If you’re not showing up in the Local Pack—those top three Google Maps results—you’re leaving money on the table.
Whether you’re a contractor, plumber, or remodeler, ranking higher on Google Maps means more visibility, more phone calls, and more jobs. But how do you actually get there?
This guide breaks down the exact steps that help your business rise in Google Maps rankings, based on what works today—not outdated tricks or spammy tactics.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or want help optimizing your profile, our Local SEO services can take the heavy lifting off your plate.
Let’s dive in.
Why Google Maps Rankings Matter for Contractors
When someone searches “roof repair near me” or “plumber in [your city],” they’re shown a map with three businesses at the top—this is the Local Pack.
If your business isn’t in that top 3, your chances of getting chosen drop fast.
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44% of local searchers click on a result in the Local Pack
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Businesses outside the top three often don’t even get seen
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Most homeowners trust these listings and call directly
This isn’t just about vanity rankings—ranking higher on Google Maps means more local leads, more quotes, and more booked jobs.
How the Local Pack Algorithm Works
Google uses three core factors to determine map rankings:
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Proximity: How close your business is to the person searching
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Relevance: How well your profile matches what the person searched
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Prominence: How well-known and trusted your business is online
While you can’t control proximity, you can control how relevant and prominent your business appears—especially by optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP).
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
This is the single most important step. You need a fully completed, accurate, and active Google Business Profile to rank well.
Here’s what to focus on:
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Choose the correct primary category (e.g., “Roofing Contractor” not just “Contractor”)
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Add secondary categories for each service you offer
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Set up accurate service areas if you don’t have a physical office
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Write a keyword-rich business description that clearly explains your services
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Upload high-quality photos regularly, showing real jobs and team members
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Add products and services with short descriptions
Google rewards detailed profiles. Treat this like your second homepage.
2. Get More (and Better) Reviews
Your reviews directly impact how high you rank in the map results. But it’s not just about the star rating—Google also looks at:
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How many reviews you have
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How recent your reviews are
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Whether you reply to them
Tips to boost your reviews:
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Ask happy customers right after a job wraps up
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Send a direct link to your review page via text or email
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Respond to every review—good or bad
The more 5-star reviews you earn, the more trust and visibility you’ll gain.
3. Use Local Keywords in Your Google Posts
Just like blog posts on your site, Google Posts let you share updates right on your profile.
Use them to:
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Highlight recent jobs (“Kitchen remodel completed in Fairport, NY”)
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Announce seasonal promotions or limited-time offers
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Include relevant local keywords in each post
This helps with local relevance and shows Google your profile is active.
4. Build Local Citations and NAP Consistency
Citations are mentions of your business across online directories (like Yelp, BBB, and Angi). Each one helps reinforce your local presence.
But they only work if your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is:
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Accurate
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Consistent across every site
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Formatted the same way every time
If your business is listed differently in different places, it can confuse search engines—and hurt your map rankings.
5. Create Local Service Area Pages on Your Website
If you serve multiple towns or counties, your website should reflect that. Create location-specific pages that target keywords like:
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“Deck repair Pittsford NY”
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“Crawl space mold removal in Webster NY”
Make sure your GBP links to the most relevant page—not just the homepage. The more helpful and geographically targeted your website is, the more credible it looks to Google.
6. Earn Local Backlinks
Backlinks—links from other sites to your site—boost your online prominence. For Google Maps SEO, local links matter most.
Here’s how to earn them:
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Sponsor community events (get a link on their site)
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Join your local Chamber of Commerce
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Get featured in local news or blogs
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Trade referrals and links with related businesses
Think local. Every link is like a vote of confidence.
7. Stay Active on Your Profile
Google favors fresh content and engagement. An inactive profile can quietly sink in rankings over time.
To stay active:
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Post updates weekly
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Add new job photos
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Answer FAQs from customers
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Respond to all messages and reviews
This shows Google—and potential customers—that your business is alive and well.
8. Track Performance and Adjust Often
What gets measured gets improved.
Inside your Google Business Profile, use the Insights section to track:
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How many calls and direction requests you’re getting
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What keywords people are using to find you
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How your listing compares to competitors
For deeper tracking, tools like BrightLocal or Semrush can monitor map rankings across service areas.
Don’t just set it and forget it. Local SEO is an ongoing process.
Final Thoughts
If you want to rank higher on Google Maps, you need more than luck. You need strategy, consistency, and a profile that sends all the right signals to Google.
Start with your Google Business Profile. Build trust through reviews. Optimize your website and get local backlinks. Then keep it all active.
Want a local SEO expert to do all this for you? Let’s talk. Our Local SEO services can help you dominate your local market and get into that Local Pack where the calls start rolling in.
Need to reach out directly? Visit our Contact Page to get started.