Google Maps has become one of the most used navigation tools, making it an extremely important part of any business’ online reach. Getting your website listed on the top-3 spots of a local pack can help boost web traffic to your site, increase customer footfall at your business store and enhance conversions. However, ranking on the first page of the local pack isn’t easy and requires a lot of efforts. In this article, we’ll look at some simple yet effective tips to improve your Google Maps website ranking.
To begin with, claiming your Google My Business listing is a must. This allows you to provide more information about your business than would be possible without it. It’s also necessary to make sure that the information you do provide is accurate and up-to-date. The more accurate and comprehensive your data is, the better your chances of appearing higher on the local pack.
While the exact criteria that Google uses to rank business listings varies from time to time, there are a few key factors that remain consistent. Some of these include relevance, proximity, and prominence. Relevance refers to how closely your business matches the searcher’s query; proximity refers to how close your business is to the searcher; and prominence refers to how well-known and established your business is, both offline and online.
Another factor that’s incredibly important is reviews. The more positive reviews your business gets, the more likely it is to appear in the local pack. Google also looks at how active you are in responding to reviews, whether they’re negative or positive, which is why it’s so important to ask your customers for reviews and to respond to them in a timely manner.
The description on your business listing is also important because it provides a quick overview of what your business offers and helps searchers connect with you. A good description will not only describe your products or services but also highlight your unique attributes that will entice searchers to choose you over the competition. It should also contain keywords that are relevant to your business and be written in a way that speaks to the voice of your brand.
In addition to these important factors, ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly is essential for improving your Google Maps ranking. About 60% of Google searches are made on mobile devices, so having a responsive and mobile-friendly website will go a long way toward helping you stay ahead of the curve.
With these 10 tips, you can improve your Google Maps website ranking and drive more traffic to your business. But, remember to keep up with your marketing efforts by monitoring your local rank using a local ranking tracker, as the algorithms that affect Google Maps rankings are constantly changing. By consistently nurturing your local SEO strategy each month, you can continue to rise up the Google Maps pack. Best of luck!