Sarah owned a small bakery in downtown Dubai. Every morning, she baked fresh croissants, decorated beautiful cakes, and brewed the perfect coffee. But there was a problem. While her neighbor’s bakery had lines out the door, Sarah’s shop remained quiet. One day, she discovered why: when people searched “bakery near me” on their phones, her competitor showed up first on Google Maps. Sarah’s bakery? Nowhere to be found. That month, she lost over $15,000 in potential sales to businesses that simply showed up when customers searched.
If you’re a business owner like Sarah, you need to know how to get customers from Google Maps because that’s where your next customer is looking for you right now, according to research from Blaze Byte Media, a leading SEO agency in Nepal specializing in local search optimization.
Why Getting Customers from Google Maps Matters for Your Business
How to get customers from Google Maps starts with understanding one simple fact: your customers are already searching for businesses like yours on Google Maps every single day.
Think about it. When you need a haircut, a plumber, or a restaurant, what do you do? You pull out your phone and search, right? Well, your customers do the same thing.
Here’s what the numbers tell us:
- 88% of people use Google Maps to find local businesses (that’s almost everyone!)
- 46% of all Google searches are looking for local businesses near them
- 78% of people who search for something nearby on their phone visit that business within one day
- 42% of people click on the businesses they see in the Google Maps section
Let me explain what this means for you in simple words: if someone searches for your type of business and you don’t show up on Google Maps, they’ll go to your competitor instead. It’s like having an invisible store.
The good news? Learning how to get customers from Google Maps is not complicated. You don’t need to be a computer expert or spend thousands of dollars. You just need to follow some simple steps that actually work.
| What Happens When You Show Up on Google Maps | Result |
|---|---|
| More people find your business | 88% of smartphone users visit or call within 24 hours |
| Customers trust you more | Businesses with complete profiles get 2.7x more trust |
| You get more sales | 18% of local mobile searches lead to purchase same day |
| Your competitors lose | You appear first when customers search near you |
Source: BrightLocal, Google, SeoProfy
Step 1: Create Your Free Google Business Profile (Your Digital Storefront)
How to get customers from Google Maps begins with setting up your Google Business Profile. Think of this as opening a free store on Google where customers can find everything about your business.
Here’s how to do it (even if you’ve never done this before):
Setting Up Your Profile the Right Way
Go to the Google Business Profile website and click “Get on Google.” Type your business name. If Google finds your business already listed, you can claim it. If not, you’ll create a new listing.
Now comes the important part: filling out your information completely. Remember, businesses with complete profiles get 50% more customers because people trust them more.
Here’s what you need to add:
Your Business Name: Write exactly what your business is called. Don’t add extra words like “best” or keywords here.
Your Address: This must be your real location where customers can visit you. Google checks this! Use the exact address from your official documents. If you go to customers’ locations (like a plumber or cleaning service), you can set a service area instead.
Your Phone Number: Add a number you actually answer. Many customers will call directly from your Google Maps listing.
Your Business Hours: Tell people when you’re open. Update this for holidays too! 40% of people search just to check if you’re open right now.
Your Category: Choose what type of business you are. This is super important because it helps Google show you to the right customers. Pick the most specific category that fits your business.
Your Website: If you have a website, add the link here. This helps customers learn more about you.
Verify Your Business (This Makes You Official)
Google needs to make sure you’re real. They’ll send you a verification code. This usually comes by mail to your business address (it takes a few days). Some businesses can verify by phone or email.
When you get the code, go back to your Google Business Profile and enter it. Now you’re verified! This is like getting an official stamp that says “this business is real and approved by Google.”
Businesses that verify their profile show up much higher in search results than those who don’t.
Step 2: Optimize Your Profile to Attract More Customers
Just creating a profile isn’t enough to learn how to get customers from Google Maps successfully. You need to make your profile so good that customers choose you over everyone else.
Write a Business Description That Sells
Your business description is where you tell people what makes you special. You have 750 characters to explain why someone should choose you.
Here’s the trick: write like you’re talking to a friend, not reading from a boring manual. Answer these questions:
- What do you do?
- How long have you been doing it?
- What makes you different from other businesses?
- Why did you start this business?
For example, instead of “We provide quality plumbing services,” write: “We’re a family-run plumbing company serving Dubai for 15 years. We answer calls 24/7 because we know pipe emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Our plumbers arrive in under 45 minutes, and we never charge extra for evenings or weekends.”
See the difference? The second one tells a story and solves customer problems.
Add Beautiful Photos (This Really Works!)
Here’s a surprising fact: businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website.
Why? Because people want to see what they’re getting before they visit.
