Google Maps Case Study: Regaining Visibility for “Web Design Rochester NY”
Google Maps visibility for web design searches in Rochester is extremely competitive. Agencies with long-standing authority, strong brands, and aggressive marketing strategies tend to dominate the map results. I did a case study for another search term here also.
This case study shows how refining a Google Business Profile and tightening local relevance helped restore visibility for the search term
“Web Design Rochester NY” over a 20-day period, without relying on shortcuts or risky tactics.
Case Study Overview
- Business: 6×6 Design, LLC Web Design & SEO
- Location: Penfield / East Rochester, NY
- Focus Area: Website Design & Google Maps visibility
- Tracking Method: LocalFalcon map grid scans
- Measured Period: 20 days
Background
Like many agency owners, I spend most of my time working on client projects. After nearly two decades in business, my own website and Google Business Profile had slowly slipped down the priority list.
When I finally took a hard look at my own local visibility, the drop was obvious. Rankings for core web design searches had faded, especially outside a tight radius around my physical location. At the same time, the competitive landscape in Rochester had grown significantly.
After completing a full website refresh, including a new design and updated branding, the next step was to see whether that work, combined with proper GBP optimization, could move the needle in Google Maps.
The Challenge
- A crowded local market with established competitors
- Map visibility is concentrated too close to the business address
- Unstable rankings across nearby towns
- No use of fake locations, keyword stuffing, or category abuse
The Approach
The focus was not on reinventing the wheel, but on cleaning up signals that Google already uses to evaluate local relevance.
Google Business Profile Refinement
- Clarifying primary and secondary categories
- Removing cluttered and auto-generated services
- Rebuilding the services list around actual web design intent
- Stabilizing the profile to prevent ongoing auto-edits
Website & Profile Alignment
- Ensuring website services mirror GBP offerings
- Reinforcing web design focus on on-page content
- Supporting relevance through consistent messaging
Measurement
- LocalFalcon scans using identical grid settings
- Same keyword, same scan area, same timeline
- Direct comparison before and after optimization
The Outcome
- Noticeable improvement in Google Maps visibility for web design searches
- Expanded ranking footprint across the east side of Rochester
- More consistent presence in top-10 and top-5 positions
- Improved overlap between web design and SEO-related visibility
Map Visibility Comparison:
Key Takeaway
Google Maps rankings don’t require gimmicks to improve. When a business clearly communicates what it does, backs it up with a properly aligned website, and removes conflicting signals, visibility tends to expand on its own.
Thinking About Your Own Google Maps Visibility?
If your business competes in a crowded local market and Google Maps matters to your lead flow, this same approach can be applied to your profile.