5 Tips To Improve Your Google Maps SEO

Google Maps is an indispensable tool for growth-hungry businesses.

According to Gitnux, “ Google Maps covers almost 99% of the world population.”

Millions of users rely on Google Maps for navigation and local searches. So, optimizing your site’s presence on this platform is the need of the hour. No need to worry!

Google Maps SEO comes to the rescue with its powerful in-built processes for ranking and visibility. It ultimately drives your foot traffic and increases the number of inquiries simultaneously.

If you successfully implement effective strategies and techniques, you can stand out from your competitors and capture customers’ attention.

What is Google Maps SEO?

SparkToro says, “92.96% of global traffic comes from Google Search, Google Images, and Google Maps.”

Source: SEO PowerSuite

Google Maps SEO optimizes your Google Business Profile (formerly ‘Google My Business – GMB) listing. It lets you rank your site highly in Google Maps and local SEO services results. This also drives more foot traffic, phone calls, and sales for local businesses.

Follow the steps to optimzie Google Maps for SEO:

• Claim and verify your Google Business Profile ( formerly ‘Google My Business-GMB’) listing
• Optimize your business name, address, phone number, and other contact details
• Add high-quality photos and descriptive content
• Encourage customer reviews
• Build local links and citations

Why Is It Important To Optimize For Google Maps?

Google Maps Optimization enhances performance by rendering many markers as a single static element.

“A marker identifies a location on a map. It can display custom images, in which case they are usually referred to as icons.”

This is useful in cases where a large number of markers is required. By default, the Maps JavaScript API decides whether a marker will be optimized.

Disable optimized rendering for animated GIFs or PNGs, or when each marker must be rendered as a separate DOM element.

Google Business Profile Vs. Google Maps Optimizations

Tips For Improving Your Google Maps SEO

1. Claim And Complete A Google Business Profile

Claiming and completing your Google Business Profile is crucial to managing your online presence on Google Search and Maps. Here’s a detailed guide:

• Search for your business:

Visit Google Business Profile  and search for your business name.

• Identify and Claim:

If your business exists, you’ll see it listed. Click “Claim this business” and follow the on-screen instructions.

• Verification:

Google will send a verification code to confirm ownership. This can be sent via postcard to your business address or by phone call or text if you have a linked phone number.

To complete your profile put the below-mentioned information:

• Business Name: Exactly as it appears on your signage.
• Address: Your physical location or service area (if applicable).
• Phone Number: Ensure it’s reachable and has a caller ID.
• Website: Your official business website.
• Category: Choose the category that best describes your business. Google offers many options, so be as specific as possible.
• Opening Hours: Update your hours regularly, including any holiday schedules.

Unique Selling Points (USPs): What sets you apart from competitors?

• Keywords: Naturally incorporate keywords relevant to your business and target audience.
• Photos and Videos: Add high-quality visuals to showcase your business
• Storefront/Office: exterior and interior photos, if applicable.
• Products and Services: Clear and professional product or service images.
• Team: friendly team photos to build trust.
• Action Shots: Photos or videos depicting your work process or happy customers (with permission).
• Logo and Additional Images: Upload your logo and relevant high-resolution images.

2. Ensure the Google Business Profile is complete and up-to-date

• Review Regularly: Check your profile information at least quarterly for accuracy.
• Update Changes: Address any updates to the address, phone number, website, or hours (including holiday schedules).

Source: Google Help

• Respond to Reviews: Actively engage with customer reviews, both positive and negative.
• Post Updates: Share news, promotions, events, or blog posts to keep your profile active.

3. Write a keyword-rich business description on the Google Business Profile

“Keyword density of around 1-2% is considered optimal for on-page SEO purposes.”

A keyword-rich business description is important for any business that wants to rank highly on local SEO services company Google search results. It’s the first thing potential customers see when searching for your business online.

Follow the below-mentioned steps for a keyword-rich business description on Google Business Profile:

• Identify your USP.
• Incorporate the relevant keywords.
• Keep it clear and concise.

4. Post Linked Content (Including Photos)

Here’s how to post linked content with photos on your Google Business Profile:

• Content variety is key:

Don’t just focus on promotions. Share news, events, blog posts, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes glimpses.

• Visually appealing content captures attention:

People are drawn to visuals, so use high-resolution photos and videos. Showcase your products, services, team, or happy customers (with permission).

Capture the essence of your business and its offerings.

• Link building for better traffic flow:

Add links to your website or specific landing pages in your posts. This drives traffic to your website, where you can convert leads into customers.

Source: LinkDoctor

• Posting Made Easy:
• Access your Google Business Profile manager.
• Look for the “Create Post” button or similar option.
• Craft your message and upload your photos and videos.
• Preview your post before hitting “Publish” to ensure everything looks good.

5. Gather reviews on your Google Business Profile

You can request customer reviews by sharing a URL specific to your business.

You can encourage your customers to spread the word about your business through Google reviews with these best practices:

• Verify your business profile: 

This will make your business information appear on maps, searches, and other Google services. To respond to a review, you must have a verified business.

• Remind customers to leave reviews:

Let them know it’s quick and easy to leave reviews. Business owners shouldn’t offer incentives to customers to leave reviews. You can also get customers to leave reviews if you create and share a link.

• Reply to reviews to build customer trust: 

Your customers will notice your business values their input if you read and reply to their reviews.

• Value all reviews: 

Reviews are useful for potential customers when they’re honest and objective. Customers find a mix of positive and negative reviews more trustworthy.

You can always respond to a review to show the customers that you care and provide additional context. You can request removal if the review doesn’t follow our posting guidelines.

Conclusion

Mastering Google Maps SEO is crucial for any business looking to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. Following the outlined tips, you can refine and monitor your strategies to boost website visibility.

Read more: How to Protect Your GBP (Google Business Profile) From Unexpected Updates by Google?

FAQs:

• How is getting your business on Google Maps different from regular online marketing?

Getting your business on Google Maps differs from regular online marketing as it focuses on physical location visibility, navigation, and local search optimization, ensuring customers can find your brick-and-mortar store easily.

• Why should local shops care about showing up on Google Maps?

Local shops should care about showing up on Google Maps because it significantly increases their visibility to potential customers nearby, driving foot traffic and enhancing local brand awareness and credibility.

• What things make Google Maps put some places higher up in the list?

Google Maps prioritizes places higher in the list based on factors like relevance, distance, and prominence. Prominence includes factors like reviews, ratings, and the business’s overall online presence and engagement.

• What can I do to make sure my business shows up better on Google Maps?

To improve your business’s visibility on Google Maps, ensure accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information, optimize business categories and keywords, encourage positive reviews, and engage with customers through updates and photos.