Google Maps website ranking is not the most obvious area of local SEO, but getting it right is vital if your business wants to see more incoming traffic and expand its audience. It is important to understand how Google algorithms work and what makes a good Google Maps rank in order to optimize your listings and get more visibility on the Google Local Pack, as well as search engine results pages (SERP).
First of all, you need to verify your business’s listing on Google. This will ensure that the NAP data (name, address, and phone number) is exactly what you publish on your website and any other places where you promote your business. This is a critical component for any local business, as Google checks NAP data regularly. If your NAP data is incorrect, it can lead to a variety of issues, including having your Google Maps rank drop significantly.
Another way to improve your Google Maps website ranking is to regularly post content on your Google Business Profile. This shows that you’re active and Google prioritizes businesses that regularly post updates. This content can include events, promotions, and news about your business. It can also help to generate reviews, which are another important factor for Google Maps website ranking.
Finally, it is important to make sure your website is mobile-friendly. This is because most searches on Google occur on mobile devices, and if your website requires pinching and zooming to navigate or has broken links, it will negatively affect your Google Maps website ranking. Fortunately, there are many free tools that can check the mobile-friendliness of your site, such as the SeoTools MobileChecker.
It’s also important to monitor your Google Maps rank and compare it with that of your competitors. There are numerous tools that can do this, but Surfer Local is a great option. This free tool can be used by anyone and provides an objective view of your Google Maps rank as compared to that of your competitors. This is an invaluable tool for any local business, as it can help to identify areas that need improvement and provide you with the information you need to optimize your local search strategy.
Another important factor to consider when optimizing your Google Maps website ranking is the proximity of your business to searchers. Google’s algorithm is designed to ensure that users will get the most relevant results for their query, so it will look at factors such as the distance of a business from the user and whether or not the business is relevant to the query.
To ensure your business’s rank is as high as possible, it’s essential to regularly monitor your Google Maps rank and compare it to that of your competitors. Using a free tool like Pro Rank Tracker is one of the best ways to do this. This tool allows you to enter keywords, business name, language, and region to generate a list of your current Google Maps rankings. It also includes a detailed report and can identify competitors who are ranking above or below you.