How to Get Your Farm Found on Google
When someone near you searches "local beef" or "farm fresh eggs near me," Google shows a map with a few businesses on it, then a list of websites. Most small farms don't show up in either, and it's usually not because of anything complicated. Here's what I'd check, in order.
1. Claim your Google Business Profile
This is the listing that shows up on the map and on the right side of the search results. It's free. Search your farm's name on Google; if a listing shows up, claim it, and if not, create one.
A few things to get right:
- Category. Pick the one that matches what customers buy from you, like "Farm," "Meat products store," or "Produce market." You can add a few more.
- Address or service area. If customers come to the farm, list the address. If you only deliver or meet at markets, you can hide your address and list the area you serve instead.
- Hours. If you're only open for pickup on certain days, list those. Update them for the off-season and holidays.
- Photos. Real photos of the farm, the animals, the products, and the farm stand. Add a few new ones every season.
- Products. You can list products right on the profile. Use the same names people search for: "grass-fed ground beef," not just "ground."
2. Make your website say what you sell and where
Google can only show your site for "pasture-raised chicken in Hendricks County" if your site actually says that somewhere. Many farm sites have a lovely story and photos but never plainly state what's for sale or where the farm is.
Check that your home page says, in plain words:
- What you sell
- Where you are, or where you deliver
- How people buy: online, at the farm, at which markets
Give each main product its own page if you can. A page about your half beef shares will show up for "half beef for sale" far more often than a single "Products" page that lists everything.
3. Keep your details the same everywhere
Your farm name, phone number, and address should match on your website, your Google profile, Facebook, and any farm directories you're listed in, like LocalHarvest or your state's farm directory. When they don't match, Google is less sure they're all the same business.
4. Ask for reviews
Reviews are one of the biggest factors in who shows up on the map. Most happy customers will leave one if you ask, they just don't think of it on their own. Get your review link from your Google profile and put it in your pickup reminder or order confirmation email, on a card in your CSA box, or on a sign at the farm stand. Reply to the reviews you get, good or bad. It shows you're paying attention.
5. Make sure your site works on a phone
Most people searching for local food are on their phone. If your site is slow, hard to read, or hard to buy from on a phone, they'll go back to Google and pick someone else. Pull it up on your own phone and try to place an order. If it's frustrating for you, it's frustrating for them.
Where to start
If you only do one thing, claim and fill out your Google Business Profile. It takes about an hour and it's the first thing many customers will see. To check the rest of your site, try my free Farm Website Self-Check. It takes about 10 minutes and tells you what to fix first.