Lethbridge SEO Face-Off: Who’s Winning on Google Maps?

What does it take to stand out on Google Maps in Lethbridge? For many small, brick-and-mortar businesses, the answer might be simpler than you think.

Recently, we ran our first Mini SEO Showdown — a focused review of how well five local businesses are using their Google Business Profiles (GBP) to attract real-world customers. We weren’t looking at websites or deep SEO strategy this time — just the practical, everyday details that help a business rank in the Map Pack.

And the results? They revealed both a clear winner and some easy-to-miss opportunities for nearly every other local business.

Meet the Top Performer: Analog Books Inc

Among the five businesses we reviewed, Analog Books Inc came out on top — not because of some complex SEO trick, but because their profile is clean, consistent, and clearly well cared for.

They’ve been replying to reviews, publishing posts, and maintaining a fast mobile-friendly website. While there’s still room to grow (like experimenting with video or enabling more GBP features),they’re already doing what most local businesses aren't: showing Google and customers alike that they’re active and engaged.

Why We Did This: The Idea Behind a Mini SEO Showdown

Our team at SilverServers is known for deep-dive SEO breakdowns — but this time, we wanted to zoom in on a single, powerful platform: Google Business Profiles. These listings are especially important for local businesses that depend on foot traffic — cafés, bookstores, salons, restaurants, and more.

So we picked five industries common in downtown Lethbridge, searched them on Google (like “coffee shop lethbridge”),and picked the top business in the Map Pack for each. Then we rated those profiles using practical criteria anyone can understand — no technical jargon needed.

The Contenders

Here’s who went head-to-head in our local showdown:

• The Penny Coffee House – Coffee Shop
• Analog Books Inc – Bookstore
• Pearl & Quinn Salon – Hair Salon
• Bourbon & Butter – Restaurant
• The Goldworks Ltd – Jewellery & Repair

Each of them ranked well in Google search. But how polished were their profiles behind the scenes?

What We Looked For

We used a 12-point checklist to score each Google Business Profile. It focused on real-world details that matter:

• Complete profile info
• High-quality photos and videos
• Recent posts and updates
• Review responses
• Product or service listings
• Fast mobile site
• Accurate contact info
• Use of local keywords
• Linked social media
• Profile attributes (like accessibility or outdoor seating)
• Any creative or standout GBP use

It’s not about perfection — it’s about participation. The businesses that engaged with even a few of these features pulled ahead.

The Results

So what gave each business its score?

What We Saw

Analog Books Inc – 8/12: Consistently active. They respond to reviews, have the most recent post (from mid-2023),  and maintain a fast, mobile-friendly site. A great benchmark for others.

Pearl & Quinn Salon – 7/12: Impressive use of video — rare on local profiles. They’re active with reviews, too. A bit more content could help them lead.

The Penny Coffee House – 6/12: Great photos and smart use of the “Products” section to showcase branded merch. But no updates or review replies? Missed opportunity.

Bourbon & Butter – 5/12: Profile’s a bit quiet, but they’ve enabled key features like outdoor seating and accessibility — often overlooked but very useful.

The Goldworks Ltd – 5/12: Strong fundamentals like NAP consistency and mobile speed. But no content updates, services, or review replies left their profile feeling empty.

What Lethbridge Businesses Are Doing Right — and Missing

The Basics Are Covered

All five businesses had their core information filled out — name, hours, contact info. That’s the minimum Google expects, and everyone passed.

Engagement Is Lacking

Only two businesses replied to customer reviews. That’s not just bad form — it can actually hurt your local search ranking.

Posting Is Rare

Only one business had posted anything in the past year. A quick update once a month can keep your profile active and relevant.

Profile Features Are Being Overlooked

Only one business used profile “attributes” like accessibility or outdoor seating. These take seconds to enable and can influence both visibility and foot traffic.

Creativity Stands Out

The Penny Coffee House’s use of the Products section to feature merch is exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking that makes a GBP more valuable.

What You Can Do — Today

The good news? You don’t need to hire an agency to make real progress on your profile. Here are five things you can do in under an hour:

• Reply to your latest reviews — especially the good ones
• Post a short update — upcoming hours, event, or offer
• List your services or products — even just a few
• Enable features — like accessibility, outdoor seating, or payment options
• Upload a new photo or video — fresh content builds trust and visibility

Google rewards businesses that look alive. And customers do too.

Want Help Standing Out on Google?

Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression customers get — and sometimes, the only one.

Whether you're a café, bookstore, salon, or something in between, a few small updates can make a big difference in local search visibility.

Need help?Check out our full guide or get in touch with the team at SilverServers. We love helping local businesses grow — right here in Lethbridge.