How Can a Business Rank
Better on Google My Business?
A practical guide for businesses of all kinds!
Introduction
When people search for a local service or product, Google often shows results before websites — in the form of maps and local business listings. This is where Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) becomes one of the most powerful tools for small businesses.
Ranking well on Google Business Profile can drive:
Phone calls
Website visits
Walk-in traffic
Local trust and credibility
The good news? Ranking better is not about spending more money — it’s about optimisation, consistency, and activity.
1. Understand How Google Business Profile Ranking Works
Google ranks local businesses based on three core factors:
1. Relevance
How closely your business matches what someone is searching for.
2. Distance
How close your business is to the searcher’s location.
3. Prominence
How well-known and trusted your business appears online.
You cannot control distance — but you can strongly influence relevance and prominence.
2. Fully Optimise Your Google Business Profile
A complete profile ranks better than an incomplete one.
Key optimisation areas:
Business name
Use your real business name (no keyword stuffing).Primary category
Choose the most accurate category (this is critical).Secondary categories
Add only relevant services — do not overdo it.Business description
Clearly explain:What you do
Who you serve
Where you operate
Include natural keywords, not spam.
Services & products
Add all services individually with descriptions.
A fully filled-out profile sends strong trust signals to Google.
3. Get More (and Better) Google Reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest ranking factors.
Best practices:
Ask customers after a successful job
Share your direct review link
Respond to every review (positive and negative)
Use professional, polite responses
Reviews help with:
Higher map rankings
Better click-through rates
Customer trust
Quantity matters — but quality and consistency matter more.
4. Keep Your Profile Active (This Is Often Missed)
Google rewards active profiles.
Regular actions that improve ranking:
Posting updates (offers, tips, news)
Adding photos weekly
Updating services
Answering questions
Responding to reviews
Think of Google Business Profile like social media — inactivity hurts visibility.
5. Add High-Quality Photos (Consistently)
Businesses with regular photo uploads get:
More views
More clicks
More calls
Upload:
Exterior photos (easy to recognise)
Interior photos
Team photos
Work-in-progress photos
Before-and-after photos
Photos build trust, relevance, and engagement.
6. Use Local Keywords Strategically
Use local keywords naturally in:
Business description
Services
Google posts
Review responses
Example:
“Plumbing services in Mbombela and surrounding areas.”
Avoid keyword stuffing — Google penalises unnatural usage.
7. Ensure NAP Consistency Across the Internet
NAP = Name, Address, Phone number
Your details must be identical everywhere:
Website
Social media pages
Online directories
Invoices and email signatures
Inconsistent information confuses Google and weakens rankings.
8. Connect Your Website Properly
Your Google Business Profile should link to a well-optimised local website.
Your website should:
Load fast
Be mobile-friendly
Include location pages
Have matching business details
Contain local SEO keywords
Google uses your website to verify credibility and relevance.
9. Use Google Business Profile Posts
Posts help keep your profile fresh and engaging.
Post about:
New services
Promotions
Educational tips
Completed projects
Seasonal updates
Posts don’t last forever — but consistent posting sends strong activity signals.
10. Track Insights and Improve
Google provides performance insights such as:
Searches
Calls
Direction requests
Website visits
Use this data to:
Identify popular services
Improve weak areas
Adjust messaging
Improve conversion paths
Ranking better is an ongoing process — not a once-off task.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving the profile incomplete
Keyword stuffing the business name
Ignoring reviews
No recent photos or posts
Incorrect categories
Inconsistent contact details
These mistakes quietly damage rankings over time.
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Conclusion
Ranking better on Google Business Profile is about trust, relevance, and consistency — not tricks or shortcuts.
For small businesses, it is one of the highest-return marketing assets available, especially for local services. A well-optimised and actively managed profile can outperform paid advertising when done correctly.
If customers can find you easily, trust you quickly, and contact you effortlessly — Google will reward your business with visibility.
