1. Add Your Business to Google Maps
To achieve better rankings on Google Maps, the first step is to create a listing on Google Maps. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit google.com/maps or open the Google Maps app on your smartphone. Search for your business name.
- If your business name appears in the drop-down menu with a location next to it, you already have a listing. Move on to the next section.
- If your business name is not listed, you will see an option in the drop-down menu to “add a missing place.”
Click on that option and you will be prompted to provide your business name, category, and location information.
2. Claim Your Business Listing on Maps
The next step in improving your business’s ranking on Google Maps is to claim your listing.
While creating a listing allows you to provide basic information such as name, category, and location, claiming your listing enables you to provide more detailed information about your business.
For this, you’ll need a Google My Business account.
3. Optimize Your Business on Google My Business (GMB)
When you click on “Claim this business” in the Maps pop-up, you’ll be redirected to Google My Business.
Diligently fill out each line and section to complete your listing.
4. Get Reviews on Your Listing
Encourage your clients to leave reviews by launching a social media campaign, offering discounts, or simply sending them an email requesting their opinion and rating of your business.
It’s worth noting that reviews have their own set of ranking factors.
- Review score: Google sometimes goes beyond the star rating and conducts sentiment analysis experiments.
- Quantity of review: Having more reviews generally works in your favor.
- Keywords in reviews: Encourage customers to include the desired keywords, and consider asking for reviews specifically about certain products or services you offer.
Don’t ignore negative reviews but respond to the customer, apologize for any negative experience, and address their concerns.
Being on Google Maps is also about positioning your business right.
6. Build High-Quality Backlinks
When aiming to enhance your visibility in local search results, it is important to prioritize both thematically and locally relevant backlinks.
To discover link-building prospects, I suggest starting with neighboring businesses.
Then, consider reaching out to your business contacts, such as partners, suppliers, and customers.
Even if a business lacks shared characteristics with yours, except for the location, a backlink from their website can still signify a “connection” to that particular area.
This can ultimately have a positive impact on your local rankings.
7. Update Your NAP
The Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) of your business represent crucial pieces of information that are essential to identify and contact your business.
The consistency of these details across all online mentions of your business instills confidence in Google’s assessment of your business.
Run a comprehensive audit to ensure consistency throughout platforms like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor, as well as local directories.
8. Opt for Google Maps Ads
Google Maps Ads provide a non-organic approach to promoting your business, offering an opportunity for acquiring traffic.
Running an ad on Google Maps presents the advantage of being positioned above other results.
Instead of your website, the ad directs searchers to your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
Some ways in which your pay-per-click (PPC) results can be displayed on Google Maps include:
A. Search Results Ads
Google Maps searches through mobile results in nearby businesses or services based on your current location and their ratings.
To achieve top placement in these map results for a specific area, Google Maps provides the option for paid local search listings.
Opting for these listings can significantly enhance a company’s click-through rate (CTR) compared to competitors, attracting a fresh influx of clicks.
B. Promoted Pins
Unlike search result ads, eye-catching pins stand out on the map without requiring users to conduct a specific search.
The appearance of the pins, including their color and style, depends on the type of business being promoted.
Additionally, businesses have the option to showcase their logo instead of using a standard icon, further enhancing their visibility.
C. In-Store Promotions
In-store promotions are displayed directly on businesses’ listings, informing users about special offers and promotions they are currently running.
These promotions can range from BOGO deals to discounts on specific products.
9. Track Google Maps Rankings
Monitor your Google Maps ranking through a rank tracker tool to ensure that your strategy is giving the results you need.
It will also help you build the right strategy for your future campaigns.
10. Keep Finding Ways to Rank on Google Maps
Don’t stop at these ways only. Always find new ways to rank high on Google maps.
