Why Local Business Listings Still Matter in 2025
If you’re a local business owner, showing up when someone nearby searches for your services can be the difference between landing a customer, or losing one to your competitor.
So how can you help increase your changes of securing leads over your competitors? That’s where Google Business Profile, Bing Places for Business, and Apple Business Connect come in. These platforms are free tools that help your business appear in local search results, maps, and voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
But it’s not just about being visible, it’s also about being credible. These listings allow customers to see your reviews, services, photos, and up-to-date business info, all before they ever visit your website.
Standing Out Locally: Visibility is Just the Start
Having a business listing is step one. But to truly attract more leads than your competitors, you need to combine great local SEO with clear positioning and customer-focused marketing.
1. Understand Your Competitors
Research who else is ranking in your area on Google, Bing, and Apple Maps.
Analyse their listings. How many reviews do they have? Are they using posts or showcasing services?
Identify what they do well and where there’s room for improvement.
Benchmark yourself across key areas including quality, pricing, reputation, and customer service.
2. Focus on Your Unique Strengths
Define your value proposition: What do you do differently or better?
Don’t just copy what others are doing; solve your ideal customer’s problems more effectively.
Create a recognisable brand style, this includes logos, tone of voice, and content that customers remember.
Position yourself as an expert through helpful info, guides, or reviews on your profiles.
3. Deliver Exceptional Service (Online & Offline)
Respond to reviews, messages, and calls quickly.
Make it easy to contact you or book a service directly through your profile.
Go above and beyond for your clients. Happy customers leave glowing reviews, which builds trust and improves your ranking.
4. Communicate Your Value Clearly
Keep your business description concise and focused on the benefits of choosing you.
Use your listings to highlight promotions, service offerings, or FAQs.
Post updates and photos regularly—Google, Apple, and Bing all value active listings.
5. Build a Strong, Consistent Reputation
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google and Bing.
Ensure your name, address, and phone number are consistent everywhere.
Keep your branding aligned across your listings, website, and social channels.
Partner with other local businesses and grow your presence organically.
Platform Breakdown: Google, Bing, & Apple
Let’s dive into how to optimise each platform for better local visibility.
Google Business Profile (GBP)
Complete all fields: business name, category, hours, website, and services.
Add a service area if you operate mobile or off-site.
Verify your location and keep your hours accurate (especially holidays).
Post updates, photos, and offers regularly.
Respond to all reviews in a timely manner ( both positive and negative).
Use relevant keywords in your description and services.
- Set up via business.google.com
GBP rankings are based on: Relevance, Distance, and Prominence.
Bing Places for Business
- Sync with your Google profile or fill in your info manually.
- Add a primary and secondary category.
- Upload high-quality photos and keep your name, address and phone number consistent.
- Verify your listing and monitor Bing insights.
- Set up via bingplaces.com
Also powers local results in DuckDuckGo and Windows devices.
Apple Business Connect
Add your business info, logo, banners, and “Showcases” (Apple’s version of posts).
Pin your most important services and updates.
Use Apple’s Insights to monitor views, interactions, and search volume.
Set up via businessconnect.apple.com
Default for iPhone, Safari, Siri, Spotlight, and CarPlay users.
Real Results Come From Real Help
Google’s March 2025 algorithm update made one thing clear: content must be helpful, human, and authentic. That same principle applies to your local listings.
You can’t game the system with AI-filled fluff. Instead, businesses that:
Show up consistently,
Deliver real value,
Build trust through reviews and transparency, are the ones that win.
Ready to Grow Your Local Presence?
We don’t just build websites, we help Aussie businesses become visible, credible, and click-worthy through SEO-first design and local listing optimisation. Let’s chat. Contact us today to get started.