The Google Maps Ranking Guide: 10 Practical Strategies That Will Get Your Business Listed At the Top of Local Search
Getting your business listed at the top of local search is crucial for brand visibility and generating leads. Your Google Maps ranking can help you get discovered by new customers, stand out from the competition, and generate more business for free — but only if you rank high enough.
Optimizing for Google Maps is not as complex as it may seem, and there are a number of simple tactics you can implement to improve your rankings. These tactics will enable you to get your business listed at the top of local searches and start seeing results from your efforts in a matter of weeks.
1. Ensure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date and accurate.
Having a fully-filled and up-to-date Google My Business profile is a vital factor in your ranking on Google Maps. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to be ranked on the first page of Google Maps. Make sure all of your contact details and business info are up to date and correct, including address, phone number, and website URL.
2. Add compelling photos to your Google Maps business listing.
Uploading high-quality and compelling photos to your Google Maps listing will not only increase your chances of a higher ranking on Google Maps, but it will also be an important factor in your conversion rate. Your photos will show consumers what your business is like, and they’ll be more likely to visit your business if they think you offer a better experience than your competitors do.
3. Ensure that your Google Maps business listing links to a responsive and mobile-friendly site.
Nearly 60% of Google Maps searches are made on mobile devices, and your listing must take searchers to a website that works well across all screen sizes and devices. If your listing takes searchers to a website that requires pinching and zooming, has broken links, or is slow to load, it will be less appealing to Google and you’ll struggle to achieve top rankings on the platform.
4. Use structured data to better inform Google about your business’s NAP (name, address, and phone number).
Structured data is a key SEO strategy that allows Google crawlers to better understand the information your website provides about your local business. For example, you can use structured data to tell Google about your business’s opening hours and social media profiles.
5. Create and share content on your Google Business Profile regularly.
Creating and sharing content on your Google Business Profile is a great way to increase your ranking on Google Maps, and it’s one of the easiest ways to boost your online presence. Posting updates about your business, events, and special offers can help you attract more attention from potential customers.
6. Embedding your business’s address on your website is another important tactic to enhance your Google Maps ranking.