You know the feeling. You type your business name into Google Maps and... tumbleweeds. It’s not there. Or maybe it is there, but it’s buried beneath competitors with dozens of shiny five-star reviews, bold photos, and “open now” banners. Meanwhile, you’re wondering, how do I get my business to show up like that?

Well, good news – that’s exactly what we’re going to cover today.

If you're a UK small business owner trying to be visible in local searches, appearing on Google Maps isn’t just a “nice to have” – it's a must. This is prime digital real estate, where customers are actively searching for what you offer. And when you show up properly, you're not just present – you're powerful.

In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step, in plain English. No tech degree required. Just a cuppa and a bit of patience.

Why Google Maps Matters for Small Businesses

Let’s start with the obvious question: Why bother?

Simple. Because people use Google Maps to find businesses like yours – especially when they’re ready to buy.

86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps (Source: Backlinko).

“Near me” searches have exploded over the past few years, and the vast majority are from people ready to act.

If your business doesn’t show up, it’s as if you don’t exist. Not great.

Being on Google Maps also:

Helps customers find you easily

Boosts your local SEO

Encourages reviews and social proof

Makes your contact info accessible in one tap

It’s basically your modern-day shopfront.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Business on Google Maps

Set Up (or Claim) Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Google Maps listings are powered by Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business – they love a rebrand). This free tool allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps.

Here’s how:

Go to google.com/business

Sign in with a Google account you want associated with your business

Follow the steps to add your business:

Name

Business category (be as accurate as possible)

Location (you can choose whether customers can visit you or not)

Contact details

Website (if you have one)

Verify your business – usually by postcard, phone, or email

📝 Top tip: If your business already exists on Maps (sometimes Google guesses based on data from elsewhere), you’ll need to claim it rather than create a new one.

Add Accurate & Complete Information

Google loves details. The more comprehensive and consistent your information, the better you’ll rank.

Be sure to:

Add your full business name

Ensure your address, phone number, and website match what's on your website and social profiles (consistency is key)

Choose the most relevant category – then add secondary ones if needed

Write a compelling business description – friendly, factual, and focused on what makes you special

Set your opening hours – including holiday hours

🎯 Pro tip: Think like your customer. What would you want to know before visiting?

Add Photos (Real Ones!)

Google loves images. And so do people. In fact, listings with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to websites.

Start with:

A high-quality profile photo

Your shop front or logo

Interior shots

Products, team, or action shots

These give your business personality and help build trust. Blurry or boring stock photos? No thanks.

📸 Bonus tip: Add new photos regularly – it signals to Google that your profile is active.

Collect & Respond to Reviews

This one’s massive.

Reviews aren’t just for restaurants. Whether you’re a plumber in Portsmouth or a florist in Falmouth, reviews make or break your visibility.

Ask happy customers to leave you a review on Google. You can even share your direct link (found in your GBP dashboard). Don’t be shy – people are usually happy to help if you’ve done a good job.

💬 Don’t forget to reply to every review – good, bad or neutral. It shows you’re active and that you care.

Even a simple “Thanks so much for the lovely words, hope to see you again!” goes a long way.

Keep Your Profile Active

Here’s a cheeky truth: Google doesn’t like ghost towns.

The more active your Google Business Profile is, the more likely Google is to show it in Maps results.

Here’s how to stay fresh:

Post updates (special offers, new products, events)

Add Q&As (more on that later)

Keep info up to date – change opening hours if you need to

Upload new photos and respond to reviews regularly

Think of your Google profile like a mini social media page – it needs a bit of love!

Embed Google Maps on Your Website

Not only does this help customers find you, but it also strengthens your SEO.

Here’s how:

Go to your Google Maps listing

Click “Share”

Choose “Embed a map”

Copy the HTML code and paste it into your website’s contact page

📍It’s a nice touch for users, and a subtle nudge for Google that you’re the real deal.

Use Local Keywords in Your Website & Content

This part blends into classic SEO, but it’s worth mentioning.

Make sure your website includes local keywords – terms people might use when looking for your service in your area.

Examples:

“Dog groomer in Derby”

“Best vegan bakery in Bristol”

“Independent bookshop near Camden”

Use these naturally in your homepage, service pages, meta titles and blog posts.

Build Local Citations

Citations are mentions of your business on other websites – like directories or industry sites – that include your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number).

Key UK directories to list on:

Yell.com

Thomson Local

Scoot

FreeIndex

Yelp UK

192.com

Checkatrade (if relevant)

Trustpilot (for eCommerce)

🔁 Keep your NAP consistent across every listing. Even tiny differences (Ltd vs Limited) can cause confusion for search engines.

Bonus Tips to Beat the Competition

Want to give your listing that extra shine? Try these:

🌟 Use Posts in Your Profile

You can publish mini-posts directly on your Google profile. Think:

Weekly offers

Announcements

“Meet the Team” intros

They show up in your listing and help you stay relevant.

🌟 Add Products or Services

This helps people know exactly what you do before they even click. You can upload individual services or products, set pricing, and include short descriptions.

🌟 Use Messaging

Turn on messaging so customers can contact you via Google directly. Just be sure someone checks the messages – a speedy reply makes a great first impression.

FAQs: Google Maps for Small Businesses

Q1: How long does it take for my business to show up on Google Maps?

🕒 It usually takes a few days after verification, but can be quicker. If it’s been over a week and nothing’s showing, check your profile’s status or see if you've missed a step.

Q2: Why isn’t my business showing up even though I created a profile?

There could be several reasons:

You haven’t verified your listing

You’ve entered the address incorrectly

Your business category is too vague

You don’t have any reviews or activity yet

Your listing has been suspended (check for policy violations)

Q3: Can I still appear on Maps if I don’t have a shopfront?

Yes! If you're a service-area business (like a mobile dog groomer or freelance accountant), you can hide your address and list the areas you serve instead.

Q4: Do I need a website to appear on Google Maps?

Not necessarily. Google lets you create a free business site from your profile. But having a proper website can definitely help with SEO and credibility.

Q5: What if there are duplicates of my business on Maps?

You can request to remove or merge duplicate listings via your Google Business dashboard or by reporting them on Google Maps.

Q6: How do I rank higher than my competitors?

There’s no magic wand, but the big factors are:

Reviews (quality and quantity)

Complete profile info

Proximity to the searcher

Regular updates and activity

Consistent NAP across the web

Q7: Do I need to pay to show up on Google Maps?

Nope. It’s completely free. That said, Google Ads (like Local Services Ads or pay-per-click) can boost your visibility in map results – but they’re optional.

Show Up Where It Counts

Getting your business to show up on Google Maps isn’t a one-and-done task – it’s something you build and maintain. But it’s worth every minute.

You’ll boost visibility, build trust, and reach local customers when they’re actually looking for what you offer.

If this all feels a bit overwhelming – or you simply don’t have the time – it might be time to call in the pros. A reputable SEO service can handle your local listings, optimise your website, and help you appear not just on Google Maps... but in the hearts and minds of your ideal customers too.

Want help showing up and standing out? Let’s chat – we love helping UK small businesses get found.Call or whatsapp us 078816 528421