If a business wants more local customers, it needs to be visible where people are already searching. And these days, that place is Google Maps.

Think about it: when someone types “pizza near me,” “best plumber in Sydney,” or “coffee shop in Parramatta,” they’re not looking for random results from another city. They want something close, fast, and reliable. Google Maps SEO helps them find it — and if your business isn’t there, they’ll choose someone else.

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of making sure your business appears in local search results. Google Maps is a huge part of that, and with the right local SEO strategies, you can get your business noticed more often.

Let’s explore practical, easy-to-follow ways to make Maps work harder for your business and bring more customers through the door.

1. Think About What People Are Really Searching For

Many businesses focus only on obvious keywords like “plumber,” “bakery,” or “hair salon.” The problem? Everyone else is doing the same.

Instead, think about specific needs and situations your customers might be in:

• A restaurant could post about “Romantic dinner spots in Sydney” or “Family-friendly pizza near Central Park Mall.”
• A cleaning service could post about “End of lease cleaning in Parramatta” or “Spring cleaning services in Bondi.”
• A car repair shop could post “Fast brake repairs in Chatswood” or “Affordable car service near Crows Nest.”

When you match your posts and profile details to these specific searches, Google sees you as more relevant — and more relevant businesses rank higher. This is one of the advanced local SEO guides tactics that separates strong businesses from the rest.

2. Mention Local Places and Events

Google likes to see that your business is part of the local area. You can do this by:

• Mentioning landmarks in your posts (“Just 5 minutes from Town Hall Station” or “Opposite Westfield Bondi Junction”).
• Talking about local events your business is involved in (a café promoting a local art fair, a gym talking about a nearby charity run).
• Posting about seasonal changes (“Winter specials for North Sydney residents”).

This not only boosts your Google Business SEO but also makes your business feel familiar and connected to the community.

3. Keep an Eye on Competitors

Google Maps rankings are not permanent — they change based on activity, reviews, and competition. If a competitor suddenly gains more reviews or posts more often, they could overtake you.

Tools like geo-grids (used by MapRanks) help you:

• See where your business ranks in different suburbs or neighborhoods.
• Find areas where you’re strong and where you’re weak.
• Adjust your strategy to target those weaker spots.

For example, you might discover you rank #1 in your own suburb but only #7 in the next one — even though it’s just 2 km away. That’s an opportunity to focus posts, ads, and offers for that area. This type of local SEO tips approach keeps you ahead.

4. Use More Than One Category

When setting up your Google Business Profile, many owners choose just one category — and miss out on extra search traffic. Google allows a main category and additional categories.

Example:

• A car detailing shop could choose “Car Detailing” (main) and also “Car Wash” and “Auto Body Shop.”
• A bakery could select “Bakery” (main) plus “Café” and “Dessert Shop.”

Each category is another way people can find you. The key is to pick ones that truly match your services — never add unrelated categories just to get traffic. Many local SEO company experts recommend reviewing categories every few months.

5. Take Advantage of “Extra Text” in Search Results

Sometimes when you search in Maps, you’ll see extra lines under a business name like:

• “People say: great service.”
• “Offers free delivery.”
• “Known for fresh pastries.”

These are called justifications. They come from your:

• Reviews.
• Google Business posts.
• Website content.

By using these phrases naturally in your posts, service descriptions, and asking customers to mention them in reviews, you can make your listing stand out more and get more clicks — and ultimately appear in the Google local 3 pack more often.

6. Promote Events Through Maps

If your business is part of a local event, let people know through your Google Business Profile.

• Add a post with the event name, date, and location.
• Include photos or videos.
• Tag the location in the description.

Example: A florist participating in a weekend market can post “Find us this Saturday at the Bondi Beach Market – special flower bouquets from $15!” People searching for the market might also discover your business. Event posts are an affordable local search engine optimization method that still delivers results.

7. Make “Near Me” Searches Easy

When someone searches “near me,” they’re usually ready to take action. These are some of the most valuable searches you can appear in.

Make it easy for them to choose you:

• Ensure your website loads quickly on mobile devices.
• Add a click-to-call button so they can call without typing your number.
• Double-check that the call, website, and directions buttons in your Maps listing work correctly.

A smooth experience often means they’ll choose you over a competitor — which is why Google Maps SEO best practices focus so heavily on convenience.

8. Watch for Google’s Changes

Google updates its Maps ranking system often. In 2025, there’s been more focus on:

• Review quality – Google now values detailed, helpful reviews over just having a lot of short ones.
• Regular updates – Profiles that add posts, photos, and updates regularly are seen as more active and relevant.
• Accurate categories – Choosing the right business categories is more important than before.

If your profile stays inactive for months, you may slowly drop in rankings — even if nothing else changes. Following advanced local SEO guides ensures you adapt quickly to these updates.

9. Avoid Common Mistakes

Even small errors can hurt your Google Maps visibility. Avoid these:

• Duplicate listings – Having more than one profile for the same location confuses Google.
• Wrong pin location – If your map pin is off, customers might go to the wrong place.
• Old or bad photos – Outdated or poor-quality photos can make your business look closed or low-quality.
• Keyword stuffing – Adding extra keywords to your business name (like “Joe’s Café Best Coffee Sydney”) can lead to suspension.

10. Real-World Example – MapRanks in Action

A Sydney cleaning company worked with MapRanks to boost their Maps presence. Here’s what was done:

• Checked their geo-grid rankings across Sydney and found suburbs where they didn’t appear in the top 3.
• Created suburb-specific posts (“End of Lease Cleaning in Parramatta,” “Spring Cleaning in Bondi”).
• Updated categories to match all their services.
• Added high-quality before-and-after cleaning photos.

Within three months, they were ranking in the top 3 for seven more suburbs — and getting more calls from those areas. This is a classic example of how local SEO strategies and the right tools can drive results.

Final Words

Google Maps isn’t just for directions — it’s a powerful marketing tool. Businesses that know how to optimise their presence can get more calls, visits, and sales from local customers.

To stand out, don’t stop at the basics. Talk about local places and events, use the right categories, keep your profile fresh, and track your competition. Small, regular updates can keep you ahead in the rankings.

With the right tools — like those used by MapRanks — affordable local search engine optimization becomes a real possibility, helping turn casual searches into loyal customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can using more categories hurt rankings?

No, as long as they are relevant to your business. Unrelated categories can confuse customers and Google.

2. What’s the fastest way to improve a Maps ranking? 

Get fresh, detailed reviews and keep your profile active with posts and photos.

3. Do Google Maps ads work?

Yes, they give quick visibility, but for long-term results you should also focus on organic (free) optimisation.

4. How often should I update my Google Business Profile?

At least once a week with posts and every 1–2 weeks with new photos.

5.  What’s a geo-grid and why is it important?

It’s a tool that shows your ranking in different spots around your city. It helps you find weak areas to target with your SEO.

Map Ranks

Map Ranks is a local SEO agency that helps businesses get found fast on Google Maps and local pack. Our team specializes in Google Maps Marketing, SEO, and optimization strategies designed to boost your visibility, attract nearby customers, and grow your local presence. We make sure your local business stands out right where it matters; on the map and in front of the people searching for you.