For home service businesses like HVAC, landscaping, plumbing, and electrical services, local visibility online is everything. When people search for “plumbers near me” or “local HVAC services,” they’re looking for nearby solutions—and they often turn to Google’s “Maps Pack” to find them. Ranking in the Maps Pack (the three businesses that appear in a Google search before the organic results) is one of the most effective ways to attract local leads.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what Local SEO is, why it matters for home service companies, and steps you can take to boost your ranking in the Maps Pack.
What is Local SEO, and Why Does it Matter for Home Services?
Local SEO focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract business from local searches. Unlike traditional SEO, which targets keywords and searches globally or nationally, Local SEO zeroes in on your geographic area. For home service providers, this means making sure your business appears when customers in your service area search for the services you offer.
When optimized well, Local SEO connects you directly to nearby customers who are ready to book your services, increasing your leads and helping you build trust within your community.
The Power of Google’s Maps Pack
The Maps Pack is the group of three business listings that appear just below the ads and above the organic search results on Google. It includes a business’s name, rating, number of reviews, hours of operation, and a link to the Google Maps location. Because it’s highly visible and immediately connects searchers to local providers, ranking in the Maps Pack can significantly increase your business’s visibility and credibility.
For instance, if someone in your area searches “plumbing repair,” being in the Maps Pack increases the likelihood they’ll find you before scrolling down to competitors further in the organic results.
4 Steps to Rank in the Maps Pack for Home Services
Achieving a spot in the Maps Pack requires consistent effort, but here are four practical steps to get you started:
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is critical for ranking in the Maps Pack. Complete every section of your profile with accurate and updated information:
- Business Name: Use your real business name, as adding keywords can lead to penalties.
- Business Address & Service Area: If you have a physical location, add the address. For service-based businesses, define your service area accurately.
- Categories: Select the most relevant categories (e.g., “Plumber” or “HVAC contractor”).
- Description: Write a detailed, engaging description that includes local keywords (e.g., “residential plumbing services in Redding, CA”).
- Photos: Add high-quality photos of your work, team, and office to make your profile look trustworthy.
2. Collect and Manage Customer Reviews
Google places a lot of emphasis on customer reviews. Positive reviews show that your business is reliable and trusted. Encourage satisfied customers to leave a review by making it easy for them—send a quick follow-up email or text after a job is complete.
Responding to reviews is also important, as it demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction. Thank customers for positive feedback and address any concerns from negative reviews professionally. Review management is a powerful way to build trust and improve your ranking.
3. Use Local Keywords in Your Content
Adding local keywords to your website and GBP description can also improve your ranking. This can be as simple as adding phrases like “Plumbing services in [City]” or “Affordable landscaping in [Neighborhood]” to your service pages, blog posts, and descriptions.
Adding local keywords to the text on your GBP and within the content on your website helps Google understand where you operate and what you do. The more relevant and consistent these keywords are, the more likely Google will be to rank you in the Maps Pack.
4. Build Local Citations
A citation is a mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites, like online directories (Yelp, Better Business Bureau) or local chamber of commerce listings. Citations improve your credibility and help Google confirm your business information across the web.
Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across all listings; discrepancies can confuse Google and hurt your ranking. To save time, consider using a citation management service to ensure consistency and to identify new citation opportunities.
Additional Tips to Improve Your Maps Pack Ranking
- Create Geo-Tagged Content: Add locally relevant blog posts or service area pages to your website.
- Update Your GBP Regularly: Post updates about new services, promotions, or company news to your GBP to keep your profile fresh.
- Track Competitors: Keep an eye on top-ranked competitors for ideas on improving your own strategy.
Why Investing in Local SEO is Worth It
Local SEO is one of the most effective ways for home service businesses to gain visibility, credibility, and conversions. By consistently optimizing your GBP, gathering reviews, using local keywords, and building citations, you’re building a foundation that connects you directly to customers ready to book. And for home services, visibility in the Maps Pack can be a game-changer.
Get Started with Local SEO for Your Business
If you’re looking to improve your online presence, reach new customers, and rank in Google’s Maps Pack, our team at Ashford Creative can help. We specialize in Local SEO for home service businesses, including Google Business Profile management, reputation management, and ad strategies that generate fast leads.
Contact us today to learn how our local SEO solutions can drive more traffic and leads to your business..
