How to Improve Your Google Maps Rankings in 2022
If you're in the process of building a website, you've probably considered how to get it listed on Google Maps. Having your business listed can help drive more traffic to your site and improve brand awareness, but it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is that there are several Google My Business SEO Services that can help you get your journey started with Google Maps. Let's take a look at some of the most effective methods for increasing your rankings in Google Maps in this post.
Why Does Google Maps Matter?
Google Maps is one of the most important web mapping platforms in the world. People use it daily to find their way around, and your business can benefit from being ranked on it. More than a billion users use Google Maps, which is why it is one of the most important sources of traffic for local businesses. If you're not ranking well on Google Maps, you're leaving money on the table.
The higher the map ranking, the more leads a small business can expect to have from that particular area. Google Maps also adds more prestige to a business as a higher-ranked business is considered an authority in the local industry. You can use this to your advantage when dealing with stakeholders such as local government, investors, and even potential new employees. Ranking higher on Google Maps will also lead to more people visiting your website and hence a higher conversion rate.
Google Local Algorithm
Understanding how Google's local algorithm works is critical to getting higher rankings on Google Maps. The three core elements behind it include prominence, proximity, and relevance. Google sees its database of articles, blogs, reviews, and directories to gauge the importance of a business. Proximity, on the other hand, refers to the location term being used in the search. Google Maps will give an output that is close to the user's desired search location and the location of the listing.
Relevance refers to what exactly is being asked for in the search. For example, if your target audience is a repair shop in Springfield, you will need to mention it clearly in the content description of the listings. When the algorithm finds a listing has all three, they are likely to rank higher. A good GMB optimization service can help you ace the algorithm.
Create a GMB Listing
After having a clear idea of the algorithm, it's time to create your GMB listing. The procedure is simple and can be done by visiting Google's website and following easy-to-follow instructions. You can also hire a Google my business SEO services firm to create your Google business profile.
In any case, provide as much information as possible. It is also important that you keep your information up-to-date so that it does not contain any mistakes or outdated information. For example, if you change the address of your store or close down for some reason, make sure that the information is updated on Google's database as well. Make sure your listing has accurate information (including a correct address and phone number). By having a complete, accurate, and enticing GMB listing, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers. Regularly posting to Google My Business (GMB) listing helps improve the overall ranking.
Write Compelling Descriptions
As a business owner, you know that online visibility is key to success. And when it comes to online visibility, Google My Business (GMB) is king. A well-optimized GMB listing can help your business rank higher in local search results, helping you attract more customers. You can make your GMB listing as effective as possible by writing compelling content descriptions. Your GMB listing should include a brief but engaging blurb about your business that will capture the attention of the audience. It should also include a creative call to action to entice the person to check out your website.
Add High-Quality Pictures and Videos
Another way to improve your map rankings is by adding pictures and videos of your products or services on the Google My Business page. These images will help people understand what exactly they are going to get when they visit your store or restaurant and make them feel confident about visiting it in person rather than just looking at it online through search results or social media posts. You can also add photos of happy customers who visited your place and had good experiences there to show potential customers what you have in store for them. The volume of reviews also helps in the final ranking.
Remove Duplicate Listings
Duplicate listings on business directories can negatively impact your search engine ranking and visibility. Take the time to investigate if you have any duplicate listings, and if you do, take the necessary steps to merge or eliminate them. Businesses that appear more than once on Google Maps are at a disadvantage, as only the first listing will be shown to users.
The best way to avoid this is to identify and merge any duplicate listings that may exist for a business. This can be done through the use of an online tool like Moz Local or by manually checking Google Maps for any duplicates. A good Google My Business optimization firm can help remove duplicate listings.
Mobile-Friendly Site
A large chunk of internet traffic now comes from smartphones due to the changes in consumer behavior. Your website must also adapt and become responsive. Use tools such as Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool to see how your website performs.
This guest post was written by Arthur Kidd, an experienced Google Maps marketing expert based in San Diego who has helped his clients leverage the power of Google My Business optimization. He has been linked with a reputable GMB optimization service in San Diego called Search Berg.
