You know what drives me crazy? Business owners who think Google My Business is just about filling out a profile and calling it done. I’ve been working with Colorado Springs businesses for years, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen incredible companies get buried in search results simply because they didn’t understand what Google actually cares about.
Here’s the thing – if you’re running a business in Colorado Springs, you’re competing in one of the most unique markets in the country. We’ve got military families constantly moving in and out, tourists visiting Pikes Peak, and a growing tech scene that’s changing how people search for local services. Your Google My Business strategy needs to factor all of this in.
Let me walk you through what’s really working in 2025, based on what I’m seeing with actual businesses right here in the Springs.
The Three Pillars That Actually Matter
Google keeps things pretty simple when it comes to local rankings, but most people overcomplicate it. There are three main factors that determine whether you show up when someone searches for your type of business in Colorado Springs.
Relevance – Are You What They’re Looking For?
This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many businesses mess it up. Relevance isn’t just about having the right business category – it’s about making sure everything in your profile screams “this is exactly what you need.”
I worked with a plumber in the Broadmoor area who wasn’t showing up for “emergency plumber” searches. Turns out, his business description was all about bathroom remodels and new construction. We tweaked his description to include emergency services, added some posts about 24-hour availability, and boom – he started showing up for those high-value emergency calls.
Your business information, categories, and all your content need to match what people are actually searching for. If you’re a restaurant, don’t just say you serve “American food” – get specific about whether it’s comfort food, farm-to-table, or sports bar fare.
Distance – Location Still Rules Everything
This is where Colorado Springs gets interesting. Our city is spread out – you’ve got downtown, the Northside, Security-Widefield, and everything in between. Someone searching for a coffee shop in Old Colorado City isn’t going to drive to Powers Boulevard, no matter how good your reviews are.
Distance is the second key factor Google looks at. If someone’s standing at the Citadel Mall and searches for “pizza near me,” Google’s going to prioritize businesses close to that location. You can’t change where your business is located, but you can be smart about how you describe your service area and what neighborhoods you emphasize in your content.
Prominence – Your Digital Reputation
Think of prominence as Google’s way of measuring how well-known and respected your business is online. It’s not just about having a website – it’s about having a strong presence across the web that signals to Google “this is a legitimate, popular business.”
Reviews are a huge part of this, but so are things like how often people visit your website from your Google listing, how many photos you have, and whether other websites mention your business.
What’s Actually Working in Colorado Springs Right Now
Let me share some specific strategies that I’ve seen move the needle for local businesses here in 2025.
Get Your NAP Perfect (And Keep It That Way)
NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number, and it’s the foundation everything else builds on. I can’t stress this enough – if your business information isn’t consistent everywhere online, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
- Make sure your business name is exactly the same on Google, Yelp, Facebook, your website, and everywhere else
- Use the exact same address format everywhere (don’t use “Street” on one site and “St.” on another)
- Keep the same phone number across all platforms
- Update your hours immediately when they change (especially important during holidays or seasonal adjustments)
I had a client who was losing rankings because they had their address listed as “Colorado Springs” on some sites and “Colorado Spgs” on others. Seems minor, right? But Google’s algorithms see that as inconsistent information, which hurts your credibility.
Master Your Categories
Google has over 3,000 business categories to choose from, and picking the right ones can make or break your visibility. You get one primary category – this should be the most accurate description of what your business does. Then you can add secondary categories that capture other aspects of your business.
Here’s the key – don’t try to be everything to everyone. If you’re a hair salon that also does nails, your primary category should be “Hair salon” not “Beauty salon.” Be specific, because that’s how people search.
For Colorado Springs businesses, I often recommend including location-specific categories when available. For example, if you’re a tour company, “Tour operator” might be your primary category, but “Sightseeing tour agency” could be a great secondary category since we get so many tourists.
Reviews: Quality Beats Quantity Every Time
Everyone talks about getting more reviews, but what really matters is getting good reviews and responding to them. Businesses with complete Google Business Profile listings are 70% more likely to attract location visits from potential customers – and reviews are a huge part of what makes a profile “complete.”
- Ask for reviews from your best customers (the ones who had a great experience)
- Make it easy – send them a direct link to your review page
- Respond to every review, good or bad, within 48 hours
- Keep responses authentic and personal, not corporate-speak
Responding to reviews is super important. When you respond to reviews, you’re showing Google that you’re actively managing your business presence. Plus, potential customers see that you care about feedback.
Photos That Actually Help Your Rankings
Most businesses upload a few photos when they set up their Google listing and then forget about it. Big mistake. Google wants to see fresh, high-quality photos on a regular basis.
- Upload new photos at least once a week
- Include photos of your actual location, not just stock images
- Show your products or services in action
- Take advantage of Colorado Springs’ scenery – if you have mountain views or interesting architecture, show it off
Google actually tracks how many views your photos get, which means they’re paying attention to how engaging your visual content is. I’ve seen businesses get ranking boosts just from consistently adding fresh, relevant photos.
Google Posts: Your Secret Weapon
Google Posts are probably the most underutilized feature in Google My Business. These are short updates that appear in your business listing, and they’re a great way to keep your profile active and relevant.
