SEO Google Maps Ranking is one of the most important things a local business can do to optimize its presence on Google. Appearing in the local pack – the top 3 results for a localized search – can improve sign-ups, website visits, phone calls and other desirable conversions by a significant margin. It also enables a business to reach a broader audience.
In order to rank highly, a local business must take into consideration both on-page and off-page factors. On-page factors are those related to a business’s Google My Business page (GMB) and off-page factors are those relating to other pages on the Internet that have a high number of incoming links.
The most important off-page factor in Google Maps is the quantity and quality of citations. A citation is any mention of your NAP (name, address, phone number) on a reputable local website or publication. The more citations your GMB has, the higher it will rank in Google Maps. However, it’s important that your citations are consistent and contain a minimum of volatility (i.e. Rd. vs Road, St. vs Street, apartment vs suite). High levels of volatility will decrease your Google Maps ranking.
Another very important off-page factor is the number and quality of reviews your business receives. This factor is very important because, as Google strives to deliver what searchers want, businesses with many positive reviews are seen to be more trustworthy than those with fewer positive reviews.
A good way to obtain reviews is to place a link to your Google My Business profile on all of your printed materials, such as business cards, invoices and email signatures. This will encourage customers to leave a review of their experience with your business, either positively or negatively.
Google’s local search algorithm is constantly evolving. The most recent change, called the Vicinity update, brought back proximity as a major ranking factor. In addition to proximity, Google now also weighs prominence and authenticity. Prominence is a particularly difficult aspect of Google Maps to define, but it’s essentially the amount of attention your business gets both online and offline. Authenticity is a somewhat simpler concept: Google wants to see that you are legitimate and providing value to consumers.
Despite the difficulty of optimizing for Google Maps, it is still very important to do so in order to bring more customers to your business. By using the tips in this article, you can improve your Maps ranking and stand out from the competition. The process is not as tough as it may seem. Just follow these steps and you can start to see your business’s visibility in SERP and on Maps increase! If you have any questions or need help with your local SEO, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you get more views, clicks and paying clients! The most effective local marketing strategies are those that work. We can create and implement a successful strategy for you!