If you’re a Nigerian business owner and you’re not showing up on Google Maps, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to get more customers. Whether you own a salon in Lekki, a restaurant in Abuja, a supermarket in Enugu, or a printing shop in Ibadan, ranking on Google Maps in Nigeria can increase your visibility and attract real customers near you.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to rank #1 on Google Maps in Nigeria using local SEO, even if you’re just starting out.
Google Maps ranking means how high your business appears when people search on Google or Google Maps for services near their location.
For example:
“Bakery in Surulere”
“Tech repair shop near Ikeja”
“Best fashion designer in Port Harcourt”
If your business is properly listed and optimized, it will show up at the top of Google Maps, even before normal websites. That’s powerful!
People search locally: 80% of Nigerians with smartphones search for nearby businesses every week.
You gain trust: A verified Google Maps listing builds trust, especially with reviews and photos.
You get free traffic: It’s free marketing from Google. No ads needed.
1. Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile
Visit 👉 www.google.com/business
Search your business name. If it already exists, claim it.
If it doesn’t exist, click “Add Your Business to Google.”
Fill in:
Business Name
Business Category (e.g., “Restaurant”, “Beauty Salon”, “Printing Shop”)
Address
Phone Number
Website (if you have one)
Opening Hours
Use a real physical address. Even if you work from home, use an address where you can receive the Google verification postcard.
2. Verify Your Business with Google
Google will send you a verification code by postcard to your business address. This can take 7–14 days in Nigeria.
Once you get it:
Log in to your Google Business Profile
Enter the code to verify your listing
After verification, your business will go live on Google Maps!
3. Complete Your Profile 100%
Don’t leave your profile half-done. Google rewards complete listings.
Here’s what to add:
High-quality logo and business photos
Services or products offered
Description of your business (use keywords like “Barbing salon in Asaba”)
Opening hours
Service areas
Booking links (if available)
Use local keywords in your description:
EG: “We are a laundry company in Owerri helping residents get clean clothes fast.”
4. Get Real Reviews from Nigerian Customers
Google reviews are the most powerful ranking factor.
Ask your happy customers to:
Search your business name
Click “Write a review”
Share their honest experience
Tip: Send a WhatsApp message like:
EG: “Hi [Customer Name], please help us grow by leaving a quick Google review: [Insert Google review link]”
More reviews = Higher ranking
5. Use Local Keywords on Your Website & Blog
If you have a website (e.g. your Pulseford profile, agency page, or business site), use local SEO keywords.
Examples:
“Affordable Printing Shop in Ikoyi”
“Top Makeup Artist in Ilorin”
“Best Catering Service in Jos”
Blog about:
“How to Find a Reliable Plumber in Lagos”
“Best Event Decorators in Enugu – 2025 Guide”
Google connects your site + map listing for better ranking.
6. Build Nigerian Backlinks (Local Citations)
Backlinks are links to your site from other platforms.
Start with:
VConnect
BusinessList Nigeria
Finelib Nigeria
NaijaBusiness
Pulseford Company Directory
Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) is consistent on all platforms.
7. Post Regularly on Your Google Profile
Yes, Google My Business allows you to post updates just like a blog or social media.
Ideas:
New services
Promotions or discounts
Behind-the-scenes photos
“Happy Customer” stories
Consistency shows Google your business is active.
8. Add Location Tags to All Images
Before uploading pictures to your Google Profile or website:
Rename them with local keywords like salon-in-victoria-island.jpg
Use free tools like GeoImgr.com to add Nigerian location info (geo-tags)
9. Use a Local Phone Number (Nigerian)
Google favors local numbers over international ones for map rankings. E.g., use 0803…, 0816…, not +44 or +1.
10. Monitor with Google Search Console & Insights
Once listed:
Use Google Search Console to monitor your ranking
Check “Insights” on your Google Business Dashboard to see:
How many people searched you
What keywords they used
How many calls or visits you got
Using fake addresses
Not verifying your listing
No reviews or fake reviews
Inconsistent NAP across websites
Low-quality photos
Ignoring regular updates
Pulseford Can Help You Rank Locally!
At Pulseford, we help Nigerian businesses grow online through:
Google Maps SEO
Website design and SEO
Local business listings
Digital skills training (via Pulseford Business School)
Whether you’re a fashion designer in Aba, a barber in Agege, or a tech startup in Yaba, we’ve helped businesses like yours rank and win local customers.
Ranking on Google Maps in Nigeria is not hard, but it requires the right local SEO steps.
By following this complete guide and optimizing your business for Nigerian local search, you’ll attract more customers, build trust, and grow your business.
Need help setting up or ranking on Google Maps?
We’re here to help you grow.
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