You’ve optimized your website. You’ve set up social media accounts. Maybe you’re even on YouTube.
But you know what will really help your business rank? Optimizing your Google Maps profile.
It’s a simple process, especially if you’ve already optimized your Google My Business listing, but it’s a step many businesses overlook. Sadly, that means missing out on spontaneous foot traffic, higher SERPs rankings, and some of the most powerful signals for local SEO.
Do I Really Need To Optimize My Google Maps Listing?
Although it’s frequently overlooked when businesses cultivate their online presence, Google Maps is an important factor for SERPs. Together with Google My Business, it tells the search engine who your company is, what it does, whether it’s relevant to a user’s search, and how likely users are to be satisfied with your company.
Google My Business, or GMB, is a database that Google maintains on thousands of businesses worldwide. Similar to a phone book, it stores information like a business’ name, phone number, address, and hours of operation. Google Maps uses information in GMB to provide local search results to searchers.
But Maps also builds on GMB by bringing together reviews from your GMB, sites like Yelp!, and even social media. It draws in pictures of your business from around the web and provides searchers an overall sense of your business. Often, this is a potential customer’s first introduction to your business, so it’s essential to make a good impression!
How Google Maps Impacts Local Search
Local search is an important part of any online marketing plan. This is because local search is extremely effective at bringing in new clients and those clients frequently convert. Consider the following statistics:
So what role does Maps play?
Many of Maps’ features rely on a user’s location to determine what is included in SERPs for that user’s query. This can be a huge benefit if your business is close by, especially if you rank in the Google Local Pack. These top three results will appear with more detailed information about their businesses like services they offer, hours of operation, and reviews, as well as their location marked on Google Maps. Making into one of these top positions isn’t easy, but can make a tremendous difference in how users perceive your business.
How Can I Make It Into The Google Local Pack?
Just because you optimize your Maps listing doesn’t guarantee you’ll appear in top search spots. Many factors influence who makes it into the Local Pack, but in general, Google considers three things when delivering local search results:
It may seem like there’s only so much you can do to influence your business’ proximity and relevance, but there are many steps in optimizing your Google Maps listing that can increase your chances of appearing in the local pack.
How Do I Optimize My Google Maps Listing?
Just like with SEO, optimizing your Google Maps listing is about being clear and intentional in how you describe your business to Google. The more complete, accurate, and clear you are, the better Google will understand your business and when to return it in SERPs. In turn, that leads to higher rankings, better quality traffic, and more conversions.
Put Your Business On The Map—Google’s Map
Digital marketing is a full-time job! That’s why many of our clients count on us to handle it for them. Whether it’s setting up your Google My Business listing or setting up your Google Adwords campaign, you can count on us to get you noticed.
Contact TracSoft today to learn more about our SEO, social media, and PPC advertising services.
