How to Show Up on Google Maps for Your Surrey Business

To show up on Google Maps you need a Google Business Profile that you've claimed and filled in completely. Google says local results are based on three things. They are relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how far you are from the person searching) and prominence (how well known you are, including reviews). It also says businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up.

You can't change distance. Everything else below is free, and most of it takes an afternoon.

What do I need before I can appear on Google Maps?

A Google Business Profile. It's free and separate from your website. Set it up at google.com/business.

Google often creates profiles on its own from old listings. Search your business name plus your town, for example "Harper Hair Woking". If a profile appears that you don't control, claim that one rather than making a second.

Then fill in every field, including name, address or service area, phone, hours, website, services and a description. A half-finished profile gives Google less to match to searches.

Which category should I choose?

The most specific one that fits. Google's own guidelines say to use as few categories as possible and choose ones that are as specific as possible. "Hair salon" rather than "Salon". "Physiotherapist" rather than "Clinic".

Google suggests a simple test. Pick categories that finish the sentence "This business is a…", not "this business has a…". Your main category decides which searches you can appear for at all, so it's worth getting right.

Does my name, address and phone need to match everywhere?

Yes. Use one exact version of your business name, address and phone number on your profile, your website, your social accounts and any directory listing. If your website says "Unit 4", Facebook says "Unit 4a" and an old directory says "Suite 4", people and search engines can't be sure it's the same business.

Don't add keywords to your name. Google's guidelines say unnecessary information in a business name isn't permitted and can get the profile suspended. "Harper Hair" is fine. "Harper Hair Best Cheap Hairdresser Woking" isn't.

Do photos help on Google Maps?

They help people choose you. Add real photos of your premises, your work and your team, including the front of the building so people recognise it from the street. Add a few more every month so the profile looks alive. Stock images do nothing for you.

How do I get more Google reviews?

Ask. After a good appointment or a finished job, ask the customer if they'd leave a review, and send them the direct link from your profile dashboard. Most happy customers are glad to. They don't think of it themselves.

Reply to every review, good and bad. A calm, thoughtful reply to a three-star review tells the next reader a lot about you.

Don't buy reviews, write them yourself or offer anything in return. Google's policies ban it, and since April 2025 fake reviews and undisclosed incentivised reviews are unlawful in the UK under the DMCC Act (CMA guidance).

Does my website affect my Google Maps ranking?

It helps. Your profile links to your website, and the two should say the same thing about who you are, what you do and where.

• Name your town in the words on the page, not only in the footer. "Physiotherapy in Guildford" connects you to Guildford searches.
• Match your profile exactly. Same address, same phone, same hours.
• Keep it fast. A slow site loses people before they call.

That's why I have plain local pages for Surrey and Woking. If people search for you and can't find you in the normal results either, the four usual causes are in why your Guildford business isn't showing up on Google.

What's a waste of time?

What's the short version?

1. Claim your Google Business Profile and fill in every field.
2. Choose the most specific category.
3. Use the same name, address and phone everywhere.
4. Add real photos, and keep adding them.
5. Ask every happy customer for a review, and reply to all of them.
6. Make sure your website names your town and matches your profile.

My £300 website includes setting up your Google Business Profile properly, alongside the site. If your current site is working against you, send it for a free website check, or tell me about your business.