Whether it’s looking for a nearby restaurant or mechanic to help with a flat tire, consumers increasingly turn to Google Maps to find local products and services. As a result, appearing in the top three spots on the Google Maps pack page is key for local businesses. But how do you get there? Read on for ten steps that will boost your Google Maps website ranking and help you secure more clients.
The first step in a successful Google Maps SEO strategy is to create a Google My Business listing for your business. This is where you can add important information about your company, such as the address, contact number, and opening hours. It’s also essential to keep this information up-to-date, so Google can accurately display your company in search results.
You can also use social media to promote your Google Maps business. If you have a Facebook account, you can embed your Google Maps location on your business page to encourage customers to leave reviews. It’s also important to monitor your reviews, as positive ratings and a good reputation will help you reach the top of search results.
Another way to improve your Google Maps ranking is to add photos to your business profile. The best images are high-quality, compelling, and authentically represent your product or service. Consumers are drawn to these images, which is why Google rewards listings with lots of them by putting them higher up in search results.
It is a good idea to include local keywords on your website’s homepage, product or service pages, and contact page. You can also include a FAQ section where you answer common questions about your company’s products and services. In addition, you can use a tool like schema to make your business information appear in the so-called ‘Rich Snippets’ displayed in search results.
One of the most important things you can do to increase your Google Maps website ranking is to optimize your site for mobile devices. Around 60% of all Google searches are made on mobile phones, so it’s crucial to ensure that your website is responsive and mobile-friendly. This is especially true for any mobile apps you may have.
Adding a link to your Google Maps review page on invoices, business cards, and email signatures is a great way to encourage more positive reviews. In addition, you can try using a tool like Podium to automate the process of requesting and collecting customer reviews.
Finally, if you want to make your Google Maps website ranking even more accurate, you should consider using structured data markup. This allows you to add extra information about your business, such as photos, prices, and sizes, that will be displayed directly in the search results. This will give your business a much-needed competitive edge over its competitors.