How do local businesses get more Google reviews and rank on Google Maps?

Google says local results are ranked on three things: relevance, distance and prominence. You can’t change distance, but you can improve the other two. Complete and verify your Google Business Profile, keep hours and services accurate, add real photos, ask every customer for a review with a direct link, and reply to every review. Google states that reviews and replies help your visibility.

How do you ask for Google reviews?

Send a short text or email with your direct review link right after the job is done or the order arrives, when the customer is happiest. Ask everyone, not only the customers you expect to be pleased. A QR code at the counter helps for walk-in businesses.

Can you offer a discount for a review?

No. Google’s policies ban incentivized reviews, the FTC’s rule bans them in the US, and the UK’s DMCC Act has banned fake and hidden-incentive reviews since April 2025.

What else improves local ranking?

• The right primary category, plus accurate secondary categories.
• Your services listed with plain descriptions.
• Opening hours, including holiday hours.
• Photos of your premises, team and work, added regularly.
• Consistent business name, address and phone number across your website and directories.
• A website page for each service and area you cover.

How should you reply to a bad review?

Within a day, politely, with a fix. Thank them, own what went wrong, explain what you’ve changed and offer a direct contact. Future customers read the reply more closely than the complaint.

See our local business marketing page and reviews and reputation service.