Google Maps is a valuable marketing tool for local businesses. In fact, it’s been found that over 85% of people who search for local businesses on Google Maps visit those businesses within 24 hours.
This makes it an essential part of any local SEO strategy. In addition to that, the dramatic rise in voice searches means that a strong Google Maps ranking is more important than ever. Luckily, there are a number of tools available to help you rank higher on Google Maps and reach more customers.
The most important factors in determining your Maps ranking are relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance refers to whether your business matches the user’s query, so it is crucial to ensure that your Google Business Profile has complete, accurate and detailed information about what you offer. This includes the products and services section, as well as the keywords used in the description. Ideally, these will match the user’s search query. In addition, the proximity of your business to the user is also a crucial factor when determining your Google Maps ranking.
Another key factor is the amount and quality of your online reviews. While Google hasn’t confirmed that reviews are a ranking factor, it is commonly believed that the more positive and specific your reviews are, the better your Maps ranking will be. To increase your chances of getting high-quality, relevant reviews, consider asking your customers to leave feedback on your business and include relevant keywords in the review. You can also encourage your clients to leave a review by including a link on your invoices and by placing it on your website and social media pages.
Other things to consider when boosting your Google Maps ranking include optimizing your website for local keywords and using schema markup on your NAP data, as well as enriching your content with relevant local terms. It’s also a good idea to regularly update your Google Business Profile with fresh content, which can help you improve your ranking by showing that Google considers your business active and relevant to the local community.
One of the best tools for monitoring your Google Maps rankings is GMB Crush, which offers a free trial period and allows you to use up to 10 credits per month. This tool can show you your current Google Maps and Search Engine Results Page (SERP) rankings based on the keywords you enter, and it also provides you with an exportable CSV report. You can also monitor your competition with a variety of other rank tracking tools. However, these tools may not provide you with the most up-to-date and precise data. For this reason, it is recommended to use a more thorough and reliable rank tracker, such as Podium.