[ Getting customers ]
How to get more calls from Google Maps
By REM Strategic Services · Updated
[ Quick answer ]
Start with a verified Google Business Profile that has the right primary category, accurate hours and service areas, and the same name, address, and phone number everywhere. Then earn reviews from real customers, reply to them, and link to a phone-first website with tap-to-call. Google says local results depend on proximity, relevance, and prominence, so no one can promise you the top spot. Our profile setup is $199, or free with any new website.
How Google decides who shows up
Google says local results are based mainly on three things: proximity, relevance, and prominence.
You can't change where the searcher is standing. You can make your profile more relevant and more complete, and you can build prominence over time with reviews and an active presence.
| Factor | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity | How close you are to the person searching | Set accurate service areas. You can't control where they search from. |
| Relevance | How well your profile matches what they searched | Pick the right primary category. Fill in services and a clear description. |
| Prominence | How well known and trusted your business is | Earn real reviews, reply to them, and keep your listings consistent. |
No one honest can promise #1 on Google Maps. Google warns business owners about anyone who does.
Get your Google Business Profile right
Your profile is what people see before they call. Most of the work here is getting the basics accurate and complete.
- Verify the profile. Unverified profiles are limited.
- Choose the most accurate primary category for what you do.
- Use your real business name. Adding keywords to the name is against Google's guidelines.
- Set your service areas and hours, including holiday hours.
- Add real photos of your work, your team, and your vehicles.
- Post updates now and then, like a recent job or a seasonal offer.
Keep your name, address, and phone the same everywhere
Your business name, address, and phone number should match on your Google profile, your website, and other listings. Mismatched details make it harder for Google and for customers to trust what they see.
If you've moved or changed numbers, update the old listings. It's tedious, but it matters.
Earn reviews the right way
Reviews from real customers help people decide to call you. Asking for a review is fine. Make it easy: send a direct link after the job is done.
Reply to reviews, good and bad. A calm, helpful reply to a bad review can matter as much as the review itself.
- Do ask every happy customer for a review.
- Don't buy reviews.
- Don't offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews.
- Don't only ask customers you think will leave good ones.
Send people to a phone-first website, and measure calls
Many people check your website before they call. It should load fast on a phone, show your number at the top, and have tap-to-call on every page. The details should match your profile.
Use call tracking so you know which calls came from Google Maps. Without it, you're guessing.
When a call or form comes in, answer fast. If you miss calls, automatic follow-up by text and email helps you reach the lead before they call someone else.
What REM charges for this
Google Business Profile setup or cleanup is $199 on its own, and free with any new website. Local SEO is $399 a month: your Google profile, listings, and a monthly report on calls and clicks. It's not a ranking promise.
Lead follow-up is $149 a month. Every new lead gets a text and email within minutes. Grow is $799 a month for one ads channel, local SEO, and lead follow-up. Monthly work stops with 14 days' written notice.
[ Prices ]
What REM charges for Google Maps and local work
- Google Business Profile setup or cleanup$199Free with any new website.
- Local SEO (profile, listings, monthly report on calls and clicks)$399 a monthNot a ranking promise.
- Lead follow-up (text and email within minutes)$149 a month
- Grow: one ads channel + local SEO + lead follow-up$799 a month$997 bought apart.
- Starter website (up to 5 pages, phone-first, tap-to-call)$999Includes Google Business Profile setup and 60 days of local SEO.
[ Common questions ]
Questions owners ask
- Can you get me to #1 on Google Maps?
- We won't promise it, and Google warns owners about anyone who does. Results depend on proximity, relevance, and prominence. We work on the parts you can control and report on calls and clicks.
- Should I put keywords in my business name on Google?
- No. Use your real business name. Adding keywords to it is against Google's guidelines.
- Is it okay to ask customers for reviews?
- Yes. Ask every customer. Don't buy reviews, don't offer anything in exchange, and don't only ask the ones you expect to be happy.
- Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
- It helps. Many people check your site before they call. A fast, phone-first site with tap-to-call that matches your profile makes calling you easy.
- How do I know if Google Maps is sending me calls?
- Use call tracking. Our local SEO includes a monthly report on calls and clicks so you can see what's coming in.
[ Want it done for you ]
Start with a website that brings in calls.
Starter website for $999 — half now, half when it goes live. You own it. Starting from zero? Launch adds the Florida LLC.
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