When your business appears in the top spot on Google Maps, people nearby and looking for products and services like yours are much more likely to click your link and learn more about what makes you the best at what you do. That’s because appearing in the Google Map pack is a lot like getting an endorsement from the search giant itself. This distinction shows searchers that your business is most likely to match what they’re looking for.
In this blog, LinkNow Media’s search engine optimization (SEO) experts explain Google Maps and how it helps your business gain the visibility it needs to grow. We’ll go over which ranking factors to be aware of and how to optimize each element to capture a coveted top spot.
What Is Google Maps and Why Is the Top Spot Where Your Business Wants to Be?
Google Maps is a navigation tool that packs a serious punch. It helps people discover products and services near their location, and it’s an opportunity for your local business to stand out in a competitive market.
Here’s a peek at what someone searching for a “general contractor in San Diego” might see when a map pack pops up on a search engine results page (SERP).
Claiming the top spot (like TR Construction has here) means your company is front and center for people actively searching for products and services like yours. It’s where you want to be because it positions your company as the go-to option, providing instant visibility and establishing a sense of trust even before a potential customer clicks your link.
By showing up first, you’re not just another choice—you’re the choice, making it easier for people to find, contact, and choose you over other options. Just look at all the clear contact information a searcher can see about your business when you snag a place on the map.
Google applies ranking factors that help sort out the crème of the crop. Let’s take a closer look at what those are.
What Are Google Maps’ Ranking Factors?
Google Maps operates on a series of ranking factors—all location-based.
That means Google carefully considers your location and your site user’s location, serving up easy-to-read details about your business when:
- •Your business is relevant to the user’s search terms
- •Your business is close to the user
- •Your business is authoritative, established, and beloved in your industry
Your business may be relevant, close to the searcher, and an industry authority, but if you don’t optimize your site and let Google know these details, you may miss out on your opportunity to claim your place in the maps pack.
In the next section, we’ll go over what you need to know about tuning up your web presence to put your business on the (Google) map.
How Do You Optimize Your Web Presence to Appear in and Rank High in Google Maps?
You need a digital marketing strategy integrating your business with Google Maps to secure a high rank and increase your online visibility. Knowing where to start will save you a lot of time and money. We’ve cut the fat and given you step-by-step instructions to make the process easier.
Follow our tips to show Google you’re a serious competitor. Before long, you’ll have mastered Maps and will be able to access up to 70 percent more leads in the form of clicks, questions, and calls.
Here’s what to do:
- •Establish your Google Maps business profile
- •Create or update your Google Business Profile
- •Fine-tune your website’s SEO
- •Focus on relevance when building backlinks
- •Ask your clients for reviews
- •Audit and update your name, address, and phone number (NAP) citations
Don’t worry. It’s not as complex as it sounds. Read on, and we’ll show you how to do it.
How Do You Add Your Business to Google Maps?
Without adding your business to Google Maps, there’s no way to let the search engine know you’re a well-established company ready to connect with and serve more clients.
The first thing you should do is build out your Google Maps business profile. This is as simple as opening a browser, going to Google Maps, and entering your company’s name into the search field.
Don’t worry if your company’s information isn’t already there. You can click the “Add a missing place to Google Maps” button and enter your company’s details.
Adding your company’s name, business category, and address will only take a minute. However, Google has a quick review and approval process, so don’t be surprised if it takes a little time before Google emails you to notify you about your information update.
How Do You Create a Google Business Profile?
Now that Google knows you want to be a candidate for a Maps position, let’s look at how to convey your industry authority to make it more likely your business will be selected for a place in the pack. This starts with spending some time making a Google Business Profile (GBP).
It’s important to optimize your GBP by filling out all the details (business hours, services, and a detailed description of what you offer). Include high-quality photos of your business, products, or services, and encourage your customers to leave positive reviews.
Regularly updating your profile with posts, promotions, or any changes in business information also signals to Google that your business is active and engaged. This helps build credibility and increases your chances of appearing prominently on Google Maps and in local search results.
Here’s what ours looks like:
Creating Your GBP: Step-by-Step
Create your Google Business Profile in the same place you added your business to the map by clicking the “Claim this business” button.
You can also go directly to the Google Business Profile page, where you’ll see this:
If you can’t find your business, type in its name or click the “Add your business to Google” button.
That’ll take you here:
Google has made it easy to follow their simple prompt to get your GBP listing up and running. Once it is, you can start asking your clients for reviews. You may have noticed reviews are a prominent feature of a GBP, and that’s no accident. People want to know about other consumers’ experiences with your brand, services, and products before they spend their hard-earned money with you.
Here’s what you need to know about collecting and encouraging client reviews. With a 4.7-star rating on Google, LinkNow has mastered the art of getting positive feedback. Below, we’ll share some of our top strategies to help you do the same.
What Is the Secret to Getting More Reviews?
Google Reviews has its own set of ranking considerations. There’s review score and quantity, as well as the keywords your clients use in their review’s body text. These all influence how your business appears in local search results and on Google Maps.
The more (positive) reviews your business gets, the better. Focus on delivering exceptional service that prompts customers to share their positive experiences. Make it easy for them to leave reviews by providing direct links and politely asking for feedback shortly after a purchase or service.
Here’s a checklist we use:
- •Google request review timing is everything. Request a review immediately after a successful service or purchase when the experience is fresh in your client’s mind. For example, you can ask them in person, by phone, or through a follow-up email.
