Why you’re not showing up in the Maps “3-pack”
Before diving into the checklist, it’s vital to understand the playing field. Google states that local results are based primarily on three factors: Relevance, Distance, and Prominence.
- Relevance: Does your profile match what the user is searching for?
- Distance: How far is the searcher from your service area?
- Prominence: How well-known and trusted is your business? (This is where SEO comes in).
Official Source: Read Google’s full explanation of how to improve your local ranking.
Your job is to match the search, be in range, and look trusted.
Expert Warning: You cannot “pay” for a better organic ranking in the 3-Pack. Any agency promising this is lying. Google explicitly bans paying for better local ranking positions.
The 2026 Checklist (Print this)
A) Setup & Trust (Do this first)
1. Business name stays clean
Use your real-world trading name consistently everywhere (website, invoices, vehicle signage).
- ✅ Do: “Mersey Boiler Solutions Ltd”
- ❌ Don’t: “Mersey Boiler Solutions – Best Plumber Liverpool 24/7 cheap”
Why? Keyword stuffing your business name is the #1 reason for profile suspensions in the UK.
2. Choose the best primary category
Your categories affect what searches you can show up for. Pick the one category that best matches your main revenue source (e.g., Plumber vs Heating Engineer). Use secondary categories for everything else.
3. Address rules (Vital for SABs)
If you are a Service-Area Business (SAB)—meaning you go to customers and don’t serve them at your registered address—you must hide your address and show a service area instead.
⚠️ The “Virtual Office” Trap: Don’t try to “rent” a fake virtual office in Liverpool city centre just to rank. Google’s AI now uses street-view data to verify signage. If they don’t see your sign, they suspend the listing. Stick to your real address and hide it if necessary.
📹 PRO TIP: The “Video Verification” Survival Guide
In 2025, Google rarely sends postcards to tradesmen. They want Video Verification. If asked to record a video, do not panic. Follow this script to pass first time:
- Start Outside: Show your street sign and your house/office number.
- Unlock the Door: Show yourself using a key to unlock your van or office (proof of access).
- Show Tools of the Trade: Film your branded van, your tools, or your printed invoices.
- Keep it One Take: Do not edit the video. It must be one continuous shot (under 2 minutes).
4. Phone + website must match
Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is identical on your website footer and your Google profile.
B) Relevance: Make Google 100% sure what you do
This is how you win specific searches like “electrician liverpool” or “boiler repair anfield”.
5. Fill out your services properly
In your GBP dashboard, add every core service you want to rank for. Be specific: instead of just “Repairs,” use “Emergency Boiler Repair” or “Consumer Unit Upgrades.”
6. The “Products” Hack for Trades
Most tradesmen ignore the “Products” tab because they sell services. Don’t ignore it.
Google displays “Products” more prominently than “Services” on mobile devices. Create a “Product” for your main services (e.g., “New Roof Installation”) and add a photo. This takes up more screen real estate and increases clicks.
7. Add photos that prove you’re real
Stock photos hurt your trust. Upload real photos taken from your phone:
- Your van with branding visible.
- The team in uniform.
- Jobs in progress (authenticity wins in 2026).
- Licences/certs (Gas Safe, NICEIC).
8. Use Google Posts weekly
Think of these as free mini-ads. Post a “Job of the Week” photo. Google looks at post frequency as a signal that the business is active and alive.
C) Distance: Set expectations properly
9. Service areas (Don’t overreach)
If you are based in Bootle, you will rank easily in Bootle, Crosby, and North Liverpool. You will struggle to rank in Speke unless you have a dedicated page for it. In your Google Profile, select the specific areas you serve (Postcodes or Town names). Don’t select the whole UK.
10. Create location-relevant pages on your website
You need specific landing pages to help you rank in areas slightly further from your office.
- Create a dedicated “Liverpool” service page.
- Create an “Areas We Cover” page.
D) Prominence: Win with proof (Reviews & Mentions)
Prominence is basically: Does the internet trust you?
11. Reviews: A steady flow beats a “big push”
Google values recency and consistency. Getting 20 reviews in one day looks suspicious. Getting 1 review a week for a year looks professional.
🚨 LEGAL ALERT (2025 UK UPDATE): The UK CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) now has the power to fine businesses up to 10% of global turnover for fake reviews. This includes “gating” reviews (only asking happy customers) or offering incentives like discounts in exchange for 5 stars. Keep it clean. (Source: UK Gov Fake Review Rules).
Fast review request script (WhatsApp/SMS):
“Hi [Name] — thanks for choosing us. If you have 30 seconds, would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps locals find us: [INSERT YOUR LINK]. Thanks!”
12. Citations: Consistency is Key
Ensure your business is listed on major UK directories (Yell, Checkatrade, Trustpilot) with the exact same details as your Google Profile. If you are “Ltd” on Google, be “Ltd” on Yell.
13. Local links = Supercharged Rankings
For Liverpool trades, getting a link from a local source is powerful. Sponsor a local football team (get a link from their club site) or get featured in a local blog. These “hyper-local” links are worth 10x more than a generic directory link.
The “Liverpool Trades” Shortcut
If you only do 6 things this month:
- Category: Nail your primary category.
- Service Area: Set it realistically (hide address if SAB).
- Products Tab: Add your top services as “Products” for mobile visibility.
- Photos: Upload 5 real photos of recent work.
- Reviews: Start a habit of asking every happy customer (no bribes!).
- Website: Ensure your homepage title tag says “[Trade] in Liverpool”.
Free Google Business Profile Audit (Liverpool Trades)
Want me to check why you’re not showing in Maps?
My Free GBP Audit includes:
- Category + service optimisation check.
- Competitor comparison (Who is beating you in Liverpool and why?).
- Review analysis & “Quick-Win” plan.
Reply below with:
- Your Business Name
- Your Main Trade
- The areas you want more work in.