Mobile phones have changed everything. Searching Google, how people get things done and now local SEO.
And local businesses have a big advantage, too! Nearly 60% of all Google searches have local business focus.
It’s now a lot easier for you to simply pull out your smartphone, open the Google app, and speak your search query. And for searches with a local “intent”, Google will include the local search results even if you don’t specifically mention a local city.
For your local business, mobile is critically important for generating local business traffic. But only the top 3 local search results in Google will be given on both mobile phones and desktop searches. So what can you do to give your business a better chance at this coveted placement in Google?
Getting a better Google Maps ranking is becoming the #1 objective for local and small businesses.

How To Get Better Rankings in Google Maps

1)  Build your local business citations (NAP) in specific business directories. A business directory is an online list of businesses within a particular niche, location, or category. One way local businesses can get found by online searchers is through inclusion in business directories. See the list here: The Ultimate List: 57 Online Local Business Directories.

A citation is a record of your NAP – your business name, address, phone number, and website URL. Google uses citations as a way to validate your business location. Use your targeted keyword phrase in the description of your Google Maps business listing. Make sure your primary category is the most relevant category for your business. Include your business category in your title.
For example, if you are a landscape lighting company, then include the phrase “landscape lighting” in the title of your Google business page. Google refers to these elements as modifiers in the title. You must be careful not to overuse/abuse the use of modifiers, which means do not stuff your title with keyword phrases.
2) Verify Your Google Business Page. Visit this link to get started with adding your business to Google Maps.

3) Here are some quick video tutorials on adding or claiming your business in Google Maps.

How to Add or Claim Your Business on Google
How To Verify Your Business on Google
4)  When optimizing the titles of your Google business pages always include the business name, business category, and the name of the targeted metro area. For example, if you are a landscape lighting company, then include the phrase “landscape lighting” in the title of your Google business page. Google refers to these elements as modifiers in the title.
5)  Use your targeted keyword phrase in the description of your Google Maps business listing.
6)  Make sure your primary category is the most relevant category for your business. Another way to know the best category to select is to look at the current top-ranked businesses in Google Maps. For example, search your targeted keyword phrase in Google (i.e. ‘landscape lighting west palm beach’ as an example), look at the landscape lighting companies that are ranked letters A, B, and C, and then identify the category they are using.
7)  Use schema language and your business NAP on your website. Your business NAP is basically an acronym for your business name, address, and phone number.
8)  The NAP of your business also references citations. Citations are references to your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) that are published on external websites and directories. Google uses citations to determine the accuracy and relevance of your business information.
See the list of top local business directories =>The Ultimate List: 57 Online Local Business Directories
9)  What is Schema language? It’s a structural protocol adopted by Google, Yahoo, & Bing to make it easier to determine certain datasets within web pages. Direct data such as your NAP is particularly relevant when it comes to local SEO. 
There are many other Schema or direct data sets that can also be leveraged in your web pages depending on your type of business. Schema language or direct datasets dramatically enhance the authority of your web pages within your local market – a key strategy to understand.

• Here is a schema plugin that will get the job done for you: Markup (JSON-LD) structured in schema.org
• Keywords in your Google Business Page Title

Google Maps 3-Pack Service

Getting your business to rank in the top three local search results requires a concerted local SEO effort on your part.
It is also important to remember that no one can guarantee a top ranking on Google or Google Maps. It depends on various factors, including your website, keywords, and your biggest friend, persistence.
If you don’t have the time or expertise, you can take advantage of my Google Maps 3-Pack service:
Includes Google My Business setup & verification, optimizing Google My Business pages per above, listings/citations in all of the relevant business directories, Schema plugin setup; one post and CPA on GMB (posts expire every 7 days). Reports and updates.
$250/mo. minimum of 4 months.