Guide 1: Check the basics before buying more SEO.

More pages do not always solve the main problem. First, check whether customers can understand your offer and reach you. Mark each item below as working, needs attention or needs more evidence.

Keep one correct set of business facts.

Write down your approved business name, phone, website, opening hours and real location or service area. Add the services you want to promote. Use this record when checking your website and listings, especially after a move or rebrand.

Give each important service a useful page.

Open the page for each main service. Can a new visitor tell what you do, who the service suits and how to enquire? Add answers that help them choose. Avoid making dozens of pages that only change a city name.

Try the contact path on a phone.

Start on a service page and follow the enquiry button. Check that the form opens, labels are readable and required fields are clear. Make one clearly marked test submission. Confirm both the success message and the actual email or saved enquiry.

Check the pages you want people to find.

Make a list of your main public URLs. Open each one and check the content, title and useful links. If you have Search Console access, inspect a page there when you need to investigate whether Google can find and index it.

Turn problems into a short task list.

For each issue, record the page, problem, next action and person responsible. Start with broken contact paths and missing service information. Keep design preferences separate from faults that stop people using the site.

For the search basics, read Google’s SEO Starter Guide. For help with the work, compare on-page SEO, technical SEO and a local audit.

Guide 2: Why does your Maps position change?

Two people can search for the same service and see different local results. Their location and the details of the search affect what appears. Google describes local results in terms of relevance, distance and how well known a business is. Read Google’s local ranking guidance.

Separate accuracy, visibility and customer action.

First, check whether your business information is correct. Next, look at where the business appears for relevant searches. Then check whether suitable people call, visit or enquire. These are different questions and need different evidence.

A complete profile does not prove that you appear across a whole city. A rise in profile views does not prove that more calls became paying customers.

Compare the same things over time.

Record the search terms, locations, dates and method used in your checks. Keep the method consistent so the comparison means something. One good screenshot can miss a wider problem, while one poor result can hide useful progress elsewhere.

Work on the details you can control.

Keep your services, hours and contact details accurate. Make your website helpful and test the enquiry path. If a profile is suspended or needs verification, address that issue before assuming that more content will fix it.

See Business Profile support, local keyword research or local SEO plans for focused help.

Guide 3: Ask for feedback customers can trust.

Ask people who have actually used your business to share an honest review. Google allows a review link or QR code, but does not allow rewards for posting, changing or removing reviews. Check Google’s review guidance before setting up your process.

Choose a natural time to ask.

Ask after a real customer interaction, using an appropriate contact channel. Keep the request brief and respect communication preferences. Use a fair process rather than sending only happy customers to the public review page.

Use a neutral message.

Adapt this sample to your business. Do not offer a discount or make a positive rating a condition for support. Separate email or messaging campaigns must follow the rules that apply to your business.

Reply without sharing private details.

Thank customers for useful feedback. For a complaint, respond calmly and offer a private route to discuss the issue. Do not publish health information, private contact details or sensitive transaction records in a reply.

Use the proper reporting route.

A negative opinion is not automatically a reason for removal. If a review appears to break platform rules, use the platform’s reporting process. Avoid promises of deletion and never buy replacement reviews.

Our profile management packages include review-request or response support where listed. Community marketing also needs honest participation and clear brand disclosure.