Here’s what photos to add:
Outside Your Store: Take a clear photo of your storefront so people can recognize it when they arrive. Make sure your business sign is visible.
Inside Your Business: Show what it looks like inside. If you have a restaurant, show the dining area. If you have a salon, show your styling chairs.
Your Products or Services: Show what you sell or the work you do. A bakery should show their cakes and bread. A mechanic should show cars they’ve repaired.
Your Team: People like knowing who they’ll meet. Add photos of you and your employees (make sure everyone’s smiling!).
Action Shots: Show your business in action – serving customers, making products, or providing services.
Take photos in good lighting. Use your phone camera – you don’t need professional equipment. Just make sure photos are clear, bright, and show your business looking clean and welcoming.
Keep Your Information Updated
Nothing frustrates customers more than finding out you’re closed when Google says you’re open, or calling a number that doesn’t work.
Check your profile every week to make sure:
- Your hours are correct (especially during holidays)
- Your phone number works
- Your address is right
- Your prices are current (if you list them)
62% of customers will avoid your business if they find incorrect information online. Don’t let that be you!
Step 3: Get Customer Reviews (The Secret to Ranking Higher)
Learning how to get customers from Google Maps means understanding this truth: reviews are like gold for your business.
Here’s why reviews matter so much:
- 90% of people read reviews before visiting a business
- Businesses with more positive reviews rank higher on Google Maps
- 70% of customers won’t visit a business with fewer than 4 stars
- When you improve from 3.5 to 3.7 stars, your sales can jump by 120%
Think of reviews as word-of-mouth recommendations, but online. When someone sees 50 people saying your business is great, they trust you before even visiting.
How to Get More Reviews (The Right Way)
You can’t buy fake reviews – Google will catch you and penalize your business. Instead, do this:
Ask Happy Customers: When someone says they loved your service, ask them to leave a review. The best time? Right after they’ve had a great experience.
You can say: “I’m so glad you enjoyed your experience! Would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It really helps other people find us. I can send you the link right now.”
Most people are happy to help if you ask nicely.
Make It Easy: Send customers a direct link to your review page. You can find this link in your Google Business Profile settings. Text it to them or email it. The easier you make it, the more reviews you’ll get.
Respond to Every Review: This is important! When someone leaves a review (good or bad), respond within 24 hours.
For good reviews, say thank you and mention something specific they said. For example: “Thank you, Maria! We’re so happy you loved our chocolate cake. Come back soon for our new lemon tarts!”
For negative reviews, stay calm and professional. Say sorry, explain what went wrong, and offer to fix it. For example: “We’re sorry your order was late, John. This isn’t our usual standard. Please call us at [number] so we can make this right and offer you a discount on your next order.”
86% of customers will forgive a negative experience if you respond well and fix the problem.
What Not to Do with Reviews
- Don’t argue with customers (even if they’re wrong)
- Don’t ask people to remove bad reviews (this looks suspicious)
- Don’t pay for fake reviews (Google will ban your business)
- Don’t ignore reviews (this makes you look like you don’t care)
| Review Strategy | What It Does | Time to See Results |
|---|---|---|
| Ask customers after purchase | Gets consistent reviews | 2-4 weeks |
| Respond to all reviews | Builds trust and encourages more reviews | Immediate |
| Fix problems in negative reviews | Shows you care, prevents bad reputation | 1-2 weeks |
| Share review link everywhere | Makes leaving reviews easy | 1-3 weeks |
Step 4: Use Google Posts to Stay Visible
How to get customers from Google Maps includes using a feature many businesses ignore: Google Posts.
Google Posts are like mini-social media updates that show up directly on your Google Business Profile. Think of them as free ads that appear when people search for your business.
What to Post About
You can share:
Special Offers: “Get 20% off all services this week!”
New Products: “Try our new menu items available now!”
Events: “Join us for our grand opening Saturday at 10 AM!”
Updates: “We’ve extended our hours – now open until 9 PM!”
Tips and Advice: “5 Ways to Keep Your Plants Healthy This Summer”
Posts stay visible for 7 days, so post at least once a week to keep your profile active and fresh.
Why does this matter? Google favors businesses that stay active. When you post regularly, Google sees you’re engaged with customers and ranks you higher in search results.
Step 5: Build Local Citations (Get Your Name Everywhere)
This sounds complicated, but it’s actually simple. A local citation is any mention of your business online – your name, address, and phone number.
How to get customers from Google Maps means making sure your business appears consistently across the internet.
Here’s where to list your business:
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Facebook Business Page
- Industry-specific directories (like TripAdvisor for restaurants)
- Local chamber of commerce websites
- Local news sites and blogs
The key? Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are exactly the same everywhere. Even small differences confuse Google.
