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Video Summary
In my previous video I talked about the top-ranking factors for Google Maps.
In our fast-paced digital age, online visibility is important for businesses of all sizes, no matter what they do. Google Maps Optimization is a powerful way to help businesses enhance their online presence and attract more customers.
Ultimately, getting a better Google Maps ranking depends on influencing relevance and prominence. Unless you move your business, you can’t directly change the distance.
So, now that you know the key ranking factors, let’s take a look at what you can do to help your business rank higher in Google Maps results…
Video Transcript
Hello, it’s Jeffrey Kirk again.
In my previous video I talked about the top-ranking factors for Google Maps. If you haven’t seen it yet, look below for the link. In today’s video I’m going to give you some steps to improve your Google Maps ranking.
Google Maps Key Ranking Factors
To begin, I want to remind you that the three most important factors that determine your rank are relevance, distance, and prominence.
Relevance means that your business information closely matches what people are searching for. So, it’s essential to have accurate and detailed information on your Google Business Profile, including your location and the services you provide.
Distance refers to the distance from where the searcher is to where your business is. The closer a searcher is to your business, the higher you should appear. So every business should be in the #1 spot when searching from their own location. The goal is to appear near the top when the searcher is closer to a competitor.
And Prominence is about how well-known your business is. This depends on things like your reputation, online presence, and reviews. I often refer to this as Popularity. If two businesses are similar in what they do and are similar distance from the searcher, but one is more popular than the other, the popular one wins.
Ultimately, getting a better Google Maps ranking depends on influencing relevance and prominence. Unless you move your business, you can’t directly change the distance.
So, now that you know the key ranking factors, let’s take a look at what you can do to help your business rank higher in Google Maps results:
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
If you don’t have a profile, you can’t appear on Google Maps or in the Money Zone. I have an entire playlist of videos dedicated to helping you get your profile claimed and optimized.
Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are accurate. Add high-quality images and ensure your business hours are up to date too. The more complete and more detailed your profile is, the better your chances of ranking higher in any results based on Google Maps.
2. Consistent NAP
NAP consistency is a vital factor in local SEO. NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone Number. Your business name, address, and phone number should be consistent across all online platforms, directories, and social media profiles.
Google uses these citations to verify the legitimacy of your business. Inconsistent information can lead to lower rankings, so double-check and make sure everything matches.
3. Encourage Reviews and Respond to Them
Customer reviews play a significant role in your business rank. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and ratings on your business profile. But remember, don’t fake it; the reviews must be authentic. It doesn’t help at all if your profile is taken down because you violated Google’s terms.
Also, take the time to respond to all reviews, whether they’re positive or negative. Address any issues professionally and thank customers for their feedback. This engagement shows potential customers that you value their opinions and doing this boosts your credibility.
If you want to know how to respond to negative Google reviews, check out my previous video on that subject.
4. Optimize for Local Keywords
Local keywords are the secret sauce to Google Maps’ success. Conduct keyword research to identify the phrases that potential customers in your area are using when searching for products or services like yours.
Include these keywords in your Google Business Profile, your website content, and meta descriptions. Make sure the information you provide is relevant to your location.
5. Build High-Quality Backlinks
High-quality backlinks can significantly impact your Google Maps ranking too. Collaborate with local influencers, bloggers, or other businesses to obtain links from reputable websites.
Join local directories and associations, and ensure your NAP details are consistent there too. The more trusted websites link to your business, the more Google sees your business as a credible local entity.
6. Optimize for Mobile
In our mobile-centric world, your website and online presence must be mobile-friendly. Google Maps is often accessed via smartphones, so ensure your website is responsive, loads quickly, and offers an excellent user experience on mobile devices.
Google rewards mobile-friendly websites with better rankings. If your website is not mobile-friendly yet, then you better do something about it right away! Take a look at my video on how to make your site mobile friendly.
7. Create High-Quality Content
Quality content isn’t just for blog posts and articles; it also applies to your Google Business Profile and your website. Create engaging, informative, and relevant content that speaks to your local audience. Share local news, events, and promotions to keep your online presence fresh and engaging.
When possible, incorporate photos into your updates. Visuals are more likely to boost viewer engagement in terms of shares and clicks.
8. Use Local Structured Data Markup
Structured data markup, or schema markup, is a way to provide search engines with additional information about your business. This helps Google better understand your business and can result in enhanced search engine results, such as rich snippets.
By adding local structured data markup to your website you improve your chances of showing up in the Google Maps results.
9. Monitor Your Progress
Local SEO and Google Maps ranking isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task. Regularly monitor your Google Business Profile, website traffic, and keyword rankings. Use tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console to keep an eye on your progress, make adjustments as needed, and stay competitive in your local market. And some good news is that updating your Google Business Profile is easier than ever. You can make edits directly from Google Search.
On your desktop, if you search for your business name in Google Search, various profile edit buttons will appear at the top of the results. If you search in Google Maps, click “Manage your Business Profile” to see the same results page.
You can edit your profile, read reviews, answer messages, add photos, check your performance, post updates, and edit your products and services. On the Google Maps app on your phone, you can do the same by searching for your business name and then click the “Edit profile” button.
In an era where online presence is vital for business success, Google Maps Optimization is a must. This tool can be a game-changer for your online marketing strategy, driving more customers through your doors and boosting your revenue.
Don’t miss out on the opportunities that Google Maps Optimization offers; it truly matters for your business’s success. Consistent effort and dedication to local SEO will keep your business visible on the map, attracting new customers and helping your business thrive.
Before you go, I want to let you know that I put together a Local SEO Strategies Checklist for you. It’s completely free, and you can get it at upatdawn.biz/10local. Go get that right now while you’re thinking about it.
Your business deserves to be seen online, and I will help you get there.
Thanks for watching, and have a great day!
