Google Maps - How To Rank Higher
How can I rank higher in Google Maps results? So, you have a great looking website, it’s clear, understandable, and easy to read. Navigation is simple on mobile and has compelling calls to action. As your website sits there, you wonder how can get more visitors. You have to get the word out and tell others! So how can you do this online for free? One of the cornerstones of your organic traffic building is to make sure your Google My Business profile is 100% complete and updated. This will make sure the information is displayed is accurate. You certainly don’t want a potential visitor to call an old number. Google Maps is a frustrating part of organic online optimization if you don’t take the time to understand how it works. Let’s look at a few ways you can improve your website today, for better traffic starting tomorrow.
Claim Your Google My Business Listing
If you do not have a Google My Business Listings Click Here to get started. On this page in the top right, you have to choices. Sign In or Manage Now. Both options will prompt you to log into your Google Account. If you do not have one, you can follow the steps to set up an account. All clients of Red 3 Media have access to their Google My Business listing so they can make updates anytime day or night! This article is designed for those of you that have Google My Business accounts set up for your business. If you are not familiar with Google My Business or need help setting up or recovering access, click here. Ready to show up higher in the Google Maps results? Just follow these next steps!
8 Surefire Ways To Improve Your Google Maps Ranking
As with all organic traffic, it starts with accurate and original content. Your listing is no different. Read over the following suggestions and make sure your GMB listing is accurate and optimized to help improve your rankings. Keep in mind that Google My Business Map results are relatively local. What do we mean? Google first tries to find businesses near you they believe will interest you. Searching for the best hamburger? Local joints will probably show up before the shop across town. Each of the items below helps you to understand how and why Google uses your business information in search results.
Accurate Business Data
Look over all your business information carefully. On the left-side menu choose Info. This includes your Business name, address, phone numbers, service area, hours, etc. Don’t lose a customer because your phone number or address is incorrect. Having the correct information in Google Maps helps Google to match your company to the person looking for your services!
Location Verification
Follow the options to verify your location. Google wants to make sure only business owners can update and change information. They also need to make sure your business is really listed where it is located. Can you imaging the chaos if companies could change or update their competitor’s information? There are a few options Google will give you to Verify your location. One is through a phone call. Another is by a mailed postcard. Depending on your account and their records you may be giving other options as well. Make sure to follow through and verify your location. Some businesses have multiple locations including warehouses and offices. Make sure all your locations are verified.
Keep Your Info Accurate
Update your hours! Of course, when you move your business, buy a new domain, or get a new phone number you will remember to update. Remember for holidays, vacation or even other events like the local COVID-19 restrictions. By keeping your hours updated, your customers will know when they can reach you. This info also helps Google to let people know if you are open or closed at the minute they are searching!
Reviews – Respond and Manage
When customers leave you reviews on your Google maps profile, make sure you thank them. From your dashboard you will see all your reviews and you can respond to all of them quickly. Bein involved with your customers shows you are involved and care about their thoughts. Of course if someone were to leave a negative review, work to resolve the issue. Once resolved, you can ask them to update their review! Want to know the secret to fixing bad reviews, then read our post.
Photos? Add Original and Relevant Pictures
Google allows you to add pictures through your Google My Business page. These pictures should be original. So do not use stock images. Pictures of your office, employees, work you have completed or products are all great items to share. These images can really help customers get to know your business and allow Google to share these images in their search results as well. These images then link back to your profile. Take advantage of these free features!
How Is Ranking Determined for Google Maps Listings
So you have everything updated and optimized, but you’re not showing up first or high when you search for your business. While Google doesn’t share its trade secret, which is how they index and rank pages, they do share some insight. Here are a few factors that Google uses when determining where to list your company.
3 Key Items Determine Local Google Maps Ranking
- Relevance refers to how close a local listing matches what a person just searched. This is why it is important all your business information is accurate. Make sure to choose the categories that best represent your business.
- Business Location – With Google Maps businesses are listed as close to possible to either the area the person is searching or where they are located. This can be accomplished by Google knowing the general area you are located in. If you were looking for a dry cleaner, it would make sense that the closest businesses would be listed. It’s not just location, notice the third factor.
- Prominence – You could also call this one reputation. Google’s goal with all searches is to return the best answer and websites as fast as possible. For this reason, Google wants to know as much as possible about your business to determine the local rank order.
When you consider these three factors you start to understand what is included. Not only your business information but also your website, reviews, pictures, age of the website, time in business, and so on. So it’s reasonable to understand that Google may list a business ahead of your business based on many factors.
So what is the secret? As always its original quality content. Keep your Google My Business profile accurate. Next, make sure you ask for reviews from your customers. Then, update your website with original articles or posts. Share on social media and if at all possible pay for some Google Ads.
Remember, organic traffic is like people driving by your location. Not everyone will even notice your business as they drive by, even less will stop. On the other hand, if you had a billboard at every intersection and parking lot around town, imagine how many people would not only know about your business but will stop by. So give us a call or complete our online form for Google Ads and we can help boost your organic traffic with strategically placed paid ads!
