Looking for SEO tips to boost your ranking and visibility on Google Maps? Google Maps can be an incredible digital marketing asset for your business. Did you know that 80% of local searches result in a conversion? That’s an astounding figure. People are searching for your businesses’ products and services locally, and they’re ready to buy.
How can you get the attention of these local customers? There are plenty of strategies. But the most effective ones involve Google Maps marketing. In short, this is the process of optimizing your online presence to get a better organic search position. When your business can rank well in Google Maps, it will have increased visibility and the potential for more conversions.
Why Should You Care About Google Maps Ranking
The reason every local business should care about their Google Maps ranking is simple: brand visibility. Google dominates the search engines, and that is equally the case for local search. According to Google, 83% of U.S. searchers used online search before visiting a store. And one study found that Google Maps is the preferred navigation app for 67% of consumers. If you haven’t made Google Maps a priority, it’s probably time to start.
Related: How to Find Your Website Ranking on Google
7 SEO Tips to Rank Higher on Google Maps
If you aren’t ranking well in Google Maps, there’s a good chance your competitors are. Here are some tips to boost your local search results to get the most out of your digital marketing efforts.
1. Add Your Business to Google Maps
Of course, it’s going to be tough to rank well in Google Maps if your business doesn’t have a listing. Search for your business on Google.com/maps. If it isn’t there, it’s time to add it. If it is, you’ll want to claim your Google My Business (GMB) listing so that you can control the information.
2. Optimize Your Google Business Listing
Once you’ve claimed your Google My Business listing, there’s still a lot of steps to optimize it. An SEO service can help, or you can follow this checklist to get the ball rolling:
- Add your name, address, and phone number (NAP)
- Make sure your NAP is consistent across all online properties
- Include your business hours
- Write an engaging introduction and description
- Select your business categories
- Upload high-quality photos
- Link to your website
3. Get Relevant Local Backlinks
Backlinks can have a significant impact on your Google Maps ranking. To be effective, the links you get must be relevant and high-quality. Preferably look for other local businesses, like the Chamber of Commerce or a local newspaper, that can link to your website.
4. Encourage Customer Feedback
Google places a lot of value on customer reviews and uses these as a Google Maps ranking factor. Your business should be proactive in asking customers to leave online feedback. It’s also vital that you respond to all reviews appropriately and promptly, whether negative or positive.
You might like: Do Online Reviews Help SEO?
5. Post Regularly to Your Google Maps Listing
Similar to Facebook, you can publish posts directly on your Google My Business listing. And doing this is excellent for your local SEO because it tells Google that you are actively managing your listing. Consumers searching for local businesses have strong purchase intent, so your Google posts can give them the information they need to choose you over a competitor.
6. Add Local Keywords to Your Website
Google looks at your business’s website in addition to your GMB listing when it ranks in Google Maps. You can boost your local search results by including relevant local keywords on your website. Don’t stuff them, but let customers know the markets and neighborhoods you serve through your content.
7. Embed Google Maps on Your Website
You can also give a direct signal to Google and your customers that you are using Google Maps by embedding the Google map to your business directly on your website. Most customers understand how to use Google Maps, so having this on your home or contact page provides a service.
Create Your Google Maps Marketing Plan Now
By focusing part of your digital marketing strategy on Google Maps, your business will attract more leads from local searches. If you’re a local business searching for an SEO service, Pagecafe Digital Marketing can help you rank higher in Google Maps so that you can reach your target audience. Reach out to us today to schedule a free local SEO consultation.
Related posts:
Allan Todd is CEO of Pagecafe Digital Marketing. In 2022, Allan teamed up with Infront Webworks to provide digital marketing, website design, content marketing, SEO and strategy and solutions to local businesses. Allan lives in Colorado Springs. More articles by Allan Todd