How to Rank in the Google Map Pack: A Guide for Marine Contractors

When a wealthy waterfront homeowner searches “dock builders near me,” the first thing they see is the Google Map Pack—those top 3 business listings with reviews, ratings, and contact info.

Research shows that 70% of all clicks go to the top 3 Map Pack listings. Positions 4-10 fight over scraps.

If you’re not in the Map Pack, you’re invisible to your best customers.

Here’s how to fix that.

What is the Google Map Pack?

The Map Pack (also called the Local Pack) is the set of 3 business listings that appear at the top of Google search results for local queries. It includes:

  • Your business name
  • Your star rating and review count
  • Your address and phone number
  • A link to your website
  • Directions button

For marine contractors, this is critical. Homeowners searching for dock builders rarely click past the Map Pack—they call one of the top 3.

The 3 Core Ranking Factors

Google uses three primary factors to determine Map Pack rankings:

1. Relevance

Does your business match what the searcher is looking for?

How to improve:

  • Choose “Dock Builder” or “Marine Contractor” as your primary category
  • Use marine-specific keywords in your business description
  • List services that match what homeowners search for

2. Distance

How close are you to the searcher?

How to improve:

  • Set accurate service areas (not just your city, but specific lakes/regions)
  • Don’t fake your address—Google will penalize you
  • If you serve multiple areas, create location-specific pages on your website

3. Prominence

How well-known and trusted is your business?

How to improve:

  • Get more 5-star Google reviews (quality and quantity matter)
  • Build citations on relevant websites
  • Earn backlinks from local and marine industry sites
  • Maintain an active, updated Google Business Profile

Step-by-Step: Optimize Your Map Pack Presence

Step 1: Complete Your Profile 100%

Google rewards complete profiles. Fill out:

  • Business hours (including seasonal hours if applicable)
  • Photos (at least 10 high-quality project photos)
  • Services list (be specific: “Custom Dock Construction,” “Boat Lift Installation”)
  • Business description (include keywords naturally)
  • Service areas (list specific lakes, not just cities)

Step 2: Get Strategic Reviews

Reviews are a MAJOR ranking factor. But not all reviews are equal.

Bad approach: “Leave us a review!” (Generic, leads to weak reviews)

Good approach: “If you loved your new custom dock, would you mind mentioning that in your Google review? It really helps other homeowners find us.”

This gets you specific, keyword-rich reviews like:

“Marine Construction Co. built us an incredible custom dock on Lake Tahoe. Professional team, finished on time, and the quality is outstanding. Highly recommend!”

Step 3: Post Regular Updates

Google Business Profile lets you post updates like social media. Post weekly:

  • Project photos with descriptions
  • Seasonal tips (“Time to winterize your boat lift!”)
  • Customer testimonials
  • Service updates

This shows Google your business is active and relevant.

Step 4: Add Photos Strategically

Photos increase engagement, which boosts rankings. Add:

  • Project photos: Best docks, piers, boat lifts you’ve built
  • Team photos: Humanizes your business
  • Before/after: Shows transformation and quality
  • Process photos: Shows your expertise

Pro tip: Geotag your photos with the specific lake/region name.

Step 5: Build Local Citations

Citations are mentions of your business (NAP: Name, Address, Phone) on other websites. Build citations on:

  • Chamber of Commerce websites
  • Local business directories
  • Marine industry directories
  • Houzz, Angie’s List, Thumbtack

Critical: Your NAP must be EXACTLY the same everywhere. No variations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Keyword Stuffing

Don’t: “Best dock builder, pier builder, boat lift installer, marine contractor, seawall builder…”

Do: “Custom dock and pier construction serving Lake Tahoe homeowners since 1995.”

2. Fake Reviews

Google’s algorithm detects fake review patterns. One bad report can tank your rankings. Build reviews organically.

3. Ignoring Questions & Reviews

Respond to EVERY review (positive and negative) within 24 hours. Answer questions posted to your profile. This signals engagement.

4. Inconsistent Business Info

Your address, phone, and business name must match exactly across your website, Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.

Tracking Your Progress

Use these tools to monitor your Map Pack performance:

  1. Google Business Profile Insights

    • Track calls, direction requests, website clicks
    • See how customers find you (discovery vs. direct searches)

  2. Local Rank Tracking Tools

    • BrightLocal
    • Whitespark
    • Local Falcon

  3. Google Search Console

    • See which searches trigger your Map Pack appearance
    • Track click-through rates

The 30-Day Quick-Start Plan

Week 1: Claim/verify profile, complete all fields, add 10+ photos Week 2: Email 20 past customers requesting specific reviews Week 3: Create 3 posts (project photos), respond to all reviews Week 4: Build 5 local citations, check NAP consistency across all listings

The Bottom Line

Ranking in the Map Pack isn’t about being the “best” dock builder—it’s about having the most complete, active, and trusted online presence.

Follow this strategy consistently for 3-6 months, and you’ll see your Map Pack rankings climb along with your phone ringing more often.

Want to dominate your local Map Pack faster? Get a free strategy session and we’ll show you the quickest path to the #1 spot.