Google's local 3-pack — those three businesses that appear above organic results with a map — drives the majority of local business calls and directions requests. Most businesses never make it there. Here's how to fix that.
The 12-Point Checklist
1. Claim and verify your Google Business Profile Go to business.google.com. If your listing exists but isn't claimed, claim it. If it doesn't exist, create it. This is non-negotiable.
2. Complete every field in your GBP Category, description, hours, phone, website, service area, attributes. Incomplete profiles rank lower. Fill out every single field.
3. Use your exact business name Don't stuff keywords into your business name. Google will penalize you and potentially suspend your listing.
4. Pick the right primary category This is the most important ranking factor in your GBP. Be specific: "Roofing Contractor" beats "Contractor." Research what your top competitors are using.
5. Add at least 10 photos Businesses with 10+ photos receive 42% more direction requests. Add exterior, interior, team, and work/product photos. Update them monthly.
6. Get reviews — and respond to all of them Quantity, recency, and response rate all factor into local ranking. Ask every satisfied customer for a review. Respond within 24 hours to all reviews, including negative ones.
7. Build local citations List your business on Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Angi, and industry-specific directories. Your NAP (name, address, phone) must be identical across all platforms.
8. Add your city + service to your page titles "Roofing Contractor in Dallas, TX | Roof Works of Texas" — not just "Roof Works of Texas."
9. Create service area pages One page per city or neighborhood you serve. "Roofing in Plano TX," "Roofing in Frisco TX," etc. Each page needs unique content, not just swapped city names.
10. Embed a Google Map on your contact page This signals to Google that you're a real, physical business at a real location.
11. Get local backlinks Sponsor a local event. Join the chamber of commerce. Get listed in a local business directory. Each local link tells Google you're part of the community.
12. Post to your GBP weekly Google Posts are free. Use them for specials, updates, and recent work. Businesses that post regularly rank higher than those that don't.
The 90-day expectation
Completing this checklist won't guarantee page one overnight, but businesses that execute all 12 points consistently see meaningful ranking movement within 60–90 days. We handle all of this as part of our Growth package and ongoing Local SEO add-on.