In today’s digital world, ranking on Google Maps can be a game-changer for local businesses. Whether you’re a café in Sydney, a plumber in Perth, or a digital agency in Melbourne, your Google My Business (GMB) profile is key to dominating local search. But how do you actually rank higher on Google Maps using GMB?
This guide breaks down the most effective strategies to help your business stand out, drive local traffic, and get more customers through your door.
Why Google Maps Rankings Matter
When someone searches “best pizza near me” or “SEO agency in Darwin,” Google displays local listings with maps at the top of the page. This is called the Local Pack, and appearing here significantly boosts visibility, clicks, and calls.
According to recent data:
- 46% of all Google searches are local
- 78% of local mobile searches lead to an in-store purchase
- Businesses in the top 3 of the map pack receive the vast majority of traffic
So, how do you climb those coveted top spots?
1. Claim and Verify Your GMB Listing
Your first step is making sure you have full control of your business on Google.
✅ Steps to Claim:
- Go to google.com/business
- Sign in and search for your business
- If it appears, claim it. If not, create a new one
- Complete the verification (usually by postcard or phone)
Pro Tip:
Choose the most accurate business category (e.g., “Digital Marketing Agency” instead of just “Marketing”).
2. Optimize Your GMB Profile Completely
A fully optimized profile outperforms incomplete listings. Here’s what to fill out:
- Business name (as it appears in real life)
- An accurate address and location pin
- Business hours (update for holidays!)
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Appointment link (if applicable)
- Services and products offered
- Business description (up to 750 characters, SEO-optimized)
- Opening date
Pro Tip:
Use keywords naturally in your description (e.g., “We’re a Gold Coast-based SEO agency offering local SEO and website design services”).
3. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos
Google encourages visual content to showcase your brand. Listings with photos get:
- 42% more requests for directions
- 35% more click-throughs to websites
Upload:
- A professional logo
- Cover photo
- Images of your storefront, team, services, or completed projects
- Short videos (less than 30 seconds work best)
4. Get and Manage Google Reviews
Reviews are the lifeblood of local SEO. More positive reviews = better rankings.
Tips:
- Ask happy customers to leave a review (via email, text, or in-person)
- Respond to all reviews – both positive and negative
- Use keywords in your responses to boost SEO
- Don’t use fake reviews (Google can detect them and may penalize you)
5. Use GMB Posts Regularly
Think of GMB Posts like social media updates. Posting regularly tells Google you’re active and relevant.
Post about:
- Promotions or sales
- Events
- New services
- Blog articles or case studies
Each post can include images, links, CTAs (call now, learn more, etc.), and more.
6. Build Local Citations and Backlinks
Your GMB profile’s performance is also affected by your presence across the web.
What to do:
- Submit your business to Australian directories like TrueLocal, Hotfrog, Yelp, YellowPages, etc.
- Make sure NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) is 100% identical across platforms
- Get local backlinks from blogs, chambers of commerce, or partners
7. Use Local Keywords and Content
Google uses relevance as a ranking factor. You can improve this by:
- Including location keywords in your website and GMB description
- Writing blogs like “Top 10 Coffee Shops in Brisbane” or “Gold Coast Plumbing Tips”
- Adding location pages on your site for each city/region you serve
8. Enable Messaging and Bookings
GMB offers features like direct messaging and appointment booking. Turning these on increases engagement and helps Google rank you higher.
- Enable messaging in your GMB dashboard
- Use booking integrations like Calendly or Reserve with Google
9. Track Performance with Insights
GMB provides Insights, which help you track:
- How people find your listing
- Where they’re coming from
- What actions they take (calls, direction requests, website visits)
Use these to tweak your listing for better performance.
10. Bonus Tip: Use UTM Parameters for Tracking
If you want to track which clicks came from your GMB listing, add UTM parameters to your website URL in the GMB profile.
Example:
https://yourwebsite.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=local_seo
This will show up in your Google Analytics, helping you measure ROI.
Final Thoughts
Ranking on Google Maps is not about tricks it’s about consistent local SEO best practices. Google wants to show the most relevant, reliable, and active businesses to users.
By following the steps in this guide, claiming and optimizing your GMB profile, collecting genuine reviews, posting regularly, and keeping your data consistent, you’ll steadily climb the rankings and attract more local customers.
🚀 Need Help with GMB Optimization?If you’re an Australian business looking to dominate Google Maps, reach out to a local SEO expert like GlobalGenie.com.au. Their tailored local SEO strategies help small businesses across Australia improve visibility, generate leads, and grow online.
