Bottom Line Up Front: Right now, potential customers are searching for your services, but they're not finding you. Not because you don't exist, but because you're invisible to 87% of searchers. Here's why and how to fix it.
The Harsh Truth
Right now, as you read this, potential customers are searching for your services on Google. They're typing “contractor near me” or “plumber in [your city]” - and they're ready to hire.
But here's the problem: They're not finding you.
Not because you don't exist. Not because you're bad at what you do. But because you're invisible to 87% of searchers.
The Google Maps “Map Pack”
When someone searches for a local business, Google shows a map with exactly 3 businesses at the top. This is called the “map pack” or “local 3-pack.”
These 3 businesses get 87% of all clicks.
Position #4 and below? You're fighting over the remaining 13% of scraps.
Think about your own behavior: When was the last time you scrolled past the map to look at position #8? Exactly.
The Math That Should Scare You
Let's say 100 people in your area search for a contractor today.
If you're in the top 3:
- You're visible to all 100 people
- You get 87 clicks
- You might book 5-10 jobs
If you're at position #8:
- You're visible to maybe 20 people
- You get 2-3 clicks
- You might book 0-1 jobs
Same skills. Same quality. Dramatically different outcomes.
Why Most Contractors Are Invisible
After auditing 500+ contractor profiles, I've found the same pattern over and over:
The Average Contractor Profile:
Reviews: 15-30 (competitor at #1 has 150+)
Photos: 10-20 (competitor has 100+)
Posts: None in 3-6 months (competitor posts weekly)
Services: Not listed (competitor has 15+)
Description: 100 characters (competitor uses all 750)
You're not losing because you're bad at your trade. You're losing because your competitor put in the work to be visible.
The Visibility Gap
Position #1:
- 200+ reviews averaging 4.7+ stars
- 150+ high-quality photos
- Posts 2-3 times per week
- All services clearly listed
- Responds to every review within 24 hours
- Profile is 100% complete
Position #8:
- 25 reviews averaging 4.2 stars
- 12 photos (mostly logo)
- No posts in months
- Services not listed
- Responds to maybe 50% of reviews
- Profile is 40% complete
The gap isn't small. It's massive.
The Consequences
Lost Revenue
If you're invisible to 87% of searchers, you're losing 87% of potential revenue.
For a contractor earning $300,000/year at position #8, moving to position #1 could mean an additional $750,000-1M in annual revenue.
That's not a typo. The visibility difference is that dramatic.
Competitive Disadvantage
While you're struggling to find work, your competitor at #1 is:
- Fully booked 4-6 weeks out
- Turning down projects
- Raising prices
- Hiring more team members
- Expanding their service areas
They're not better contractors. They're just more visible.
Missed Momentum
The longer you stay invisible, the harder it gets to catch up.
Why? Because:
- Competitor keeps getting more reviews (widening the gap)
- Competitor keeps posting (staying active)
- Competitor keeps adding photos (building trust)
- Competitor's rankings keep improving (momentum effect)
Meanwhile, you're stuck at #8 wondering why your phone isn't ringing.
How to Fix It
The good news? Google Maps rankings aren't permanent. You can climb from #8 to #3 in 60-90 days if you know what you're doing.
The 5-Step Visibility Fix:
Generate Reviews Systematically
- Goal: 15-25 new reviews per month
- Set up automated review requests
- Ask every satisfied customer
- Respond to every review within 24 hours
Upload 100+ Photos
- Showcase completed projects
- Team at work
- Before/afters
- Equipment/trucks
- Office/shop
Post Consistently
- 2-3 times per week minimum
- Project updates
- Tips and advice
- Special offers
- Customer testimonials
Complete Your Profile
- All services listed with descriptions
- Business description uses full 750 characters
- Hours accurate
- Service areas defined
- Attributes selected
Build Citations
- 30-50 directory listings
- NAP must be identical everywhere
- Major directories: Yelp, YP, BBB, Angi
- Industry-specific directories
- Local business associations
The Timeline
If you start today and execute consistently:
30 Days:
Breaking into top 10
60 Days:
Top 5 positions
90 Days:
Top 3 (where the leads are)
The Alternative
You have two choices:
Choice 1: Keep doing what you're doing
- Stay invisible to 87% of searchers
- Keep struggling to find work
- Watch competitors dominate
- Wonder why your phone doesn't ring
Choice 2: Fix your visibility
- Show up when customers search
- Phone starts ringing consistently
- Book 4-6 weeks out
- Raise your prices
- Grow your business
Same amount of effort. Dramatically different outcomes.
The Bottom Line: You didn't start your business to be invisible. You started it to help customers and make a living. But if customers can't find you, none of that matters. The good news? Visibility is fixable. Rankings can be improved. The 87% can be captured. The question is: Will you do the work to fix it? Or will you keep being invisible while your competitor at #1 cashes your checks?
Ready to Fix Your Visibility?
We implement this exact system for contractors in Pierce County. Most clients break into the top 3 within 90 days.