SEO Google Maps Ranking is an important part of local search engine optimization (SEO). Having a well-optimized Maps profile can help your business get found in relevant searches and drive more traffic to your website. If your competitors are dominating the top results for keywords that relate to your business, it’s essential that you do everything possible to rank higher than them in Maps and SERPs. Here are some tips that will help you do just that!
One of the most important factors in Google Maps ranking is the proximity to a searcher’s location. This is why it’s so important that your business address be accurate and complete. In addition, you should also regularly update your business hours and services to reflect any changes. It’s also important that you keep track of your SEO rankings by either manually searching for keywords or using a rank checking tool to do the work for you.
Another big factor in Google Maps ranking is the category of your business. Choosing the right primary and additional categories through your Google My Business dashboard is crucial. For example, if your business is a coffee shop but you also offer catering services, make sure to categorize them correctly. You can even choose multiple categories for the same service if it is relevant to your business.
Google takes the number of reviews and star ratings into consideration when determining your Maps ranking. This is why it’s important that you always encourage your customers to leave a review after visiting your business. You can do this by putting up posters in your store or providing customers with a code to be used when leaving a review on your Google My Business listing.
Running paid ads on Google Maps is an excellent way to boost your visibility and generate more customer reviews. While these ads will eventually stop, the reviews you collect from them will remain a key factor in your Google Maps ranking.
When a searcher enters a query into the Google search box, the algorithm determines which businesses should appear first in the map results and in the normal search engine result pages (SERPs). The best way to improve your Maps ranking is by making sure that your business name, address, phone number, and website URL are accurate and consistent across all online platforms. This includes your Google My Business listing, your website, and your social media profiles.
You should also make sure that your website is mobile-friendly, as around 60% of Google searches are made on mobile devices. Having a responsive website that functions consistently across all screen sizes and doesn’t require pinching and zooming or side-scrolling is the best way to boost your Maps ranking.
In addition, you should add schema to your website, which is a markup language that allows you to easily define and display data in your HTML code. This can include dates, prices, addresses, and sizes. It’s worth noting that Google Maps listings with photos are more likely to rank higher than those without them, so make sure to add pictures of your business to your Google My Business listing and to update the images on your website frequently.