Brand Better
Jun 13, 2025
Main Street’s Not Dead—But Your Google Listing Might Be
Main Street is full of shops people love—but that doesn’t mean they can find you.
In Vancouver, 72% of shoppers check Google Maps before visiting a local store. If your Google Business Profile is outdated, inconsistent, or straight-up missing, you're not even part of the decision process.
This post is for the coffee shops, florists, nail studios, record stores, thrift stores, bakeries, and more that make Main Street magic, but might not have time to become SEO pros. These are easy, fast hacks to boost your local visibility where it counts most: on Google.
Google Business Optimization for Main Street, Vancouver
NAP Consistency Is Everything
What it means: NAP = Name, Address, Phone number. Google wants it exactly the same everywhere.
Why it matters for Main Street:
Many businesses around Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, or South Main have moved, rebranded, or changed hours, without updating old directory listings. That creates “trust breaks” in Google’s eyes.
What to do:
Copy your NAP from your Google Business Profile.
Paste it exactly—including punctuation and formatting—on:
Double-check your old Facebook and Instagram bios too.
Create Micro-Pages for Nearby Neighbourhoods
Why it matters: Google uses your site to confirm your relevance to a neighbourhood—even if your business isn’t technically located there.
What to do as a Main Street brand:
Let’s say your floral studio is on 18th & Main, but you serve weddings in Mount Pleasant and Riley Park. Add pages like:
/mount-pleasant-wedding-flowers
/riley-park-elopement-bouquetsEach page should include:
Local keywords
Driving directions
Google Map embed
A testimonial from a customer in that area
SEO Bonus: This tactic strengthens your GBP (Google Business Profile) and brings in more website traffic.
Upload New Photos Weekly (Yes, Weekly)
Why it matters: Google loves “fresh” businesses. Frequent photo uploads keep your profile active in their eyes—and boost rank.
What kind of photos?
A rainy-day photo of your window display
A latte art close-up with “Main Street Mondays” in the caption
A customer with their dog outside your shop (ask first!)
Your team setting up for an event
Pro tip: Make sure your phone’s location settings are ON so images are geo-tagged to Main Street Vancouver.
Use FAQ Sections to Show Up in Voice & Local Search
How this helps: Google pulls your Q&As into “People Also Ask” and voice assistant results.
Good questions to include for Main Street businesses:
“Where can I find vegan donuts on Main Street?”
“Do you have parking near 20th & Main?”
“Is your vintage shop dog-friendly?”
“Are you wheelchair accessible?”
How to do it:
Add these to your GBP under “Questions & Answers” or work them naturally into your business description.
Pro Move: Respond to Every Review (Fast)
According to Google, replying to reviews—especially within 24 hours—shows you're active and responsive. Google rewards that with higher local placement.
How to make it manageable:
Set aside 10 minutes every Friday to reply
Use a friendly tone (and emojis if that fits your brand)
For negative reviews, be human—not robotic. Show you're listening.
Main Street Shops Deserve Main-Stage Search Results
Here’s the thing: you’re not competing with global brands, you’re competing with who’s showing up first when someone types “best sourdough Main Street Vancouver” or “dog-friendly café near me.”
That first result is where the clicks go. That first result is where the foot traffic starts.
So skip the fluff. Spend an hour updating your Google Business Profile this week—and let your storefront actually show up for the people walking five minutes away.
At Foreword, we help Main Street businesses get found, without needing a degree in SEO. Need hands-on help optimizing your GBP? Let’s chat.