Google Maps is the most popular local search tool, used by 86 million people every month to find local products and services. With consumers not looking beyond the first few results, businesses must ensure their Google Maps business listings are optimized to rank higher and provide supplemental information that boosts their appeal.
To do so, they need to take a number of strategic steps. These include ensuring the website is responsive to all devices, including smartphones, adding a link in the description that redirects to a landing page with relevant content (like a special offer or discount), providing a link to social media accounts and an overall user experience that reflects high-quality standards and brand identity.
Additionally, a local SEO strategy must consider running paid ads to drive traffic to the business listing, which will increase engagement and reviews. Even after the ad campaign has ended, these reviews will remain and be an important factor in Google Maps ranking.
Fortunately, the majority of the work to optimize Google Maps ranking can be done through a few simple tools and tactics. Whether you’re managing one or several locations, Semrush’s Listing Management tool helps businesses optimize their Google Maps profiles and track their performance over time.
As part of your Google Maps profile, it’s essential to add a few photos. While this may seem obvious, it’s worth noting that Google’s algorithms take photos into account when determining a business’s rank. Additionally, listing with photos is more appealing to consumers and can help them decide to interact with a business.
It’s also important to choose the correct category for your business. While you can select multiple categories, Google will prioritize the most relevant category for your business. As a result, choosing the right primary and secondary categories can significantly improve your Google Maps ranking. Thankfully, this is an easy process through the Google My Business dashboard.
Once you have chosen the most suitable category, it’s essential to update it regularly. For example, if you introduce new product lines or services, it’s important to update your business listing with this information. This is because Google may not always accurately reflect this data in its search results, which could negatively impact your Maps ranking.
Additionally, it’s essential to check that the business name, address and phone number in your Google Maps profile is accurate. This is especially critical for local searches, as Google will take into account the proximity of your business to the consumer’s location when determining search results.
Another important aspect of your Google Maps ranking is ensuring that it contains keywords related to the service or product you’re offering. However, it’s important to remember that overuse of keywords can lead to Google penalizing your listings. This is why it’s advisable to use the Keyword Research tool in Localo to see how your competitors are using keywords and to learn how to best incorporate them into your own title.
By taking these tips into consideration, you can maximize your Google Maps ranking and ensure that consumers are engaging with your business listing and converting to paying customers. As a bonus, by tracking your Maps ranking progress with our tools and tactics, you can keep tabs on the ROI of your investment.