For Colorado Springs businesses, I recommend posting about:
- Local events you’re participating in (Territory Days, farmers markets, etc.)
- Seasonal promotions or services
- New products or menu items
- Community involvement or local partnerships
The key is to post regularly – at least once a week – and make your content locally relevant. Mention local landmarks, events, or community features. This helps establish your business as truly local, not just another chain or out-of-state company.
Colorado Springs-Specific Strategies
Our city has some unique characteristics that smart businesses can leverage for better Google My Business rankings.
Military Community Focus
With multiple military installations in the area, a huge portion of our population is connected to the military. If your business serves military families, make sure that’s reflected in your Google My Business content.
Use posts to highlight military discounts, mention your support for local military events, or share content that connects with military families. This isn’t just good for rankings – it’s good for business.
Tourism and Seasonal Considerations
Colorado Springs gets millions of tourists every year, and many of them are searching for local businesses on their phones while they’re here. If your business serves tourists, your Google My Business strategy should keep this in mind.
Create posts about tourist-friendly services, highlight your proximity to major attractions like Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak, and make sure your photos show why visitors would want to choose your business.
Also, consider seasonal search patterns. Ski season, summer hiking season, and holiday travel all bring different types of searches. Adjust your content calendar for these times.
Local Citation Building
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. For Colorado Springs businesses, you want to focus on both national directories and local ones.
Key directories to get listed in:
- Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
- VisitCOS (the official tourism site)
- Local neighborhood association websites
- Industry-specific Colorado directories
- The Gazette and other local media business directories
The goal is to build a web of consistent business information that reinforces to Google that you’re a legitimate, established local business.
Common Mistakes That Kill Rankings
Let me save you some headaches by sharing the mistakes I see over and over again.
Keyword Stuffing in Your Business Name
I get it – you want to rank for “Colorado Springs plumber” so you’re tempted to make your business name “Bob’s Colorado Springs Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Services.” Don’t do it.
Google has gotten really good at detecting this, and they’ll actually penalize businesses that stuff keywords into their business names. Use your actual business name, and let your categories, description, and posts do the heavy lifting for keywords.
Ignoring Mobile Users
Here’s a stat that should get your attention: 84% of “near me” searches happen on mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing potential customers even if your Google My Business listing is perfect.
When someone finds your business on Google Maps and taps through to your website, that experience needs to be super smooth on their phone. Slow loading times, hard-to-read text, or difficult navigation will send them straight to your competitor.
Set-and-Forget Mentality
Google My Business isn’t a “set it and forget it” platform. The businesses that consistently rank well are the ones that treat their Google listing as an active marketing channel.
You should be checking your listing at least three times a week for new customer questions, updating posts regularly, and checking your insights to see how people are finding and interacting with your business.
Measuring What Matters
All of this effort is pointless if you’re not tracking the right metrics. Here’s what you should be paying attention to in your Google My Business insights:
- How customers search for your business (direct searches vs. category searches)
- Customer actions (website visits, direction requests, phone calls)
- Photo views and engagement
- Search queries that led people to your listing
The search queries data is particularly valuable because it shows you what people are actually typing when they find your business. You might discover that customers are searching for terms you hadn’t thought to include in your content.
Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in 2025
Google keeps evolving how local search works, and there are a few trends I’m watching closely for Colorado Springs businesses.
First, Google is putting more emphasis on real-time information. Businesses that keep their hours, services, and availability updated in real-time are getting preference in search results. This is especially important for restaurants, retail stores, and service businesses.
Second, video content is becoming more important. Google is starting to favor businesses that include video in their listings, whether that’s virtual tours, product demonstrations, or just behind-the-scenes content.
Finally, Google is getting better at understanding local context and user intent. This means businesses that create genuinely local, relevant content are going to have an advantage over those that use generic, templated approaches.
Your Next Steps
Here’s what I’d recommend you do this week to start improving your Google My Business rankings:
- Audit your current listing for accuracy and completeness
- Set up a system for regularly requesting and responding to reviews
- Create a content calendar for weekly Google Posts
- Take new, high-quality photos of your business
- Check your Google My Business insights to understand how customers are finding you
Remember, local SEO isn’t about gaming the system – it’s about genuinely serving your local community and making it easy for potential customers to find and choose your business. When you focus on providing value and maintaining an active, accurate online presence, the rankings tend to follow naturally.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, you’re not alone. Local SEO can be complex, especially when you’re trying to run a business at the same time. That’s exactly why I focus on building complete local search strategies for Colorado Springs businesses – because I know how much work it takes to do this right.
Whether you tackle this yourself or work with someone like me, the important thing is to start. Your competitors are already working on their Google My Business optimization, and every day you wait is another day they’re getting ahead.
Want to see how your business stacks up? Feel free to give me a call at 719-639-8238, or check out our Google Maps optimization services. I’m always happy to take a look at what you’re working with and point you in the right direction.
The Colorado Springs market is competitive, but it’s also full of opportunities for businesses that understand how to stand out in local search. With the right approach to Google My Business optimization, you can capture more of those local searches and turn them into customers walking through your door.