- •Send a review request by creating a personalized message thanking your client and politely asking them to leave a review. Include a direct link to your Google Business Profile to make the process as simple as possible.
- •Post a review link on your website and social media. Use a “leave a review” button or link on your site and social profiles to encourage customers to share their experiences.
- •Monitor reviews and post a timely response. Show the people who take the time to leave reviews your appreciation, and when the review is negative, take the time to address concerns.
Responding to reviews—both positive and negative—also shows engagement and encourages others to share their opinions. This boosts your business’s visibility and credibility.
In the next section, we’ll explore website search engine optimization best practices to help your business appear in the Google Maps pack.
What Should You Do To Optimize Your Website’s SEO for Maps?
Optimized organic SEO elevates your company’s performance in Google Maps.
Optimization techniques that make the most impact on appearing in map packs include:
- •Using local keywords on landing pages
- •Embedding a Google Map on your site
- •Making your site mobile friendly
- •Adding schema markup to your site
What Are Some Examples of Local Keywords?
Local keywords are specific terms or phrases people search for when they’re looking for products or services in a particular geographic location. Incorporating these keywords into your website’s content can significantly improve your chances of appearing in local search results.
When users search for "best remodeling company in San Diego," for example, your site is more likely to be displayed prominently if it contains relevant local keywords. This increased visibility leads to more organic traffic, which can translate into more leads and customers.
Here are some examples of SEO-optimized local keywords for a remodeling company in San Diego:
- •San Diego kitchen remodeling
- •Bathroom remodeling San Diego
- •Home renovation San Diego
- •Best remodelers in San Diego
- •Affordable remodeling San Diego
Strategically place location-based keywords throughout your website to attract local customers actively searching for remodeling services in your area.
Why Should You Embed a Google Map on Your Site?
Adding Google Maps to your website helps customers find you and tells Google exactly where your business is located, which boosts your organic traffic. You can make it even more helpful by showing directions from popular spots like airports, train stations, or local attractions. This way, visitors get a better sense of how to reach you, no matter where they’re coming from.
While using Google Maps extensively can lead to some costs, adding it to a few important pages is worth it. It’s a simple way to provide directions and build a stronger connection with your audience. Plus, you’ll make your site more engaging and useful for anyone who wants to visit your business in person.
What Are the Advantages of Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly?
Google prioritizes websites optimized for mobile devices. This means if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, it may be penalized in search rankings, including Google Maps. Google wants to provide users with the best possible experience, and a mobile-friendly website is essential.
When users search for local businesses on their smartphones, Google is more likely to display results from websites that are easy to navigate and read on smaller screens.
What Is Schema Markup and Why Should You Add It to Your Website?
Schema markup is like giving search engines a cheat sheet to better understand your website’s content. It’s a way of adding structured data to your pages that tells Google exactly what each element represents. For example, if you’re selling a product, you can use schema markup to specify your product’s name, price, and availability.
You can also use Service Schema to outline the details of what you offer. For example, you can specify the type of service (plumbing repair, interior painting, etc.), service area, hours of operation, and contact information.
In our example below, you can see how we’ve added structured data to improve our site’s crawlability:
Use LocalBusiness Schema to add your business name, address, and phone number, and Review Schema to highlight customer ratings and testimonials. This added information assists search engines in categorizing your content accurately, and it makes your site eligible for rich snippets and a feature in Google’s map pack.
Why Should You Build Relevant Backlinks and How Do You Do It?
Backlinks—links from other websites that point to yours—are a cornerstone of a strong online presence. They’re a ranking factor and a good way to show Google that your business is a valuable part of your local community. When other reputable sites link to your business, it’s like receiving a vote of confidence, signaling to search engines that you’re a trusted resource in your area.
Start by building relationships with neighboring businesses and local organizations. Offer to write guest posts for their blogs, mention them in your content, or collaborate on events that support the community. You can also list your business on local directories and join the chamber of commerce to further establish your presence.
Consider sharing newsworthy updates or press releases with local media, participating in interviews, or sponsoring local events. The key is to focus on genuine partnerships that naturally lead to links back to your site. This approach helps Google see your business as an authority in your field and a strong local player.
What Is a NAP Citation?
A NAP citation is simply your business’s Name, Address, and Phone number listed across the web. Think of it as your business’s digital signature. You’ll find NAP citations on online directories, social media profiles, and anywhere else your business is mentioned. They’re crucial for local SEO because they help search engines confirm your location and verify that your business is legitimate.
The more consistent your NAP information is across different platforms, the better your chances of ranking higher in local search results and showing up on Google Maps. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your NAP details are identical everywhere—no slight variations or typos. Even minor inconsistencies can confuse search engines and weaken your local SEO efforts.
Use Our Proven Tips To Rise to the Top of the Google Maps Pack
LinkNow Media is a digital marketing innovator that helps small and medium-sized companies create a strong web platform and presence that facilitates business growth, revenue increases, and a strong connection with their target audiences.
We write these guides to help hardworking people like you reach more potential clients. Did you find our tips on tangible ways you can help your organization rise to the top of the Google Maps pack helpful? If you need a hand with any of the steps mentioned above or would like to speak to us about your online marketing strategy and clarify your questions about Google Maps, you can reach us during regular business hours at 1-(888)-676-7186.
