Why Your Competitor Ranks Higher on Google Maps (And What To Do About It)

You’ve probably typed your service into Google — “plumber in Chelmsford”, “beautician in Grays”, “electrician in Basildon” — only to find your competitor smugly sitting at the top of the Google Maps pack, waving at potential customers as they scroll right past you. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?

You know you’re good at what you do. Your customers love you. You’ve got a stash of five-star reviews. And yet… there they are. Higher up. More visible. Probably getting more calls.

In this post, we’re diving deep into why your competitor is ranking higher on Google Maps and what you can do — starting today — to claim your rightful spot at the top. And we’re not talking about techy waffle or empty promises. Just straight-talking, practical advice for UK small business owners who want to get found online and grow their leads.

We’re an Essex SEO company that specialises in helping businesses like yours get results, and we’re sharing our best insights here.

What Is the Google Maps Pack?

Let’s start with the basics. The Google Maps Pack, also called the Local Pack, is that box that shows up at the top of Google when you search for local services. It usually includes:

• A map with pins showing local businesses

• The top 3 listings related to your search

• Their star rating, contact info, and opening hours

Here’s the problem: only three listings appear unless the user clicks “More Places”. That means the difference between 3rd and 4th place is the difference between visibility and invisibility.

So how do some businesses consistently grab one of those coveted top spots? Let’s unpack it.

1. Your Competitor Has a Better Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is prime real estate. And if you haven’t filled yours out properly, your chances of ranking drop significantly.

Here’s what your competitor might be doing that you’re not:

• They’ve chosen the right primary category (not just “store” or “service”)

• Their business name matches their branding — no keyword stuffing

• They’ve added photos regularly

• They’re using updates, offers, and posts to keep things fresh

• Their opening hours are always up to date

🔧 Fix it: Audit your Google Business Profile today. Make sure it’s 100% complete, accurate, and active. Upload fresh photos once a week. Treat it like a mini social media platform — the more alive it is, the more Google trusts you.

2. They’ve Got More (and Better) Reviews

Google LOVES reviews. And it doesn’t just count how many you’ve got — it cares about:

• Recency: Are you consistently getting new ones?

• Frequency: Do reviews come in regularly?

• Quality: Are they 5 stars? Are they detailed?

• Keywords: Do people mention your services in the text?

Let me tell you about Tony. He’s a plumber in Benfleet (yes, this is a real client). For ages, Tony had 12 reviews, all five stars, but they were over a year old. His competitor had 36 reviews, some just a week old. The result? His competitor was always ahead — even though Tony had better ratings.

💡 Fix it: Set up a simple system to ask for reviews. Text customers after the job. Offer a small thank-you incentive. And make sure they mention what you did — e.g., “Fixed my boiler in Southend.”

3. They Have Better Local Citations

What’s a citation, you ask? It’s a mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on another website — directories, business listings, etc.

If your competitor’s details are consistently listed across the web, and yours are a jumbled mess (or missing), that’s going to hurt you.

🕵️ Fix it: Google your business name. Then Google your competitor’s. Who’s listed where? Use free tools like BrightLocal’s Citation Tracker or just make a list of sites like:

• Yell.com

• Yelp

• FreeIndex

• Thomson Local

• Bing Places

…and get yourself listed. Consistency is key: the same format, same phone number, no typos.

4. Their Website Has Better SEO Signals

Yes, your website affects your Google Maps ranking. Google pulls clues from your website to decide how relevant you are to a local search.

If your competitor has a faster website with clear keywords, service pages for different locations, and useful content, they’re sending strong “I know what I’m doing” signals.

📈 Fix it:

• Add your town/city name on your homepage, contact page, and service pages

• Use keywords like “Builder in Colchester” naturally in your content

• Create a separate page for each location you serve (not one long list!)

5. They’re Closer to the Searcher’s Location

Here’s the kicker — sometimes, your competitor is just physically closer to the person doing the search. Google’s algorithm prioritises distance, especially for services where location matters (like a takeaway or a locksmith).

