How to Get Listed and Rank for Multiple Service Areas on Google My Business Map Listings: Insights from One Sky Media Webmasters

At One Sky Media Webmasters, we’re often asked how businesses can effectively use Google My Business (GMB) to expand their presence and visibility across multiple service areas. The truth is that being listed on GMB is only the first step—appearing prominently in numerous service areas requires strategy, consistency, and an understanding of Google’s ranking factors.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what you need to know and the top five most important factors to dominate Google My Business Map listings for multiple service areas.

Why Google My Business Matters

Google My Business is a cornerstone of local SEO. It allows businesses to showcase their services, hours, and location to potential customers searching on Google Search and Maps. For businesses that serve multiple cities or towns, optimizing your GMB profile and adhering to Google’s best practices can dramatically improve your visibility and customer acquisition.

The Top 5 Factors for Ranking in Multiple Service Areas

1. Accurate and Consistent Business Information

The foundation of any successful GMB strategy is accurate and consistent business information. This includes:

• Business Name: Ensure your name matches your branding and is consistent across platforms.
• Address: Your primary address must be correct, even if serving multiple locations.
• Phone Number: Use a local number that corresponds to your service area.
• Category: Select the most appropriate primary category and consider secondary categories to cover your services.

Google relies on consistency to determine legitimacy, so double-check that your information is uniform across your website, social media, and local directories.

2. Service Area Optimization

If your business serves multiple locations but doesn’t operate physical storefronts in each area, you’ll need to define your service areas effectively in your GMB profile. Here’s how:

• Specify Service Areas: Use cities, zip codes, or neighborhoods to outline the areas you serve clearly.
• Avoid Overlapping Areas: While it’s okay for service areas to touch, having redundant or unclear service zones can confuse Google’s algorithm.
• Update Regularly: If you expand into new areas, update your GMB listing to reflect this.

A well-defined service area ensures your business appears for relevant local searches.

3. Location-Based Content

Your website must provide strong location-based content that aligns with your GMB listing to rank in multiple service areas. This includes:

• Dedicated Landing Pages: Create separate pages for each service area, optimizing each with local keywords (e.g., “Tree Trimming in Upper Merion, PA”).
• Localized Blog Posts: Write about topics that resonate with residents in specific areas you serve.
• Schema Markup: Use Local Business schema to signal to Google which areas you serve.

Remember, the stronger your website content is for a location, the more likely your GMB listing will rank in that area.

4. Reviews and Ratings

Customer reviews are one of the most influential factors in GMB rankings. The more positive reviews you have, the more likely you rank well across multiple service areas. Here’s how to encourage reviews:

• Ask for Reviews: After completing a service, ask satisfied customers to leave a review on your GMB listing.
• Respond to Reviews: Show appreciation for positive reviews and address any negative feedback professionally.
• Mention Locations: When possible, encourage customers to mention their location in their reviews (e.g., “Great service in Radnor, PA”).

This boosts your credibility and reinforces your presence in specific areas.

5. Regular Updates and Engagement

Google rewards businesses that actively manage their GMB profiles. Consistent engagement signals to Google that your business is active and reliable. Best practices include:

• Add Photos: Regularly upload high-quality images of your work, team, or facilities.
• Post Updates: Use the “Posts” feature to share news, promotions, or blog articles.
• Answer Questions: Monitor and respond to questions in the Q&A section of your GMB profile.
• Update Hours and Services: Ensure your information is always current.

Engaging with your profile consistently will boost your visibility across all service areas.

Bonus Tips for Success

• Use Local Citations: Ensure your business is listed on local directories like Yelp and Angie’s List with consistent information.
• Mobile Optimization: Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as many local searches happen on mobile devices.
• Leverage Social Media: Share location-specific posts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to drive local traffic.
• Build Local Links: Partner with other businesses or organizations in your service areas to earn backlinks to your site.

The One Sky Media Approach

At One Sky Media Webmasters, we specialize in helping businesses optimize their Google My Business profiles and websites for maximum visibility. Our tailored approach ensures your business appears in the map pack for multiple service areas, driving more traffic, leads, and revenue.

We’ll work with you to:

• Conduct a comprehensive GMB audit.
• Create or optimize service area pages on your website.
• Implement structured data and local SEO best practices.
• Develop a review-generation strategy.
• Monitor and update your GMB profile regularly.

Final Thoughts

Ranking for multiple service areas on Google My Business Map listings takes effort, strategy, and consistency. Your business can dominate the local search landscape by focusing on accurate information, well-defined service areas, localized content, strong reviews, and regular engagement.

Let One Sky Media Webmasters help you reach your local SEO goals and grow your business. Contact us today to get started!