Google ranks local results on three things: relevance, distance and prominence. To rank in the map pack, make your Google Business Profile clearly match the search, cover the areas you work in, and build reviews, photos and local links that show Google you are an established business.
Relevance comes from your profile: the right primary category, secondary categories for the services you offer, a full services list and a description that says what you do and where.
Distance is mostly fixed by where the searcher is, which is why suburb pages on your website matter. They give Google a reason to show you in areas a little further from your base.
Prominence is the part you build: the number and quality of reviews, how often you reply, job photos, mentions on local sites and how well your website ranks. Our guide to getting more Google reviews covers the system we set up for clients.
This is one part of a bigger picture. SEO for tradies: the full guide covers costs, timelines, Google Maps, websites, agencies and AI search in one place.