If there’s one thing potential customers care about when looking for a business, it’s location. And if there’s one thing that can help them find your business efficiently, it’s Google Maps. That’s why ranking highly on Google Maps is so essential for businesses. But how to rank on Google Maps? Here are some tips to get you started.
Want Tips on How To Rank on Google Maps?
Here’s a list of how to rank on Google Maps:
- Make a registered and verified account on Google My Business
- Showcase your location with the Service Area Business option
- Optimize your listing
- Encourage customers to leave positive reviews
- Manage negative reviews
- Post plenty of photos
- Participate in Google posts and answer questions
- Increase mobile & zero-click searches
Create a Google My Business Account
Registering and verifying your business on Google My Business is the first and most important step to take if you want to rank highly on Google Maps. This free service provided by Google allows businesses to manage their online information, including their name, address, hours of operation, website, and more. Having an up-to-date and accurate listing signals to Google that your business is legitimate and worth ranking highly.
Showcase Your Location With the “Service Area Business” Option
If your business provides services to customers at their location, you can mark your business as a service-area business. Doing so will help improve your ranking on Google Maps because it allows you to specify the areas that you serve. To do this, sign in to Google My Business and click Info from the menu. Next to “Service area,” click the pencil icon and enter the locations you serve.
Optimize Your Listing
Include relevant keywords in your business name and description that potential customers might search for. For example, if you’re a pizza shop in New York City, you might want to include keywords like “pizza,” “NYC,” and “best pizza in NYC.”
Encourage Customers to Leave Positive Reviews
Google uses customer reviews as one of the factors to determine how high to rank a business on Maps. So, it’s important to encourage your customers to leave positive reviews. You can do this by sending follow-up emails or text messages after they’ve made a purchase, asking them to leave a review. You can also include links to your Google Maps listing on your website and social media pages.
Manage Negative Reviews
If you receive any negative reviews, be sure to respond quickly and professionally. This shows Google that you’re taking customer feedback seriously and are committed to providing a good experience for everyone.
Post Plenty of Photos
Adding photos is another great way to signal to Google that your business is legitimate and active. Customers will also be able to get a better sense of what your business is like before they visit. So be sure to post plenty of photos of your products or services, your storefront, and your team.
Participate in Google Posts and Answer Questions
Google Posts is a feature that allows businesses to share updates and information with potential customers right on their Google Maps listing. This feature can promote sales or special offers, share blog posts or news articles, or answer frequently asked questions.
Answering customer questions is another great way to engage with potential customers and signal to Google that you’re an expert in your field. To do this, sign in to Google My Business and click Questions from the menu. Then, simply answer any questions that have been asked about your business.
Increase Mobile & Zero-Click Searches
More and more people are using their mobile devices to search for businesses on Google Maps. So it’s important to make sure your listing is optimized for mobile searches. This includes having a clickable website link, your address and phone number prominently displayed, and photos that look good on a small screen.
You can also encourage customers to visit your store or office by offering directions right from your Google Maps listing. To do this, sign in to Google My Business and click Info from the menu. Then, scroll down to the “Address” section and click the pencil icon next to “Directions.” Finally, enter the address or GPS coordinates of your business location.
Another way to encourage customers to visit your store is by offering zero-click searches. This means that when potential customers search for your business on Google Maps, they’ll be able to see key information like your hours of operation and contact information without having to click through to your website.
To do this, sign in to Google My Business and click Info from the menu. Then, scroll down to the “Hours” section and click the pencil icon next to each day of the week. Finally, enter your business’s hours for each day.
Is Google Maps Viable As A Social Media Platform?
Google Maps has long been a go-to resource for finding local businesses and getting directions to them. But with the introduction of features like Google Posts and customer questions, it’s starting to look a lot more like a social media platform.
Google Maps offers businesses a unique way to engage with potential customers. And since it’s already one of the most popular apps in the world, there’s a good chance your target audience is already using it.
Of course, there are some things to remember if you’re considering using Google Maps as a social media platform. First, ensuring your business is properly listed, and all your information is up-to-date is important. Second, you’ll need to be active on the platform, posting updates and responding to questions in a timely manner.
The Bottom Line on Knowing How To Rank On Google Maps
Google Maps is a powerful tool that can help businesses reach new customers and grow their business. But it’s important to remember that it’s not a traditional social media platform. Removing your business from Google maps can have a negative impact down the road so it is important to manage it properly.
To get the most out of it, you’ll need to ensure your listing is accurate and complete, and you’ll need to be active on the platform, posting updates and responding to questions in a timely manner. If you’re willing to put in the work, Google Maps can be a great way to reach new customers and grow your business.
How have you used Google Maps to promote your business? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re looking for more ways to promote your business online, check out our post on how to rank higher with the WordPress SEO practices. Call us for a free strategy session when you need direct, one-on-one assistance!
