Google Maps is a powerful platform that allows local businesses to reach potential customers at a moment when they are ready to make a purchase. According to a recent survey by Brandify, 56% of consumers who discover a business through a Google Search go on to visit that business, often within the same day. This is why it is important for local businesses to rank higher in Google Maps packs, as a top ranking means more traffic and more potential revenue.
Any local business can create a Google My Business (GMB) listing, ensure that their basic information is correct, and start publishing relevant, local content to help boost their rankings. However, to take advantage of Google’s enhanced features and get the most out of their GMB listing, a business must claim it and invest time in optimizing it.
What’s more, a business that invests in its GMB listing and complies with the rules of Google’s local SEO can also expect to see better organic search results as well. This is because many of the same factors that influence a website’s organic rankings are also used to determine a Google Maps listing’s ranking.
There are three main areas of focus when it comes to local map ranking: prominence, relevance, and visibility. Prominence refers to how well known a business is in its local area, which can be determined by the number of reviews a business receives, the popularity of a business’s social media channels and the quality of its inbound links. Prominence can be improved through a variety of techniques, from running review generation campaigns to focusing on the keywords that best fit a business’s products and services.
The next aspect of Google Maps ranking is relevance, which is determined by the keywords that a business uses to promote itself and the location of those keywords. It’s important for a business to use local keywords that are relevant to their industry and to make sure that the keyword appears in the name, address, and phone number of its GMB listing and on its website.
Finally, the last factor that a business must take into account is how visible it is on Google Maps and in search results. This can be done by making sure that a business’s GMB and website listings are linked, and that the business’s website is updated regularly with fresh, relevant, local content.
Another way to increase a business’s visibility on Google Maps is by running paid advertising, which can increase the number of customers that interact with its Google My Business listing and visit its website. This interaction can lead to more reviews, and a greater overall ranking for the business. Additionally, when running ads, it is important to respond to customer feedback quickly and in a professional manner. This will ensure that Google places a high importance on a business’s reputation when it comes to its Maps and organic search results.