You can fit a boiler, build an extension or rewire a house blindfolded (please don’t!!), but trying to make your business appear on Google Maps?? That’s where most tradespeople start sweating buckets. In 2025, Google Maps SEO isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the battleground for local leads. According to BrightLocal, 86% of consumers use Google Maps to find local services, and trades like plumbing, roofing and carpentry top the list.
If your business doesn’t appear in the top three map results, you’re essentially invisible to most searchers. But don’t panic! with a few strategic tweaks, you can climb into that coveted “3-Pack” and turn Maps visibility into real calls and bookings, dominating the competition.
Google actually uses three main factors to decide which trade businesses show first on Maps: relevance, distance and prominence. It sounds simple, but each section hides layers of SEO science.
Aimee Lycett, SEO expert at Local Trade Websites, explains: “Most trades focus on distance but forget prominence. Google Maps SEO is about building trust signals online; reviews, links, content consistency, not just being physically close.”
If your Google Business Profile isn’t optimised, you’re handing work to your competitors. Complete every field, don’t leave any blank, This is known as your NAP and it must be consistent!
Here’s what to check:
Businesses that post updates regularly on their GBP receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website according to Google’s own research.
Rob Gould from Local Trade Websites adds: “Your Google Business Profile is like a shop window. When you update it often, new photos, posts, reviews. Google notices you’re active and rewards you with higher visibility.”
This is where most trades trip up. You might serve multiple towns, but if your website doesn’t reflect that, Google doesn’t know. By creating individual service pages for each town or area, you tell Google exactly where you work and boost your local map rankings.
For instance, a plumber in Maidstone could have separate pages like:
Each should include a short intro, local testimonials and embedded Google Map pins. According to Moz’s Local Search Ranking Factors, location-based content is one of the top five signals influencing map rankings.
Reviews aren’t just social proof, they directly affect your Google Maps position. The trick is to get consistent, genuine reviews over time, not 10 in one day.
Aimee Lycett points out: “Google reviews are one of the strongest ranking signals for Maps. A business with regular, detailed feedback often outranks one with double the reviews but no responses.”
To truly dominate Maps, you need a network of consistent citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number) across trusted directories like Yell, Checkatrade and Thomson Local.
Local SEO tools like SEMrush’s Listing Management or BrightLocal’s Citation Tracker help maintain NAP consistency.
Rob Gould explains: “We often find trades with 15 different versions of their address online. Google sees that as confusion. Consistency builds trust and trust equals rankings.”
Local SEO isn’t a one-and-done job. Check your Insights tab in Google Business Profile to see where views, calls and directions are coming from. Compare it to your Google Search Console data monthly.
Use tools like Ahrefs or Local Falcon to measure your map rankings in different postcodes. Continuous testing ensures you stay in the 3-Pack even when algorithms change.
Aimee notes: “The trades that win on Google Maps are the ones that treat SEO like a maintenance contract; small tweaks, monthly reviews and constant care.”
At Local Trade Websites we don’t just build good-looking sites, we build map-ranking machines. Our SEO packages include Google Business optimisation, local landing pages, directory submissions, review strategies, and speed-optimised design, all proven to improve local map visibility.
We’ve helped trades across the UK go from invisible to dominant in their area. Whether you’re a roofer in Bristol or an electrician in Kent, our tailored SEO approach keeps your phone ringing. Ranking on Google Maps isn’t luck, it’s strategy. Once you understand how Maps works and optimise your presence step by step, your business becomes the first name locals see when they search for your trade.
Ready to get your trade business seen at the top of Google Maps? Contact Local Trade Websites today for a free SEO consultation and start climbing the rankings.
