5 Proven Strategies to Dominate Local Search with Google My Business

Google My Business

In today’s digital landscape, ranking high in local search results can make or break your business. If you want more Canadian customers to walk through your door or contact your service, Google My Business (GMB) is your secret weapon. With over 5 billion searches per day on Google, it’s essential your business gets discovered right when people are looking for your services.

Whether you’re a restaurant in Toronto, a plumber in Vancouver, or a digital agency in Calgary, leveraging Google Business Profile (formerly GMB) can significantly boost your local presence. Let’s dive into 5 proven strategies to dominate local search results using your Google My Business listing.

1. Fully Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

The foundation of local SEO starts with an optimized GMB profile. A half-completed or outdated profile won’t rank competitively in local search results.

Key Steps for Optimization

  • Accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)
  • Add high-quality business photos regularly
  • Include relevant business categories
  • Write a compelling business description with local keywords
  • List your opening hours (include holidays and special hours)

Pro Tip

Use local schema markup on your website that aligns with your GMB details. Consistency across platforms boosts your authority in Google’s eyes.

Encourage and Manage Customer Reviews

Online reviews are one of the top local ranking factors. Not only do they build trust, but they also signal to Google that your business is active and reputable.

How to Get More Reviews?

  • Ask happy customers to leave a review after service
  • Add a review request link in your emails
  • Run a follow-up SMS campaign

Best Practices for Review Management

  • Respond to every review, good or bad
  • Use location-based keywords in your replies
  • Highlight services or products in your responses

3. Post Regularly on Your Google My Business Listing

Many businesses don’t realize that GMB lets you share posts, similar to social media. Google rewards businesses that keep their listings active.

What to Post on Google My Business?

  • Promotions or limited-time offers
  • Product or service highlights
  • Event announcements or community involvement
  • Blog snippets with CTAs linking back to your site

Bonus SEO Tip

Use local city names and service keywords in your posts. For example: “New website launch services in Ottawa now available!”

4. Use GMB Insights to Make Data-Driven Decisions

Google My Business Insights provides valuable metrics that show how customers find and interact with your listing.

Metrics to Monitor

  • Total search views (Direct vs. Discovery)
  • Calls and website clicks
  • Photo views and post engagement

Improve Based on Data

If you notice more users find you through discovery searches, improve your keyword strategy. If photo views are low, update your images with better quality and keyword-rich filenames.

5. Build High-Quality Local Citations and Backlinks

GMB optimization is more effective when supported by a solid off-page SEO strategy. This includes local citations (mentions of your business name and address on other websites) and backlinks from relevant Canadian websites.

Where to Get Local Citations?

Build Local Authority with Backlinks

  • Guest post on local blogs
  • Partner with other Canadian businesses
  • Submit press releases to local news outlets

Helpful Resource: Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to Local SEO offers excellent foundational knowledge to support your GMB strategy.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Local Visibility

With more Canadians turning to Google to find nearby services, mastering your Google My Business profile is no longer optional—it’s essential. From optimization to engagement, these five strategies can help you stand out from the competition and dominate local search.

If you need expert help, QVM Digital Marketing is here to take your local SEO to the next level. With our in-depth understanding of Canada’s digital landscape, we’ll help your business shine online.

Get ready to say “look what we did” instead of “what if.”

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