“Google map listings appear above the organic listings andgenerate about half of all the clicks on the page,” said Paul Dughi, CEO at StrongerContent.com. “Getting listed inthe map pack is crucial, especially for local search.”
Google Maps is an essential tool for local businesses toreach out to their target audience. With the right strategy, your business can
appear on the top of the search results, driving more traffic and sales. Here
are some tips on how to rank higher on Google Maps:
Optimize Your Google Business Profile Listing
Your GoogleBusiness Profile listing is the most important factor in determining yourranking on Google Maps. You need to make sure that your listing is complete and
accurate, with up-to-date information, including your business name, address,
phone number, website, hours of operation, and business category. You should
also add photos, videos, and posts to your GMB listing to make it more engaging
and informative.
Get More Reviews
Reviews are a crucialranking signal for Google Maps. The more positive reviews you have, thehigher your business will rank. You should encourage your customers to leave
reviews on your GMB listing by providing excellent customer service, sending
follow-up emails or text messages, and offering incentives for leaving reviews.
Use Local Keywords
Using local keywords in your GMB listing, website, andcontent can help you rank higher on Google Maps. You should research the local
keywords that your target audience is using and include them in your GMB
listing, website content, and meta tags.
“The Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that’s easy touse to find what’s ranking,” said Dughi.
Build Local Citations
Citationsare online references to your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on
other websites. Building local citations can help you increase your visibility
and credibility, which can lead to higher rankings on Google Maps. You should
create listings on local directories, social media platforms, and review sites,
such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Yellow Pages.
Use Google Maps Ads
Google Maps Ads is a paid advertising option that allows youto promote your business on Google Maps. With Google Maps Ads, you can appear
on the top of the search results, drive more traffic to your website, and
increase your sales. You should consider using Google Maps Ads if you want to
boost your visibility and reach a larger audience.
In conclusion, ranking higher on Google Maps requires acombination of on-page optimization, off-page optimization, and advertising. By
following the tips above, you can improve your ranking on Google Maps and reach
out to your target audience.
Sources:
- "Google My Business Help: Optimize your Business Profile," Google, https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177
- "Improve your local ranking on Google," Google, https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091
- "Local SEO: The Definitive Guide," Moz, https://moz.com/local-seo