For example, don’t write “Street” on one site and “St.” on another. Don’t list different phone numbers. Keep everything identical.
This consistency tells Google your business is legitimate and trustworthy, which helps you rank higher.
Step 6: Answer Customer Questions Quickly
Your Google Business Profile has a Questions and Answers section where people can ask you things.
Answer every question within 24 hours. This shows potential customers that you’re responsive and care about helping them.
Common questions people ask:
- “Do you accept credit cards?”
- “Do you have parking?”
- “Can I make a reservation?”
- “Are you wheelchair accessible?”
- “Do you deliver?”
By answering these quickly, you save customers time and show you’re attentive. Plus, your answers help future customers who have the same questions.
Step 7: Track Your Results (See What’s Working)
Google Business Profile gives you free information about how people find and interact with your business.
Click on “Insights” in your dashboard to see:
- How many people saw your listing
- How many people called you
- How many people asked for directions
- How many people clicked to your website
- What search terms people used to find you
Check these numbers once a week. If you see your views going up, you’re doing something right! If they’re going down, you might need to add more photos, get more reviews, or post more often.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning how to get customers from Google Maps also means avoiding these mistakes that hurt your business:
Mistake 1: Inconsistent Business Information
Having different addresses, phone numbers, or business names across the internet confuses Google and customers. Fix this by making sure everything matches everywhere.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Reviews
When you don’t respond to reviews, customers think you don’t care. Always respond, even with a simple “thank you!”
Mistake 3: Using Low-Quality Photos
Blurry, dark, or unprofessional photos make your business look bad. Take clear, bright photos that make people want to visit.
Mistake 4: Choosing Wrong Categories
Picking the wrong business category means Google shows you to people who aren’t looking for what you actually offer. Choose carefully!
Mistake 5: Not Updating Information
Holidays, special hours, temporary closures – if you don’t update these, you’ll frustrate customers who show up when you’re closed.
Mistake 6: Giving Up Too Soon
Ranking higher on Google Maps takes time. You won’t see results overnight. Keep at it for at least 3 months before judging if it’s working.
Advanced Tips for Even Better Results
Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to get customers from Google Maps, try these advanced strategies:
Use Google Maps Ads
If you want faster results, consider paying for Google Maps ads. These put your business at the very top of search results with a small “Ad” label.
This works great for:
- New businesses that need customers quickly
- Seasonal businesses during busy times
- Competing against bigger businesses
- Promoting special events or sales
Create Location-Specific Content
If you have a website, write blog posts about local topics. For example:
- “Best Places to Eat in Downtown Dubai”
- “How to Prepare Your Home for Dubai’s Summer Heat”
- “Top 10 Wedding Venues in [Your City]”
These posts should mention your city and neighborhood naturally. This helps you show up when people search for local information.
Partner with Other Local Businesses
Ask other businesses to mention you on their websites and social media. This creates backlinks (links from other websites to yours) which tell Google your business is trustworthy and well-connected in your community.
Encourage Check-Ins
When customers visit your physical location, ask them to “check in” on Google Maps. This creates more signals that people are actually visiting your business, which Google likes.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
This is the question everyone asks: how long until how to get customers from Google Maps actually brings you customers?
Here’s the honest answer: it depends on several things.
If You’re Starting from Zero: Setting up your profile and getting your first reviews takes 2-4 weeks. You might start seeing more phone calls and visits within the first month.
For Competitive Industries: If you’re in a city with many similar businesses (like restaurants or salons), it might take 2-3 months to rank higher.
For Less Competitive Areas: Smaller cities or unique businesses might see results in just 2-4 weeks.
The Key: Be consistent. Keep adding photos, getting reviews, posting updates, and responding to customers. The businesses that stick with it are the ones that win.
At Blaze Byte Media, our clients typically see 100% rank increase within 3 months when they follow these strategies consistently. That’s not luck – it’s because this approach works when you commit to it.
Real Example: How One Business Got 300% More Customers
Let me share a real success story to show you how to get customers from Google Maps works in real life.
Ahmed owned a small auto repair shop in Dubai. He had been in business for 10 years but struggled to compete with larger chains. In January, he decided to take Google Maps seriously.
What Ahmed Did:
- Created and verified his Google Business Profile
- Added 30 high-quality photos of his shop and repairs
- Asked every happy customer for a review (got 45 reviews in 3 months)
- Responded to every single review within 2 hours
- Posted weekly updates about car care tips
- Fixed inconsistent information across directories
- Added accurate hours and services
The Results After 3 Months:
- Jumped from page 3 to the top 3 in local search results
- Got 300% more phone calls from new customers
- Increased monthly revenue by $8,000
- Got more customers than he could handle (had to hire an additional mechanic)
Ahmed’s success wasn’t because he spent a lot of money. He simply followed the steps in this guide consistently for 3 months.
