How to Get Your Google My Business Profile into the 3-Pack

When people search for local businesses, the results they see are often influenced by location, relevance, and prominence. For many businesses, appearing in the Google "3-Pack" (the three local businesses that appear at the top of local search results) can significantly increase visibility, traffic, and sales. Getting your business profile into the 3-Pack can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, it is achievable. Here’s how to get your Google My Business (GMB) profile into the coveted 3-Pack.

1. Complete Your Google My Business Profile

The first and most essential step in getting your GMB profile into the 3-Pack is ensuring that it is complete and fully optimized. Google rewards businesses with complete profiles, so make sure to provide the following information:

• Business Name: Ensure your business name is accurate and matches your official business signage.
• Business Address: This should be consistent with the address on your website and other local citations (directories).
• Phone Number: Use a local phone number if possible, rather than a toll-free number. This adds to the local relevancy factor.
• Website: Make sure your website URL is correct and functional.
• Business Hours: Provide accurate and up-to-date hours, including holiday hours if applicable.
• Business Categories: Select the most accurate categories for your business. Be specific but also consider any secondary categories that might help people find you.
• Photos: Upload high-quality photos of your business, products, and services. Google loves profiles with visuals, and listings with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to websites.
• Services/Products: Clearly describe the services or products you offer. This helps Google match your business to relevant search queries.

2. Claim and Verify Your Listing

Google needs to know that you are the owner of the business before you can make any changes or updates to your profile. Claim your business through Google My Business, and verify it via a phone call, email, or postcard that Google sends to your business address. Verification establishes your legitimacy, and it is essential for appearing in local search results.

3. Optimize for Local SEO

Your GMB listing is just one element of local SEO. To increase your chances of showing up in the 3-Pack, you must optimize your entire online presence for local search. Here’s how:

• Local Keywords: Use location-based keywords throughout your website and in your Google My Business profile. For example, if you run a plumbing business in Denver, use phrases like "plumbing services in Denver" or "best plumber in Denver."
• Local Backlinks: Build backlinks from reputable local sources (news outlets, local business directories, and local blogs). Google values local authority, so these backlinks can help improve your local ranking.
• NAP Consistency: Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across your website, social media, and other online listings (Yellow Pages, Yelp, etc.).

4. Get Reviews and Manage Them

Google reviews play a significant role in determining who gets into the 3-Pack. The quantity, quality, and recency of reviews all impact your ranking. Here's what you can do to maximize reviews:

• Ask for Reviews: Politely ask your satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile. Offer them a simple link to your review page to make the process easier.
• Respond to Reviews: Be sure to respond to both positive and negative reviews. It shows that you care about customer feedback, and Google rewards businesses that engage with their customers.
• Quality Reviews Matter: The more high-quality, positive reviews you receive, the better. Focus on providing excellent service to encourage customers to leave glowing feedback.

5. Build Local Citations

Local citations (mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number across the web) are crucial for ranking well in local searches. Build citations on authoritative local sites, directories, and review platforms. Some popular ones include Yelp, TripAdvisor, Yellow Pages, and the Better Business Bureau.

Be consistent with your NAP information when building citations. Inconsistent or incorrect details can confuse search engines and harm your ranking.

6. Use Google Posts

Google My Business allows you to publish posts directly to your profile, much like social media posts. These posts can include special offers, news, or events related to your business. Posting regularly helps keep your listing fresh, and it may also improve your local SEO.

These posts can also appear directly in your 3-Pack listing, giving potential customers an incentive to click through to your website or contact you.

7. Enhance Your GMB with Attributes and Questions

Google My Business allows you to add special attributes to your listing, such as whether your business is wheelchair accessible, offers delivery, or has a vegan-friendly menu. Adding attributes that are relevant to your business can help you stand out in search results.

Additionally, encourage customers to ask questions on your Google listing. Responding to these questions can help provide useful information to potential customers and may improve your visibility.

8. Engage with Google Q&A

Google My Business has a Q&A feature that lets users ask questions about your business directly from your profile. Ensure that you actively monitor this section and provide clear, accurate answers to common inquiries. A well-managed Q&A section can provide valuable information to users and boost your chances of showing up in the 3-Pack.

9. Monitor Your Insights and Adjust Strategies

Google My Business offers powerful analytics, known as Insights, that allow you to track how customers find your profile, where they’re coming from, and what actions they take. Use this data to refine your strategy, adjusting your keywords, business hours, photos, or posts to align better with customer preferences and search trends.

Conclusion

Getting your Google My Business profile into the 3-Pack takes time, effort, and consistent optimization. By fully completing and verifying your profile, optimizing for local SEO, getting more reviews, and building citations, you can significantly increase your chances of ranking in the coveted top three local search results. With a well-managed Google My Business profile, you’ll attract more customers, improve local visibility, and set your business up for success.