If you’re a business owner, one of the best things you can do for your company is to get your website ranking well on Google Maps. This can help you to gain a greater share of the local market and can lead to increased sales.
Getting your website ranking high on Google Maps doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes a lot of work, including optimizations at many different levels. But with a few tricks and tips, you can rank your site on the first page of Google Maps.
1. Proximity is important for Google Maps rankings
As you may know, Google has been a big supporter of local businesses and has made it a top priority to show you the most relevant businesses on their search engine when you’re searching for a business in your area. This has led to some major changes within the way Google decides which businesses are displayed in their Google Maps search results.
This has changed to include proximity as a significant factor for Google Maps, and you should make sure that your business is in the right location on your Google Business Profile listing and that your information is consistent across all of your marketing platforms.
2. Use Structured Data to tell the story of your business
Schemas are a set of codes that let your site communicate key details about your business with Google. These include address, opening hours, social media profiles and more. By adding structured data to your website, Google will be able to understand your business much better and will thus rank you higher in Google Maps.
3. Create positive reviews for your business
Having plenty of positive reviews from satisfied customers is an excellent way to attract more people to your site and encourage them to visit your business in the future. But, it’s essential to remember that these reviews should be from unique IP addresses, not on your Wi-Fi network and they should be attached to real Google accounts.
4. Keep your Google Maps Business Profile up to date
In addition to making sure that you have accurate and up-to-date information on your Google Business Profile, you also need to make sure that your information is accurate on other directories and citations. This can include your Google Business Profile, your Facebook business page and your website.
5. Regularly post on your Google Maps business listing
Creating posts that appear on your business Google Maps listing is an easy way to send signals to Google that you are active in the community. These posts can include information such as new product or service launches, promotions and events.
6. Keep your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) consistent on your website
Keeping the name, address, and phone number (NAP) for your business consistent across your various online platforms is an important aspect of your SEO strategy, as it helps to build trust and authority for your brand. This is especially crucial if you’re an online business that has a physical storefront or location.