Google Maps is a very popular mobile app that people use to find restaurants, hotels, and services in their area. For this reason, ranking high on Google Maps is crucial for local businesses to attract new customers. However, a lot of small business owners struggle to optimize their Google Maps website ranking. The key to optimizing your Google Maps ranking is to have a strong SEO strategy that incorporates content, keywords, and links. This article will share ten tips for boosting your Google Maps website ranking and driving traffic to your local business.
1. Keep your Google Maps listing updated.
One of the most common reasons why Google Maps listings lose their rank is due to outdated information. This can be due to an intern setting up a profile years ago, an old business that has the same name and address still having a live listing, or even someone intentionally trying to affect your rankings (either by creating a fake review or stealing a competitor’s). The best way to avoid this is to regularly check your Google Business Profile – this can be done by manually searching for your business (preferably in Incognito Mode) or using one of many rank monitoring tools that enable you to specifically monitor Google Maps rankings.
2. Optimize your Google Maps title and description.
The title and description of your Google Maps listing are essential for attracting attention, building credibility, and increasing click-through rates on your listing. For this reason, it is important to optimize these two fields with your primary and secondary keywords. It is also a good idea to include local terms such as “city” or “neighborhood” in your title and description to ensure that searchers in your target market are finding your listing.
3. Post photos of your business and products/services.
Pictures of your business and the products/services you offer are a great way to improve your Google Maps website ranking. Having catchy photos on your listing can increase click-through rates and driving directions requests by up to 35%. This is because human eyes are naturally drawn to images, and they help potential customers decide whether or not your business offers what they need.
4. Create and manage a Google My Business profile.
Having a complete and optimized Google My Business profile is essential for gaining a competitive edge and attracting more local business. The profile includes information like your business name, phone number, and website link. It also includes photos, reviews, and posts that can be used to showcase your business and encourage potential customers to visit you.
5. Promote your Google Maps pin through paid ads.
Paying for a promoted pin on Google Maps can instantly improve your business’s visibility and boost its search engine optimization efforts. Unlike search engine result ads, these bolded pins are displayed to users directly on the Google Maps app, which makes them highly visible and can help you gain more clicks and customers.