaving us a quick review?"
Answer Every Single Review
Yes, even the bad ones. Here's why:
It shows you care about customers
Other people will see that you respond
Example: "Thanks so much, Sarah! We're so glad you loved your new haircut. We can't wait to see you again at our Phoenix salon!"
Get Listed on Other Websites
The more places your business is listed online, the more Google trusts you.
Start with these websites:
Yelp
Yellow Pages (yes, it's still around!)
Facebook Business Page
Websites that are specific to your type of business
Remember: Your name, address, and phone number need to match on ALL of them.
Pro Tip: There are about 300+ listing sites all over the internet. if you want to fast track this and have a software that can do it all for you while also helping you consistantly update it, check out https://www.yext.com/
Super Pro Tip: If you want it cheaper then Yext Pricing hit us up here
Use Google Posts
Did you know you can post updates right on your Google Business Profile? It's like a mini Facebook page!
Post about:
Sales and special deals
New products or services
Events you're having
Helpful tips
Do this once a week to keep your profile active.
Secret Trick: You can also add questions and answers to your profile. Ask questions that customers usually ask, then answer them yourself! Like "Do you deliver?" Answer: "Yes! We deliver within 10 miles of our Phoenix location."
Make Your Website Work Better Too
Your website and your Google profile need to work together.
Use Location Words on Your Website
Put your city or neighborhood name in your website. Google will know where you are and show you to people nearby.
Good places to add location words:
Your homepage title
Page headings
Your "About Us" page
Blog posts
Example: Instead of "Best Pizza Restaurant," write "Best Pizza Restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona"
Add a Google Map to Your Website
This is super easy:
Go to Google Maps
Search for your business
Click "Share"
Copy the code
Paste it on your Contact page
Now people can see exactly where you are!
Make Sure Your Website Works on Phones
Most people search for businesses on their phones, not computers.
Check your website on your phone right now:
Does it load fast?
Can you read everything easily?
Can you tap the phone number to call?
If not, you need to fix it. A slow or broken website means people will go to your competitor instead.
Your To-Do List (Start Today!)
Here's what matters most:
Great Google Profile + Same Info Everywhere + Lots of Reviews = More Customers
Do these 5 things today:
Claim your Google Business Profile
Make sure your business info matches everywhere online
Add at least 5 good photos
Ask 3 happy customers for reviews
Write one post on your Google Business Profile
You don't have to do everything at once. Just start small and keep going. You'll see more customers in about 30 to 60 days.
Ready to get more customers from Google Maps? Tell us in the comments which tip you're going to try first. We're here to help! 🚀
P.S. — Know another business owner who needs this? Share it with them. They'll be really thankful!
P.S.S Check out our last Blog:
Top 10 Home Service Marketing Trends You Don’t Want to Miss in 2026
