1. Fill Out Every Section of Your Google Business Profile

This sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many businesses skip it. Google gives you fields for a reason — name, address, hours, categories, services, description, and more. The more complete your profile, the more credible and relevant you seem.

Pro tip: Use your primary keyword in your business description, but don’t keyword stuff.

2. Select the Most Accurate Categories

Your primary category tells Google what you do. Choose the one that most closely aligns withyour core service. Then, add secondary categories if applicable.

Example: If you’re a landscape designer, pick “Landscape Designer,” not just “Contractor.”

3. Add All Relevant Services andProducts

Use the services section to list what you offer — each with a short description and price (ifpossible). This boosts relevance when people search for specific terms.

4. Write Keyword-Rich Service Descriptions

Tailor each service page to your location and include your main keywords.

Yes, you can useChatGPT for this. Feed in your services and say something like:

“Write a service page that ranks well for ‘roof repair in Cologne.’”

5. Use High-Quality, Original Photos

Photos help build trust and show real-world evidence of your work. Add pictures of your team,y our work, your office — anything real. Avoid stock photos.

6. Post Regular Updates

Google lets you publish posts about promotions, events, tips, or updates. Posting weekly orbiweekly signals that your business is active and engaged — and gives potential customers more reasons to contact you.

7. Enable Messaging

Let people message you directly from your Google Business Profile. More engagement means more ranking signals — plus, it helps convert curious searchers into leads.

8. Answer the Questions in the Q&ASection

You can (and should!) ask and answer your own frequently asked questions. These act as pre-sale touchpoints for potential clients and boost your profile’s SEO with natural keyword usage.

9. Respond to All Reviews

Reply to every single review — positive or negative. This shows engagement andprofessionalism, and encourages more people to leave reviews.

10. Add Local Content to Your Website and GBP

If you serve multiple areas, create individual service pages for each location. Include neighborhood names, landmarks, or service-specific info. Google loves this kind of local relevance.

11. Encourage Google Reviews

Ask satisfied customers to leave you a review — ideally right after you’ve completed the job. Send a direct link to make it easy. The more reviews you get, the stronger yourprofile becomes.

12. Aim for a High Star Rating

A 4.8-star average from 40 reviews is better than a 4.6 from 100. Quality matters as much as quantity. Prioritize exceptional service to earn those glowing reviews.

13. Encourage Keyword-Rich Reviews

While you can’t script what customers say, you can ask them to mention the specific service they received and their location (e.g., “plumbing repair in Berlin”). These keywords reinforce your relevance in Google’s eyes.

14. Add a Booking or Appointment Link

If you offer appointments, add a direct booking URL to your profile. This improves conversions and gives Google another indicator that people engage with your listing.

15. Get Listed in Online Directories

Citations — mentions of your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) — help reinforce your legitimacy.Add your business to major platforms like Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps, BingPlaces, and industry-specific or local directories.

Reminder: Keep yourNAP consistent across every listing.

16. Remove Spammy Competitor Listings

This one’s a bit sneaky — but legit. Report fake or misleading competitor listings that use keyword-stuffed business names or duplicate locations. Google often removes these, and when they’re gone, your chances of moving up improve.

The w7 Conclusion

Ranking in the Google local 3-pack isn’t magic — it’s about consistency, relevance, and effort. These 16 steps aren’t hard, but they do require some time and focus. Implement even half of them, and you’ll likely see a noticeable boost invisibility.