How to rank your business on Google Maps

As a tradesperson in the UK, you know that word-of-mouth referrals are golden. But in today's digital age, there's another powerful way to get noticed: Google Maps. At BUILT, we've helped countless tradespeople like you boost their visibility and attract more local customers. In this guide, we'll show you how to climb the rankings on Google Maps and get your business in front of the right people at the right time.

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Benefits of Google Maps for Tradesmen

Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about why Google Maps is so crucial for your business:

1. Local visibility: When someone searches for "electrician near me" or "plumber in [your city]," Google Maps results often appear at the top of the search results.
2. Mobile-friendly: With more people using their smartphones to find local services, Google Maps is often the go-to app for quick searches.
3. Trust factor: A well-optimised Google Maps listing with positive reviews can instantly boost your credibility.
4. Free advertising: Unlike paid ads, appearing in Google Maps results doesn't cost you any money (unless you opt for paid promotions).

Now that we've established why it's important let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to rank higher on Google Maps.

How Tradespeople Can Dominate Google Maps: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is the foundation of your Google Maps presence. Here's how to make it shine:

• Claim your listing if you haven't already
• Use your exact business name (don't try to crowbar keywords into your company name!)
• Choose the most accurate primary category (e.g., "Plumber" or "Electrician")
• Add relevant secondary categories (e.g., "Gas engineer" )
• Include your complete address and service area
• Add your phone number and website URL
• Set accurate business hours, including special hours for holidays

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Pro tip: At BUILT, we can help you set up and optimise your Google Business Profile as part of our SEO services. We'll make sure every detail is perfect to boost your local visibility.

2. Keep Your NAP Consistent

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Think of your NAP as your business's digital fingerprint - it must be identical everywhere it appears online. This includes your website, social media profiles, trade directories, and review platforms.

Create a master document with your exact business information. Use this as a reference when updating any online presence. Pay attention to small details - even minor differences like "Street" versus "St." can impact your local search performance. For businesses with multiple locations, maintain separate NAP information for each location while keeping the business name consistent.

Monitor your NAP regularly using local citation tools. Search for and correct any outdated or incorrect listings. Remember that old business directories or websites might still display previous addresses or phone numbers. Actively reach out to have these updated or removed.

Make sure your NAP is identical across all online platforms, including:

• Your website
• Google Business Profile
• Social media accounts
• Online directories

Why is this important? Google cross-references this information to verify your business's legitimacy. Inconsistencies can hurt your ranking.

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3. Encourage and Respond to Reviews

When responding to reviews, personalise each response and include relevant details about the service provided. For positive reviews, thank customers specifically for choosing your service and mention the area served or type of work completed. For negative reviews, respond professionally, address concerns directly, and offer solutions. This shows potential customers that you take feedback seriously and are committed to service excellence.

Here's how to make the most of them:

• Ask satisfied customers to leave a review (but never offer incentives – that's against Google's rules)
• Respond to all reviews, positive and negative, in a professional manner
• Use keywords naturally in your responses (e.g., "Thank you for choosing our plumbing services in Manchester")

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4. Optimise Your Website for Local SEO

Your website must align with and support your Google Maps presence. Create location-specific service pages for each area you cover. For example, if you're a plumber serving Manchester and surrounding areas, create dedicated pages for "Plumbing Services in Manchester," "Emergency Plumber in Salford," and so on.

Implement local business schema markup to help search engines understand your business information. Include your complete NAP in Schema format on every page. Ensure your website loads quickly on mobile devices, as Google considers mobile responsiveness in local rankings.

Create location-relevant content that addresses common local issues. For instance, if you're an electrician in an area with period properties, write about electrical safety in older homes. Include local landmarks and area-specific information to demonstrate local expertise.

At BUILT, we specialise in creating SEO-optimised websites for tradespeople. We can handle all these technical aspects for you, ensuring your site is primed for local search success.

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5. Build Local Citations

Citations validate your business information and build local authority. Start with major UK trade directories like MyBuilder, Checkatrade, and Rated People. Expand to local business directories, ensuring each listing is complete and accurate.

Create a spreadsheet to track all citation sources, login credentials, and last update dates. Regular audit these citations to ensure information remains current and matches your Google Business Profile.

Remember to keep your NAP consistent across all citations and include unique descriptions where possible.

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6. Use Google Posts

Google Posts are a free feature that allows you to share updates, offers, and events directly on your Google Business Profile. Here are some ideas for tradespeople:

• Showcase recent projects with before-and-after photos
• Announce seasonal promotions (e.g., boiler service discounts in the summer)
• Share helpful tips related to your trade
• Highlight any awards or certifications you've received

Track which types of posts generate the most engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly. Consider creating a content calendar to maintain regular posting schedules.

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7. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visual content builds trust and improves engagement. Showcase your work through professional-quality photos of completed projects. Include images of your branded van, uniformed team members, and your workshop or premises if applicable.

Create short video content demonstrating common repairs or maintenance tips. Show before and after transformations of significant projects. Include photos of any specialised equipment or techniques that set you apart from competitors.

Upload new photos regularly and ensure they're properly tagged with relevant descriptions. Remove any outdated or poor-quality images that don't represent your current service standards.

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8. Optimise for "Near Me" Searches

"Near me" searches are incredibly popular for finding local services. To optimise for these:

• Include phrases like "serving [your area]" or "local [your trade] in [your city]" in your business description
• Create content on your website that targets "near me" searches (e.g., "Finding a Reliable Plumber Near Me in Leeds")
• Ensure your Google Business Profile is fully optimised with your correct location and service area

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9. Leverage Local Link Building

Build authority through local partnerships and community involvement. Partner with complementary trades - for example, electricians can partner with kitchen fitters or property developers. Contribute expert articles to local home improvement blogs or property websites.

Sponsor local events or sports teams to earn authentic local backlinks. Join trade associations and ensure they link to your website. Participate in community projects and earn mentions from local news outlets and community websites.

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10. Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

Implement a regular monitoring system for your Maps performance. Track your ranking for key search terms in different service areas. Monitor competitor activities and identify opportunities for improvement.

Use Google Business Profile insights to understand how customers find and interact with your listing. Track which photos generate the most views and which posts drive the most engagement. Regular review and update your business information, services, and service areas.

Keep a log of all changes and their impact on your visibility and customer engagement. Use this data to refine your strategy and focus on activities that deliver the best results for your trade business.

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Bringing It All Together

Ranking higher on Google Maps isn't just about ticking boxes – it's about creating a comprehensive online presence that showcases your expertise and reliability as a tradesperson. By following these steps and consistently providing great service, you'll be well on your way to dominating local search results.

Remember, this process takes time and effort. If you're feeling overwhelmed or simply want to focus on what you do best – your trade – we're here to help. At BUILT, we specialise in helping tradespeople like you build a strong online presence. From creating stunning, SEO-optimised websites to managing your Google Business Profile and implementing local SEO strategies, we've got you covered.

Ready to take your online presence to the next level and attract more local customers? Get in touch with us today, and let's build something great together!