Getting your business listed on the first page of Google Maps can increase online reach, drive traffic to your physical location, and boost conversions. However, this is only possible if you follow the best practices and optimize your local SEO. This article will walk you through 10 tactics/strategies that are essential for boosting your SEO Google Maps Ranking.
Google’s algorithm favors listings that provide a positive user experience through accurate, up-to-date information. It also rewards websites that load quickly and are easy to navigate across a variety of screens – especially mobile ones.
Proximity is one of the top ranking factors for Google Maps, which means your business can appear higher in searches if it’s physically closer to the searcher. This is why it’s important to include an accurate address in your Google Business Profile. You should also make sure your business is listed on all relevant local directories and aggregators.
The more reputable citations your business has, the better its chances of appearing in the Google Map pack, which is a set of three businesses that appears at the top of any local search. The best way to ensure that your business’s citations are high-quality is to check them regularly. You can do this by performing manual searches (preferably in Incognito Mode and while logged out of your Google account) or using an analytic tool that specializes in tracking Google Maps rankings.
Embedding your Google Business Profile on your website is another great way to improve your business’s SEO. It’s simple and easy to do – simply open your Google Business Profile, click “Share,” then copy the link provided.
Reviews are a powerful ranking factor for Google Maps SEO, but not all businesses have the time to manually solicit reviews from their customers. Fortunately, there are tools like Podium that can automate the process of collecting and managing reviews from your customers. This helps you increase your Google Maps ranking, while ensuring that only positive feedback is published.
Google wants to see that your business is active and thriving, so it’s vital to update your listing regularly. This includes things like announcing events and changes to your opening hours. It’s also a good idea to keep adding images to your listing, as consumers tend to gravitate towards them.
It’s essential to monitor your Google Maps ranking on a regular basis so that you can identify and fix issues as they arise. You can do this by conducting manual searches (preferably in Incognito Mode) or by using a ranking monitoring tool that allows you to filter for Google Maps results. In addition, it’s always a good idea to research new keywords that can help you improve your SEO for Google Maps. This will give you a competitive advantage over other businesses in your industry and increase the likelihood that your Google Business Profile will rank highly for these search terms. Finally, don’t forget to check your ad performance regularly – both Google Ads and organic SERP rankings are taken into consideration when it comes to ranking your business on Google Maps.