If you run a local business and you're not showing up on Google Maps, you're invisible to the people who are actively searching for what you offer right now. This guide walks you through exactly how to get listed — and how to make sure your listing actually brings in customers.
Why Google Maps Matters for Local Businesses
When someone searches for a service near them — "plumber Cardiff", "web designer Merthyr Tydfil", "roofer near me" — Google shows a map and a list of three local businesses before any of the regular website results. This is called the Local Pack, and it gets a huge portion of the clicks.
If your business isn't there, you're handing those customers to your competitors. Getting onto Google Maps and optimising your presence is one of the highest-ROI things a small business can do in 2026.
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Business Profile
Google Maps listings are managed through Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). It's free.
Go to Google Business Profile Help and sign in with your Google account. Click "Add your business" and enter your business name. If your business already appears in a dropdown, select it — someone may have created an unverified listing for you.
Fill in:
- Business name — use your real trading name, not keyword-stuffed
- Category — choose your primary business category carefully, this affects which searches you appear in
- Location — if you have a physical address where customers visit you, enter it; if you're service-area based (e.g. a plumber or builder), you can set a service area instead
- Phone number and website — both are important for visibility and trust
- Business hours — include accurate opening times; Google flags businesses with inconsistent information
Step 2: Verify Your Listing
Until your listing is verified, it won't appear in search results. Google needs to confirm you're a legitimate business at the address you've provided.
For most businesses, verification is done by postcard — Google sends a card with a code to your business address, which you then enter in your Google Business Profile dashboard. This usually takes 5–14 days.
Some businesses can verify by phone, email, or video call. Once verified, your listing goes live and starts appearing in local searches.
Step 3: Complete Every Section of Your Profile
A fully completed profile outranks a half-finished one. After verifying, go back through your profile and fill in everything:
Description: Write 2–3 sentences describing what you do, who you serve, and where. Use natural language and include your location and main service. Avoid keyword stuffing.
Services: Add each service you offer as a separate line item. This helps Google understand what searches to show your listing for.
Photos: Upload at least 5–10 photos — your premises, your team, examples of your work, your logo. Businesses with photos get significantly more clicks and direction requests than those without.
Attributes: Google allows you to add attributes like "free consultations," "women-led," "online appointments available." Fill in every relevant attribute.
Step 4: Collect Reviews Consistently
Reviews are one of the most important ranking factors for Google Maps. Businesses with more high-quality reviews rank above those with fewer — all else being equal.
Ask every satisfied customer to leave a review. Make it easy: share your direct review link (you'll find it in your Google Business Profile dashboard under "Get more reviews"). Send it by text or email right after completing a job.
Respond to every review — positive and negative. Google rewards engagement, and potential customers read your responses as closely as the reviews themselves.
See our guide on how to get more Google reviews for your business for a more detailed breakdown.
Step 5: Keep Your Listing Active
Google favours active, regularly updated listings over those that are set up and forgotten. A few habits that make a real difference:
- Post updates — Google Business Profile has a posts feature, similar to social media. Share news, offers, or completed projects at least once a month.
- Add new photos regularly — even a couple of job photos each month signals to Google that your business is active.
- Keep your hours accurate — update them for bank holidays and seasonal changes. Incorrect hours damage trust and can hurt your ranking.
- Answer questions — if customers ask questions on your listing, respond promptly.
Pair Your Google Maps Listing With a Strong Website
Your Google Business Profile can generate enquiries on its own, but its full potential is unlocked when it's paired with a proper website. Google cross-references your listing with your website — consistent information across both builds trust and improves your ranking.
A website also gives you somewhere to send people when they click through from your listing. A professional, fast-loading site with clear service information and an easy way to get in touch converts far more visitors into paying customers than a listing alone.
If you don't yet have a website, our Managed Starter Websites service gets you set up from £50/month — with domain, hosting, and everything managed for you.
What Happens After You're Listed?
Getting listed on Google Maps is the first step. Ranking in the top three results — the Local Pack — requires ongoing local SEO work: consistent citations, regular review generation, on-page website optimisation, and content that signals to Google where you are and what you do.
If you'd like help getting your business visible in local search results, get in touch with NC Digital. We help small businesses across South Wales get found by the customers who are already looking for them.