Complete your Google Business Profile, keep your name, address and phone the same everywhere, collect and answer reviews, and have a website page for each thing you sell, saying where you are.
How Google picks local businesses
Google says local results are based mainly on three things: how relevant your business is to the search, how far you are from the person searching, and how prominent, meaning well known, your business is.
You cannot change where the customer is standing. You can make sure Google fully understands what you do, and that your business looks well known and trusted.
Step one: your Google Business Profile
This is your free listing on Google Maps and in search. Complete everything: the right category, hours, photos, phone, website and a description. Google’s own help says complete and accurate information helps you appear for more searches.
Step two: the same details everywhere
Your business name, address and phone number should be written exactly the same on your website, Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Business and directories. Small differences make Google less sure these are all the same business.
Step three: reviews, and replies
- Ask happy customers for a review, with a direct link, right after a good experience.
- Reply to every review, good or bad, politely.
- Never buy or fake reviews. It breaks Google’s rules and can get your listing removed.
Step four: a website that says what and where
- A page for each main thing you sell, with the town or area in the text, for example “cake delivery in Kigali”.
- Your address and phone on every page, often in the footer.
Fast on a phone. Test it with the free website check.Connected to Google Search Console. See the Search Console guide.
Further reading
Official documentation behind the technical guidance in this article.