But don’t panic.

While you can’t move your premises, you can:

• Expand your service area in your Google Business Profile

• Add location pages to your website

• Get reviews that mention surrounding towns

🏘️ Example: Leah runs a beauty salon in Grays. Her profile says she serves “Essex” — but she started getting more calls from Chafford Hundred and Tilbury after adding those locations to her website and getting reviews mentioning them.

6. They’re More Active Online

Google notices activity. If your competitor is posting weekly updates to their profile, sharing offers, uploading photos of their work, and engaging with reviews, they look more legit.

🗓️ Fix it:

• Post something once a week — a tip, an offer, or a photo of your latest job

• Respond to every review, even if it’s just a quick “Thanks!”

• Keep your opening hours up to date

Think of your profile as a shop window — would you leave yours dusty for a month?

7. They’re Using a Local SEO Expert (Like Us!)

If you’ve been trying to figure this all out alone, while juggling your actual job, that might be the real difference.

SEO is time-consuming and fiddly — but when done right, it works.

Many business owners hand it off to an expert so they can focus on doing what they do best. That’s where we come in.

We’re an Essex SEO company that specialises in helping local businesses get found, get calls, and grow their leads — without spending a fortune on ads.

What You Can Do Right Now

Let’s get practical. Here’s your DIY action plan to start climbing up those Google Maps results:

1. Audit your Google Business Profile
   ✅ Is it complete?
   ✅ Are your categories correct?
   ✅ Got photos?

2. Get 3 new reviews this week
   ✅ Text past clients
   ✅ Send them the direct link to review you

3. Check your business info across the web
   ✅ Is your name, address, and number the same everywhere?

4. Update your website for local SEO
   ✅ Add your location to service pages
   ✅ Create specific pages for different towns you serve

5. Post something every week
   ✅ Use your Google Business Profile like social media

6. Track your rankings
   ✅ Use tools like BrightLocal or just Google yourself in incognito mode

Real Talk: This Stuff Adds Up

Ranking on Google Maps isn’t about one magic trick. It’s about doing the little things consistently. Your competitor might not be better than you — but they might be doing more online than you are.

And the good news? That’s fixable.

You don’t need a marketing degree or hours of free time. You just need a bit of help.

If all this sounds like a headache, let us take it off your hands.

We’re a friendly, straight-talking Essex SEO company that helps small businesses like yours show up online, get found on Google Maps, and turn views into calls.

Whether you need a one-off fix or ongoing support, we’re here to help.

📞 Contact us today for a free visibility check and a plan of action tailored to your business.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to see results on Google Maps?
A: It depends on how competitive your area is. Some businesses see improvements in a few weeks, others take a few months — but consistency pays off.

Q: Do I need a website to rank on Google Maps?
A: Technically no, but having a good website massively helps. It sends trust signals to Google and gives customers a place to learn more about you.

Q: What’s the difference between Google Ads and Google Maps?
A: Google Ads are paid placements — you show up because you’re paying. Google Maps results are organic — you show up because Google trusts your profile.

Q: Can I rank in more than one town?
A: Yes! Create location pages on your website and get reviews that mention different towns you serve. That helps expand your reach.

Q: I’ve already got good reviews. Why am I still not ranking?
A: Reviews are just one piece of the puzzle. You also need good on-page SEO, consistent citations, active updates, and the right categories.

Q: Can you do this for me?
A: Absolutely. We’re an Essex SEO company that specialises in local visibility. Just get in touch, and we’ll take care of the heavy lifting.

REMEMBER

Your competitor isn’t unbeatable. They’re just playing the local SEO game — and now, you know the rules too.

It’s time to stop feeling invisible and start taking action.

Want to show up on Google Maps and start getting more local leads?

👉 Reach out to us today — let’s get your business the attention it deserves.