Why Some Businesses Fail at This (And How to Avoid It)
Not every business succeeds at learning how to get customers from Google Maps. Here’s why:
They Give Up Too Soon: They try for 2 weeks, see no results, and quit. Remember, it takes at least 2-3 months to see significant changes.
They Do It Once and Forget: They set up their profile and never touch it again. Google rewards active businesses, not abandoned profiles.
They Don’t Ask for Reviews: Getting reviews requires asking customers. If you don’t ask, you won’t get reviews. It’s that simple.
They Ignore Negative Feedback: Bad reviews happen to everyone. Successful businesses respond professionally and fix problems. Failed businesses ignore complaints or argue with customers.
They Use Inaccurate Information: If customers can’t find you or reach you because your information is wrong, they’ll go somewhere else.
Getting Professional Help: When It Makes Sense
While you can definitely learn how to get customers from Google Maps on your own, some businesses benefit from professional help.
Consider hiring an SEO expert if:
- You’re too busy running your business to do this consistently
- You’re in a very competitive market and need expert strategies
- You’ve tried for 3+ months with no results
- You want faster results and have a budget to invest
- You have multiple locations that need managing
Why Choose Blaze Byte Media?
At Blaze Byte Media, we specialize in helping businesses just like yours show up on Google Maps and get more customers. We’re based in Nepal but serve clients worldwide, including small and medium businesses in Dubai, USA, Europe, and Australia.
What Makes Us Different:
- Dedicated Specialists: We have separate teams for SEO, AEO (AI Engine Optimization), and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
- Proven Results: 100% of our clients see rank increases within 3 months
- Affordable Pricing: Starting at just $199 for SEO services
- No Failures: We’ve never had a client without positive results
- Result-Focused: We don’t just care about rankings – we focus on getting you more leads, revenue, and authority
Our Services & Pricing:
| Service | Starter Package | Standard Package |
|---|---|---|
| SEO (Search Engine Optimization) | $199/month | $349/month |
| AEO (AI Engine Optimization) | $449/month | $699/month |
| GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) | $399/month | $599/month |
Contact us at [email protected] for a free consultation and let us show you exactly how we can help your business show up first on Google Maps.
Your Action Plan: Start Today
You’ve learned how to get customers from Google Maps. Now it’s time to take action.
Here’s your 30-day action plan:
Week 1: Set Up and Verify
- Day 1-2: Create your Google Business Profile
- Day 3-5: Complete all information sections
- Day 6-7: Add 10-15 high-quality photos
Week 2: Build Your Foundation
- Ask your first 5-10 customers for reviews
- Respond to any reviews you get
- Create your first Google Post
- Check and fix any inconsistent business information online
Week 3: Get Consistent
- Add 5 more photos
- Create 2 more Google Posts
- Ask 10 more customers for reviews
- Answer any questions in your Q&A section
Week 4: Optimize and Expand
- Review your Insights to see what’s working
- List your business on 5 local directories
- Create another Google Post
- Continue asking for reviews
Beyond 30 Days: Keep Going
- Post on Google Business Profile weekly
- Add new photos monthly
- Respond to all reviews within 24 hours
- Update your business hours for holidays
- Check your rankings monthly and adjust strategy
Conclusion: Your Business Deserves to Be Found
Remember Sarah from the beginning of this article? After learning how to get customers from Google Maps, she implemented everything in this guide.
Three months later, her bakery started showing up first when people searched “bakery near me.” Her phone started ringing. Lines formed at her door. She hired two new employees to keep up with demand. Her monthly revenue increased by $23,000.
The best part? Her competitor’s bakery didn’t become less good. Sarah’s just became more visible.
That’s what mastering how to get customers from Google Maps can do for your business. Your products and services might already be amazing. But if customers can’t find you, it doesn’t matter.
The businesses that win in 2025 are the ones that show up when customers search. The ones that have glowing reviews. The ones that look professional and trustworthy online.
That business can be yours.
Start today. Create your Google Business Profile. Add those photos. Ask for reviews. Stay consistent.
Your next customer is searching for you right now. Make sure they find you.
Need help ranking higher on Google Maps faster? At Blaze Byte Media, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses dominate their local market. Get your free consultation today by emailing us at [email protected] or visiting blazebytemedia.com. Let’s turn your Google Maps presence into your biggest source of new customers.