When someone searches for a café, clinic or repair shop near them, Google shows a map with a short list of businesses. Appearing in that list can bring calls, visits and enquiries without paying for ads.
What Google looks at
Google says local results are based mainly on three things: how well your profile matches what the person searched for (relevance), how far away you are (distance), and how well known your business is (prominence). You cannot change distance, but you can improve the other two.
Practical steps
- Claim and verify your profile. Unverified profiles have limited features.
- Choose the right main category. It tells Google what you are, so be specific.
- Fill in every section. Add opening hours, services, a description, your website, phone number and attributes.
- Keep your name, address and phone number consistent everywhere online, including your website and social pages.
- Add real photos. Show your premises, products, team and work.
- Collect reviews. Ask happy customers to leave one, and reply to every review politely.
- Post updates. Share offers, news and events so the profile shows recent activity.
- Build a good website. Create pages that mention your services and area, and link them with your profile.
- Get listed in trusted directories so other websites confirm that your business exists.
- Check your insights each month to see views, calls and direction requests.
What does not work
- Adding keywords to your business name. Use your real name, or risk a suspension.
- Buying or writing fake reviews, which break Google's rules and can get your profile restricted.
- Using a virtual office or mailbox as your address.
Be patient
Rankings change slowly and depend on the competition in your area, so measure progress over months, not days.
We set up and manage profiles for Malaysian businesses. See our Google Business Profile service or request a free review of yours.