If your business isn’t appearing in the top three results for local searches, you’re missing out on a lot of visibility, phone calls and paying clients. And while ranking for Google Maps isn’t the easiest of tasks, it can be done with the right mix of SEO strategies and tactics.
Local search is one of the most effective ways to market your business and grow your revenue. The maps pack occupies a significant amount of real estate on SERP, so ranking well in it can significantly increase your visibility and drive traffic to your site. However, with the proliferation of Google Maps features — such as the local 3-pack and Google My Business listings — it can be challenging to stand out in the crowd.
This article outlines the key factors that influence Google Maps Ranking and provides tips on how to improve your rankings. It’s important to have a clear understanding of how this process works so you can take the right steps to get the best results.
Getting a business to rank on the first page of Google Maps requires an effective marketing strategy that takes into account the importance of the local 3-pack and your GMB listing. With this in mind, it’s essential to optimize your website and content from a keyword, local and social media perspective.
In addition to optimizing your website and content, you should also focus on enhancing your GMB profile. Ensure that your business information is correct and updated, add a professional-looking photo of your business, and include relevant keywords in your description. Also, encourage your customers to leave reviews on your profile; a high number of positive reviews is an excellent way to enhance your Google Maps Ranking.
Another great tip for boosting your Google Maps Ranking is to remove duplicate listings. These can occur in a variety of ways, from an old intern accidentally setting up an outdated profile to unscrupulous actors creating profiles specifically to negatively impact your ranking (or even steal valuable reviews). Semrush’s Listing Management tool can help you identify and resolve these issues, so your business’s Google Maps profile is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
As Google’s algorithm changes, it’s vital to regularly check and update your business information on the platform. For instance, the “Vicinity Update” of 2021 placed a greater emphasis on proximity as a ranking factor. You can find out if this update affected your business by comparing your Google Maps Ranking to that of your competitors.
To stay ahead of your competition, you should nurture the areas of your local SEO strategy each month – and make sure your business’s Google Maps Profile is in tip-top shape. This is why a company like Semrush can be so helpful; our Google Maps Optimization and Maintenance service helps you to boost your ranking, stay on top and drive more phone calls and website visits from people looking for your services. And our Monthly Local Audits ensure that your listing is always up to date, avoiding the risk of losing ground to your competition.