Google Maps is the go-to search engine for people looking to find a local restaurant, trusted mechanic or a boutique that carries their favorite clothes. It’s important for businesses to have a strong presence on the platform so they can be easily found by potential customers. However, it’s not enough to simply create a GBP listing and pop up on the map – the quality of your business will determine how well you rank on the platform. This article will take a look at the factors that make up your Google Maps Ranking.
The first step to establishing visibility in Google Maps is claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP). Once you have a verified listing, be sure to keep it up to date with relevant information such as contact details and your website address. Posting regular content to your profile is also a good way to boost visibility. Customer reviews are another ranking factor that can help your business stand out from the competition. The more positive reviews your Google Business Profile gets, the better your chances of appearing in the Maps pack.
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when attempting to optimize their Google Maps ranking is focusing too much on the “local prominence” metric, which is essentially a combination of the reputation, online presence and star rating of your Google Business Profile, along with traditional SEO tactics like posting content and running review campaigns. While it’s certainly a crucial factor, you should be careful not to ignore other factors that can have a big impact on your rankings, such as consistency in NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) across the web, citations on third-party aggregators and directories, and link building.
Getting your Google Maps listing to rank higher can be difficult. Whether you’re an established business or a newcomer, you need to understand how the process works and what you can do to improve your rankings.
Appearing among the top 3 results in the Google Maps pack can dramatically improve your local search visibility and the number of sign-ups, site visits, phone calls and other desirable conversions.
Fortunately, there are several tools available to help you track your Google Maps ranking and discover the most effective strategies to drive more business from the platform. The free Google Maps Rank Checker from Surfer Local is an excellent option that provides users with a simple and straightforward interface that allows them to input keywords and the location of their business to generate corresponding results.
Aside from being a great tool for tracking your Google Maps ranking, the Google Maps Rank Checker from Surfer also includes a helpful set of tips and tricks for optimizing your listings. This guide is a great resource for small businesses who want to maximize their reach on the platform. It provides advice on how to improve the quality and quantity of reviews, as well as how to increase the click-through rate of your listing.