Relevance
Primary category, services, and a website page for each core service that matches how people search. This is often where the fastest gains are.
Google Maps SEO
Google Maps SEO is the work of improving where your business appears in Google Maps and the three-business local pack. Google ranks these results on relevance, distance and prominence. I work on the signals you control so you show up for more searches across more of your service area.
How Google decides who shows in the map pack
Google states that local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well your profile and website match the search. Distance is how far you are from the searcher or the place in the search. Prominence is how well known and trusted your business is, from reviews, links and mentions across the web.
Because distance depends on the searcher, the same business can rank first on one street and tenth two kilometres away. Google Maps SEO widens the area where you are competitive by strengthening relevance and prominence.
What's included
- Map pack rank tracking on a grid across your service area
- Competitor review of the businesses outranking you
- Google Business Profile fixes for relevance
- Service-area and location pages that support the profile
- Local link and mention opportunities
- Review growth plan with realistic monthly targets
- Monthly report on visibility, calls and direction requests
The levers that move map rankings
Prominence
Review count and recency, links from local sites, mentions in local news, directories and associations. These build slowly and are hard for competitors to copy.
Consistency
The same name, address and phone across your profile, website and listings. Conflicting data weakens Google's confidence in your details.
Behaviour
Clicks, calls and direction requests show your listing is useful. A complete profile with good photos and replies earns more of them.
How it works
Each step has a realistic timing. Larger sites and competitive markets take longer.
-
1
Baseline grid
Rankings measured across your area for your main services.
Week 1 -
2
Gap analysis
What the top three businesses have that you do not.
Week 1 to 2 -
3
Relevance fixes
Profile, service pages and listing consistency.
Month 1 -
4
Prominence building
Reviews, local links and mentions.
Months 2 onward -
5
Track and adjust
Grid re-measured monthly and the plan updated.
Every month
Signs you need this
- You rank well at your address but disappear a short drive away
- Your phone rings less than competitors with similar services
- New businesses near you are overtaking you
- You do not know where you rank outside your own neighbourhood
- Your reviews have stalled while competitors keep growing
What affects the cost
Map pack work is usually ongoing because prominence builds over months. The scope depends on:
- How competitive your service is in your city
- Size of the service area you want to cover
- Current review count compared with the top three
- Whether your website needs new service or area pages
- Number of locations
You get a fixed quote after a short call. No surprise extras.
Not sure which service you need? Start with a free call and I'll tell you what I'd fix first.
Map pack vs. organic results
| Map pack | Organic results | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it shows | Map with three businesses | Website links below the map |
| Main driver | Google Business Profile, reviews, distance | Website pages, links, technical health |
| Effect of distance | Strong | Weaker |
| Best for | Calls and direction requests | Research and comparison visits |
Why work with me
I'm an independent consultant, so the standards below are mine, in writing, for every client.
- You talk to me directlyThe person planning your SEO is the person you message. No account managers.
- Month one in writingYou see exactly what happens first, and why, before ongoing work starts.
- Plain-language reportsWhat changed, what it means for leads and what's next, every month.
- Your accounts stay yoursGoogle Business Profile, Analytics, Search Console and content stay in your name.
- No ranking guaranteesNobody controls Google. I commit to the work and honest reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Distance from the searcher is one of Google's three local ranking factors, so results change as the searcher moves. A grid tracker checks your position at many points across your area and shows where you are strong and where you drop off.
There is no fixed number. Compare yourself with the three businesses already ranking for your main search in your area. Aim to close the gap steadily with real reviews from real customers, since a sudden burst can look unnatural.
It is difficult, because Google ranks businesses closest to the searcher first. You can still win organic results there with a strong service-area page. Opening a real, staffed location is the only reliable way to compete in that city's map pack.
Yes. The website linked from your profile helps Google judge relevance, and its strength contributes to prominence. A page that clearly covers your main service and area usually helps the profile rank for that service.
Related services
Google Business Profile optimization
Set up and maintain the listing that decides your Maps visibility.
See full details
Local citation building and NAP cleanup
Consistent business details on the directories that matter.
See full details
On-page SEO services
Titles, headings, content and links that match what people search.
See full details