Maximizing Your Google Map Rankings: The Importance of Selecting the Right Categories
When setting up your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listing for your auto repair shop, one of the most critical factors influencing your Google map or “3-pack” rankings is selecting the correct business categories. While it might be tempting to choose only one category that seems most fitting, Google actually allows you to select multiple categories for a reason. The key is to strike a balance between selecting as few categories as possible while still ensuring that you include all the categories that truly represent your shop’s services.
For instance, it’s important to note that selecting a category like “tire shop” isn’t just about having tire equipment on-site. You would want to choose this category if selling tires is one of your primary profit centers.
Here’s a comprehensive list of categories that could make sense for an auto repair shop. While about 10 of these might be stretching it for some shops, they could still apply to others:
- auto body parts supplier
- auto body shop
- auto dent removal service
- auto electrical service
- auto glass shop
- auto machine shop
- auto parts store
- auto radiator repair service
- auto repair shop
- auto restoration service
- auto spring shop
- auto sunroof shop
- auto tag agency
- auto tune up service
- auto upholsterer
- auto wrecker
- brake shop
- car battery store
- car inspection station
- car service
- car wash
- diesel engine repair service
- glass repair service
- hub cap supplier
- hydraulic repair service
- junkyard
- machine shop
- mechanic
- motorcycle repair shop
- muffler shop
- oil change service
- propane supplier
- radiator repair service
- radiator shop
- RV Repair Shop
- scooter repair shop
- service station
- small engine repair service
- smog inspection station
- tire shop
- towing service
- tractor repair shop
- trailer repair shop
- transmission shop
- truck repair shop
- used auto parts store
- used tire shop
- wheel alignment service
- wheel store
- Windshield replacement service
- Classic car restoration service
- Conversion van builder
- Dent removal service
- Drivetrain repair service
- Electric vehicle service
- Import auto repair service
- Off-road vehicle repair shop
- Steering and suspension service
- Car alarm installation service
- Hitch installation service
- Machine shop service
- Repair shop services
- Truck accessory store
- Truck customization service
We’ve created a free course on how to set up and optimize your Google Maps listing. Check it out here.
Bonus Tip: Enhancing Your Website for Better Visibility
In addition to selecting the right categories on your Google Business Profile listing, another crucial step is optimizing your website to align with those categories. For each category you select, consider creating dedicated pages on your website. For example, if you choose categories like “auto repair shop,” “transmission shop,” “brake shop,” and “tire shop,” ensure that you have individual pages on your site specifically addressing each of these services. Craft compelling content tailored to each service, highlighting your auto shop’s expertise and the unique value you offer to your auto repair customers.
By creating dedicated pages for each category and optimizing them with relevant keywords and quality content, you can significantly improve your chances of appearing in both Google Business Profiles listings and organic search results when potential customers search for those services in your area.
Further Resources for Optimizing Your Google Maps Listing
Selecting categories is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile listing. To delve deeper into optimizing your listing and maximizing your online visibility, we’ve developed a free course that covers everything you need to know. Check it out here.
Did We Miss Anything?
We strive to provide comprehensive guidance to help auto repair shop owners succeed online. If you feel we’ve overlooked any relevant categories or have additional insights to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.
When setting up a Google My Business listing for an auto repair shop, one of the most important things you do that affects your map or “3-pack” rankings is selecting the correct business categories.
Most people select the one category that best fits their business, but Google allows you to select multiple categories for a reason. You want to select as few categories as possible while also selecting all of the categories that truly represent your shop.
For example, one of the categories available is “tire shop”. You don’t select this category just because you have tire equipment. You would select this category if selling tires is one of your primary profit centers.
Below we’ve listed out 49 categories that we feel could make sense for an auto repair shop. About 10 of these are probably stretching it, but they will make sense for some shops.
Bonus Tip: Create pages on your website for the categories you select. If you select auto repair shop, transmission shop, brake shop, and tire shop – create a page on your website for each of these categories. Write some good content specific to each service. This will help your auto repair shop’s Google My Business listing and website to display when someone searches for these services.
The complete list of categories is below.
Selecting categories is just one piece of properly setting up and optimizing your Google Maps, or Google My Business listing. We’ve created a free course on how to set up and optimize your Google Maps listing. Check it out here.
- auto body parts supplier
- auto body shop
- auto dent removal service
- auto electrical service
- auto glass shop
- auto machine shop
- auto parts store
- auto radiator repair service
- auto repair shop
- auto restoration service
- auto spring shop
- auto sunroof shop
- auto tag agency
- auto tune up service
- auto upholsterer
- auto wrecker
- brake shop
- car battery store
- car inspection station
- car service
- car wash
- diesel engine repair service
- glass repair service
- hub cap supplier
- hydraulic repair service
- junkyard
- machine shop
- mechanic
- motorcycle repair shop
- muffler shop
- oil change service
- propane supplier
- radiator repair service
- radiator shop
- RV Repair Shop
- scooter repair shop
- service station
- small engine repair service
- smog inspection station
- tire shop
- towing service
- tractor repair shop
- trailer repair shop
- transmission shop
- truck repair shop
- used auto parts store
- used tire shop
- wheel alignment service
- wheel store
Did we miss a category? If so, please let us know.
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