Being found on Google is not about luck; it is about being visible where customers search locally. The single highest-leverage step is a complete and verified Google Business Profile. Fill in every category, add photos, set accurate opening hours and make sure your address matches what is on your website. This is what shows up in the map pack when someone searches for your type of business nearby.
Reviews are the second pillar. Ask every satisfied customer to leave one, respond to all of them and never buy fake reviews. Google uses review quantity and quality as a strong local ranking signal, and a handful of genuine recent reviews moves you faster than most other tactics.
Third, make your website and content local. Add a contact page with a consistent name, address and phone number, publish service pages that mention your city and the problems you solve, and use tools like Google Search Console to see which searches actually bring traffic. Pair that with simple keyword research: what would a customer type when they need what you sell?
Start with those four things, measure for two to three months, and only then invest in ads or more advanced SEO. Most small businesses win local visibility long before they need anything expensive.