For local searches ("web designer Basingstoke", "plumber near me"), Google often shows the map pack before any websites. Your Google Business Profile decides whether you appear there.
Get the fundamentals right
- Business name: your real trading name, with no keywords stuffed in.
- Primary category: the single most accurate description of what you do. This matters more than most people realise.
- Service area or address: make sure it's accurate and matches your website.
- Phone number and website: consistent with what's on your site.
- Opening hours: including holiday hours.
Keep it active
- Add real photos of your work, your team and your premises.
- Ask happy customers for reviews, and reply to every review, good or bad.
- Post updates occasionally about offers, projects or news.
Connect it to your website
Your website should show the same name, address and phone number, and ideally include LocalBusiness structured data so Google can match the two with confidence.
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