Google Maps is more than just, well, a Map. It’s a place that can highlight your business and bring it right to your users. More so, it’s about making their business accessible at any time, day or night, generating leads and sales.
So, how do you make the most out of your Google Maps? How do you get your business front and centre to your audience?
In this guide, we break down the importance of Google Maps Marketing and how you can maximize its potential to generate more online leads and sales for your business.
What is Google Maps Marketing & Why Is It So Important?
Basically, Google Maps Marketing is the optimization of your business page on Google Maps.
Just like traditional SEO tactics, you aim to rank higher in Maps searches, so you can produce more traffic and leads.
When you consider that 76% of Local Google searches directly translate into sales, you can see why Google Maps Marketing is so important. Businesses that rank higher on Maps searches, particularly those searching around the local area, tend to get more interest from customers.
So, if you wish to make the most of your SEO (https://growmemarketing.ca/edmonton-seo/) then alongside ranking on the first page of Google, you should also rank near the top on Maps.
That requires you to optimize your Maps business details. We’ll explain how to do that below:
How To Optimize My Google Maps Marketing
Create & Set-Up A Google My Business Profile
A Google My Business (GMB) profile is similar to a Facebook Business Page in that it promotes your business to your audience. More importantly, it lets Google know that you’re an official business looking to reach your audience.
It’s pretty simple to create one, and it’s also free. Once you start building one, it’s important to provide the correct information on the profile. Make sure you:
- Fill in the details about your business (NAP details, store location, website link etc.). Ensure that it is consistent with the rest of your contact information.
- Make sure to select the correct category for your business.
- Verify your account with Google. You can do this via phone, email or traditional mail.
- Optimize it with keywords that you wish to rank for. Include these keywords within your bio, name (if possible) and custom-URL.
- Add high-quality photos and optimize them for keywords).
You might have made other GMBs in the past, so it’s important to have only one (there is one exception below). You can claim one that you made in the past by verifying details with Google. Or you create a new one and eliminate it. It is ultimately down to you.
The only exception is if you have multiple locations as a business. Therefore, it’s best to create a GMB for each site, ensuring the details are correct each time.
Add Your Business to Google Maps
Once you have a GMB profile, it’s time to add your business to Google Maps itself.
You can easily add your details to an exact location on the Map within a few steps:
- Search for your business name on Google Maps
- If your name doesn’t appear, you’ll see an option for “add a missing place.”
- Click on it, and you’ll be asked for details about your business (make sure the facts are the same as your GMB profile)
- You will then have to claim the listing by verifying that you’re the official business owner.
As you can see, it’s a pretty simple process. You can do this either before or after you create a GMB profile. But make sure you do it ASAP!
Get Reviews from Customers
Google loves customer feedback, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that they rank businesses higher if they have a list of positive reviews and rankings.
Your GMB is automatically open to reviews, so it’s important to ensure that you respond to reviews – both positive and negative – and allow your customer to interact back with you. Responding to reviews encourages more of them and mitigates the damage of negative reviews. It also shows how committed you are to helping your customers.
The rankings and review also place an added expectation that you will deliver quality service and products to your customers. Ensure that you always provide the best service and products possible, as it will be reflected in your Google reviews and rankings!
Post Regularly
Just like your Facebook Business Page and your website, it’s important to post on your GMB profile consistently. Regularly posting like this sends signals to Google that you proactively manage your listing, which it considers when ranking. The more action you take and the interactions you get, the more likely Google will recognize your business as a strong source of information.
More so, when posting regularly, encourage users to respond to posts – and then respond to them. This can help create more engagement and interactivity on your GMB profile.
Embed a GMB Profile and Google Map on Your Website
Google loves nothing more than having links across your website, as this enhances the authority of a page. So duly obliged by creating links to your GMB profile and Google Maps listing.
This is an easy step to do.
Simply create a link to your GMB profile on your website with a little icon. You can also add it to your social media profiles, such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
As for the Maps, you can simply embed the Map to the bottom of your website or your home or contact us pages. Click on “Share” in your listing and select the “Embed a map” tab. Then, copy and paste the link to your website.
These links can help build authority to your GMB and Google Maps listing, helping you rank higher on Google Maps.
The Conclusion
While the process for optimizing your GMB and Google Maps might be simple, it’s important to do it right the first time as you will minimize problems in the future. Ensure that:
- Your details are consistent across the Profile, Listing and your website
- Respond to customers often and encourage feedback
- Post regularly on your GMB
- Share the links to your Profile and Maps listing
We hope that this guide helps you master Google Maps and makes your business rank first!