If you’re a local business, then it’s important to make sure that you’re ranking well on Google Maps. In this blog post, we will discuss how to get listed on Google Maps and boost your local visibility. Ranking well on Google Maps can help you attract more local customers and generate more revenue for your business. We will go over some tips and tricks that will help you improve your local search results and rank higher on Google Maps.
Google My Business
The first step in getting listed on Google Maps is to create a Google My Business (GMB) account. This account will help you manage your business’ presence on the map, as well as help customers find and connect with you. You’ll be able to add photos, reviews, and other details about your business that potential customers can use when deciding to work with you. You can also use GMB to advertise and market your business, as well as answer customer questions.
Create accurate listings
Once you’ve registered for a GMB account, you must create accurate listings for your business on Google Maps. Be sure to include all relevant information such as your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and hours of operation. It’s also important to make sure that all this information is accurate and up-to-date. If any of these details are incorrect or missing, it could lead to customers not being able to find you on Google Maps.
- NAP: Make sure that you have consistent NAP (Name, Address and Phone Number) across all your listings. This means that if you have multiple locations or service areas, each one should have its listing with the same NAP details. Having consistent NAP information ensures customers can find accurate information about your business.
Encourage reviews
You should encourage customers to leave reviews about your business on Google Maps. Having positive reviews will help potential customers decide to work with you and also helps boost your rankings on Google Maps. You can do this by creating a link or QR code in your email signature that directs them to the review page for your business. Make sure to respond to any reviews, both positive and negative, as this shows customers that you’re attentive and engaged.
How many reviews should you aim to get? Google Maps recommends at least five reviews, but in this case, more is better. Aim for a bare minimum of 10 reviews to maximize your visibility on the map. Additionally, make sure to respond to any customer complaints quickly and professionally. This will show other customers that you take feedback seriously and are willing to go the extra mile to provide excellent customer service.
Add relevant categories
When creating your GMB listing, you should add relevant categories that describe the type of business you have. Adding more specific categories will help customers find you more easily on Google Maps and make sure your listing is accurate. Make sure to select all relevant categories for your business and add as many details about what services you offer as possible.
Add photos and videos
Adding photos and videos to your Google My Business listing can help you stand out from the competition. Your customers will be able to get a better feel for what your business is about, which could encourage them to choose you over other businesses in their area. You can also add virtual tours of your store or office, as well as images of products or services you offer.
Make sure to optimize your content for search engines by including relevant keywords in the captions of your photos and videos. This will help customers find your business more easily on Google Maps, which can lead to increased visibility and improved rankings.
Stay Up-To-Date
It’s important to keep your GMB account updated with relevant information such as special offers, new products or services, or changes in operating hours. Keeping customers informed of any updates or changes can help you stay visible and increase customer engagement. For example, if you’ve recently opened a new location or changed your hours of operation, make sure to update your GMB account so potential customers can easily find the new information.
What about citations in Google Maps?
Google Maps citations are a way to provide additional information about a business or organization in the form of an online mention. Essentially, a Google Map citation is any online reference to your address, phone number, website URL, and other contact details that can help customers find you more easily on Google Maps. Citations are important for local SEO because they send signals to Google that your business is legitimate and relevant in the local area. Citations also help potential customers find you more easily on search engines, and can improve the visibility of your business within the local community. Creating high-quality citations with correct information will help boost the credibility of your business and make it easier for customers to reach out and contact you. Citations can also help build up your domain authority, which is important for organic search rankings. Additionally, the more citations you have on Google Maps, the more likely it is that your business will show up in local searches and receive additional website visits.
Google Maps citations should be consistent with other listings throughout the web to ensure accuracy. Common places to create citations include business directories, review sites, news article mentions, and social media profiles. The most important thing is to make sure the information included in all of these listings—including your address, phone number, website URL—is accurate and up to date. This will help customers find you more easily, as well as improve the chances of your business showing up in local search results. Citations also help establish trust and authenticity between a business and its customers, helping to build long-term relationships.
Creating citations on Google Maps is an important part of any successful local SEO strategy. However, it’s important to remember that quality is much more important than quantity. Aim to create high-quality citations with accurate information, as this will help boost your business’s visibility and credibility in local search results. Additionally, try to vary the types of citations you create—such as creating a few social media profiles or submitting your business information to various directories—to increase the authority of your website and make it easier for potential customers to find you.
How to build citations on Google Maps
There are several ways to build citations on Google Maps. The most common way is to create business listings in local directories, review sites, and social media profiles. These all count as citations on Google Maps and can help boost your visibility in the search engine results pages (SERPs). Additionally, you can also submit your business information directly to Google My Business (GMB). This will help your business show up more prominently in local search results.
Another way to build citations is to encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings on your GMB listing. Positive reviews will not only make it easier for potential customers to find you, but can also serve as a form of social proof that will help them make a more informed purchasing decision. Finally, you can also reach out to local media outlets and ask if they would be willing to feature your business in any of their articles or news pieces. This will help establish your business as an authority within the community and provide additional citations for Google Maps.
Optimize your website for local SEO
In addition to building citations on Google Maps, it’s also important to optimize your website for local SEO. This will help ensure that your website is more visible in local search results and can help drive more traffic to your site. Optimizing your website involves making sure you include relevant location-based keywords in the content and meta tags, as well as optimizing your website’s speed and structure. Additionally, having a mobile-friendly design is essential for local SEO, as more and more people are relying on their phones to search for businesses.
Optimize your listings
Another way to boost your visibility on Google Maps is by optimizing your listings. You can do this by adding photos, relevant keywords, descriptions, and other content that will help customers find you more easily. For example, if you offer a specific service in your area, make sure to include those words in your listing so potential customers can find you more easily.
Build local links
You can also build local links to boost your website’s authority and visibility in Google Maps. This involves finding websites that are related to your business or located in the same area as you, and then reaching out to them with a request for a link back to your website. Doing this will help improve your website’s authority in the eyes of Google, which will make it more likely to show up in local search results.
Run a local PPC campaign
Running a local PPC (pay-per-click) campaign (like Google AdWords) is an excellent way to boost your visibility on Google Maps. This type of advertising allows you to target potential customers in your local area and direct them directly to your business listing on Google Maps. Additionally, you can also use retargeting ads to further engage with those who have already visited your website or interacted with your business on social media. This can help you drive more repeat customers and increase overall sales.
Boost your local visibility
Overall, getting your business listed on Google Maps is a beneficial way to boost your local visibility and reach out to potential customers in your area. By following the steps we have outlined in this blog post, you can increase your chances of appearing on Google Maps and driving more foot traffic to your business. However, if you find that you do not have the time or resources to devote to this process, reach out to us for assistance. Our team at Graticle will be able to get your business listed on Google Maps quickly and efficiently so that you can focus on running your business. Contact us today to learn more about our services! Call or text (360) 450-3711
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Who is Graticle?
Graticle is a web design, SEO and digital marketing agency based in Longview, WA. We specialize in helping small businesses reach their goals by creating custom solutions tailored to their needs. From creating websites to designing logos and running digital campaigns, our goal is to help you get the most out of your online presence with results-driven strategies. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help. Call or text (360) 450-3711.
