Relevance
- Pick the primary category that describes your main service. Add secondary ones only for work you really do.
- Fill in services, service areas, hours and a description in customers' words.
- Make your website say the same things, with a page for each main service.
Prominence
- Reviews: how many, how recent, and whether you reply.
- Mentions and links from local sites: the chamber of commerce, a supplier, the local paper.
- Consistent details on other listings.
Distance, and checking your ranking honestly
Where the searcher stands matters a lot, so searching from your own shop tells you little. Geo-grid tools check your position from many points around your area, and your profile's Performance view shows the searches that led people to you.
What not to do
- Keywords in the business name. It can work briefly, and it's a common reason for suspension.
- Fake reviews, or fake addresses in towns you want to show up in.
Questions
How do I get into the Google 3-pack?
The same way: relevance and prominence, and being close enough to the searcher. Nobody can place you there.
How long does it take to move up on Google Maps?
Profile changes show quickly. Movement in position depends on your competition and isn't predictable.
Do Google Business Profile posts help ranking?
Google hasn't said they do. They help the people looking at your listing.