Local Business Marketing: How To Get More Customers Using Google Maps

Think about the last time you needed to find a restaurant, a plumber, or a place to get your car serviced. Chances are, you pulled out your phone, typed a few words into Google, and looked at the map that popped up with nearby options. You glanced at the ratings, maybe read a review or two, and made your choice within minutes.

That's exactly how your potential customers are finding businesses like yours, or not finding you, if your Google Maps presence isn't working in your favor.

The good news is that showing up on Google Maps is not some mysterious art reserved for big companies with big budgets. It's surprisingly accessible, and with some focused effort, you can put your business in front of more local customers who are actively looking for what you offer. This guide walks you through how to make that happen.

Why Google Maps Matters for Local Businesses

Consumer behavior has fundamentally shifted. When people need something nearby, they don't flip through the phone book or drive around hoping to spot a sign. They search online, and Google dominates that search. When someone types in "coffee shop near me" or "emergency dentist open now," Google doesn't just give them a list of links, it shows them a map with businesses pinned right on it, complete with ratings, hours, photos, and directions.

These "near me" searches have exploded in recent years, and they carry powerful intent. Someone searching for "best tacos near me" is not casually browsing, they're hungry and ready to spend money. If your business shows up in that moment, you have a real chance of earning their visit. If you don't show up, that opportunity goes to a competitor who does.

Google Maps results also carry built-in credibility. When your business appears with a solid star rating, a complete profile, and recent reviews, it signals to potential customers that you're established and trustworthy. That first impression happens before they ever walk through your door or pick up the phone to call.

Setting Up Your Google Business Profile

Your presence on Google Maps is powered by something called a Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business). This is your free business listing that tells Google, and your potential customers, who you are, where you're located, and what you offer.

If you haven't claimed your profile yet, start there. Search for your business on Google, and if a listing already exists, you'll see an option to claim it and verify that you're the owner. If no listing exists, you can create one from scratch by visiting the Google Business Profile site and following the prompts. Verification usually happens through a postcard mailed to your business address, though phone or email verification is sometimes available.

Once you're verified, you'll have control over your listing and can start shaping how your business appears in search results and on Maps.

One detail that's easy to overlook but matters quite a bit is your business category. Google asks you to choose a primary category that describes what your business is, and you can add secondary categories as well. Be as specific and accurate as possible. If you run a bakery that specializes in custom cakes, "Custom Cake Shop" is more helpful than just "Bakery." The right categories help Google understand when to show your business to searchers.

Optimizing Your Profile to Stand Out

Claiming your profile is just the starting point. A bare-bones listing won't do much for you. The businesses that attract clicks and customers are the ones with complete, polished profiles.

Start with your business description. You have 750 characters to tell potential customers who you are and what makes you worth choosing. Write in a natural, welcoming tone, think about what you'd say to someone who walked in and asked what you're all about. Focus on what you do, who you serve, and what sets you apart. Avoid keyword stuffing or marketing jargon; just be clear and genuine.

Make sure all your basic information is complete and accurate. This means your address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. If your hours change seasonally or for holidays, keep them updated. Nothing frustrates a potential customer more than showing up to find you closed when Google said you'd be open.

Photos matter more than many business owners realize. Listings with quality images get significantly more engagement than those without. Upload photos of your storefront, your interior, your products, your team at work, anything that gives people a feel for what it's like to visit or do business with you. If you can add a short video, even better. These visuals help customers picture themselves choosing you.

Finally, explore the attributes and features Google offers for your type of business. Depending on your category, you might be able to indicate that you offer free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, wheelchair accessibility, or curbside pickup. These details help customers filter their options and can make your listing more appealing to the right people.

The Power of Reviews (And How to Get More)

If there's one factor that influences both your Maps ranking and your customers' decisions, it's reviews. Businesses with more positive reviews tend to show up higher in local search results, and a strong star rating can be the deciding factor when someone is choosing between you and a competitor down the street.

The key is building a steady stream of genuine reviews from real customers. Don't be shy about asking; most happy customers are willing to leave a review if you make it easy for them. After a successful transaction or positive interaction, simply say something like, "We'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google. It helps other people find us." You can also include a link to your review page in follow-up emails, on receipts, or on a small card you hand out.

What you should never do is offer incentives for reviews, buy fake reviews, or try to game the system. Google is smart about detecting manipulation, and getting caught can result in penalties to your listing. More importantly, fake reviews erode trust, both with Google and with customers who can often spot inauthenticity.

When reviews come in, respond to them. Thank customers who leave positive feedback; it shows you're paying attention and that you value their support. When you receive a negative review, respond professionally and constructively. Acknowledge the concern, apologize if appropriate, and offer to make things right. How you handle criticism tells future customers a lot about what kind of business you run.

Local SEO Basics That Support Your Maps Presence

Your Google Business Profile doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a larger ecosystem, and a few basic local SEO practices can strengthen your overall visibility.

The most important principle is consistency. Your business name, address, and phone number, often called NAP, should appear exactly the same way everywhere online. That means your Google profile, your website, your Facebook page, Yelp, industry directories, and anywhere else your business is listed. Even small discrepancies (like "Street" versus "St." or different phone formats) can create confusion for search engines and potentially dilute your local rankings.

Speaking of other directories, these citations matter too. Getting your business listed accurately on platforms like Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, industry-specific directories, and local chamber of commerce sites reinforces your legitimacy and helps Google trust that your business information is accurate.

If you have a business website, make sure it clearly displays your contact information, ideally in a consistent footer on every page, and consider creating dedicated pages for each location if you have more than one. Embedding a Google Map on your contact page and linking to your Google Business Profile can help reinforce the connection between your website and your Maps presence.

When to DIY and When to Call a Pro

The fundamentals of Google Maps marketing are absolutely within reach for most small business owners. Claiming and completing your profile, uploading photos, responding to reviews, posting updates, these are all things you can do yourself with a modest time investment. If you're willing to learn the basics and stay consistent, you can make meaningful progress without spending a dime on outside help.

That said, there are situations where bringing in a professional makes sense.

If you've been working on your profile for several months and you're not seeing any improvement in visibility or customer inquiries, a local SEO specialist can audit your presence and identify issues you might be missing.

If you're in a highly competitive market; say, you're a real estate agent in a major city or a restaurant in a saturated dining district, expert help can give you an edge. And if you simply don't have the time to manage your online presence consistently, outsourcing to someone who can keep things running smoothly may be a worthwhile investment.

When you decide to hire help, look for someone with specific experience in local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization. Ask for case studies or references from other local businesses they've worked with. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees specific rankings (no one can promise that) or uses tactics that sound shady or too good to be true. A good professional will be transparent about what they're doing and realistic about what results you can expect.

Your Next Customer Is Searching Right Now

Somewhere in your area, right this moment, someone is pulling out their phone and searching for exactly what you offer. The question is whether they'll find you or one of your competitors.

MoreWorks Digital
City: Bayonne
Address: 104 W 16th St
Website: https://moreworksdigital.clientcabin.com