Google Maps is where most consumers turn to find local products and services. Being in one of the top 3 spots on a Google Maps search results page will not only help to increase your business visibility, but it will also attract more local leads.
But in order to rank well on Google Maps, your local SEO must be optimized from a keyword and content perspective. Additionally, you must also make sure that your external web presence is optimized.
A website is a great way to provide additional information about your business and help searchers find the products or services that they’re looking for. It’s important that your website is structured properly, with an organized menu and all of the relevant information that your prospects are searching for. Lastly, your website must be secure with HTTPS encryption. Otherwise, your potential customers will be notified that your website is not secure in the SERP.
If you’re running paid ads, the ad will link directly to your Google My Business profile. But if you’re not, it’s crucial that your business website is linked to your GMB profile. This will allow the searcher to easily transition from Google Maps to your website and vice versa, increasing the likelihood of converting them into a paying customer.
Google focuses on a variety of different factors when determining your Maps ranking, but the most important factor is whether you’re providing accurate and complete business information. It’s also critical to keep your listing up to date, especially if you’ve recently changed locations or updated your business hours.
Another important factor is the quality and quantity of your reviews. Consumers tend to trust businesses with a lot of positive reviews, so it’s essential that you encourage your customers to leave reviews. You can do this by providing a link to your review page on your website, as well as encouraging them to share their experience online through social media.
Lastly, it’s important to be active in responding to your reviews, both the good and the bad. This will show both your prospects and Google that you’re dedicated to resolving any issues they might have. It will also help to build your brand reputation and establish trust in the eyes of your prospective customers.
As with any other type of SEO, if you want to get your Google Maps website ranking higher, you must monitor it regularly. You can do this by performing a manual Google search (preferably in Incognito mode) or by using one of the many rank tracking tools that are available. Using these tools will enable you to see how your rankings are changing and what steps you need to take to improve them.