Google Maps Marketing is simply optimizing your business’s presence on Google Maps. It is easy to rank higher in search results, which will allow you to increase your chances of success. Your chances of appearing in a Google Maps search for the type of business you are interested in in your locality will increase if your profile optimization is high.
Why is Google Maps Marketing So Important?
Google handles approximately 3.5 billion mobile searches daily and accounts for almost 88%. Local Google searches can also translate directly into sales with 76% of those who search for local products visiting a store within a day.
Google Maps marketing can influence Google’s view of your business. It also affects how it appears on organic search results in what’s called the “local 3-pack”. Google Map Results (local 3-pack), appear at the top page of this Google Search. Google Maps is a great way to connect with thousands of potential customers. Your chances of being found are exponentially lower if your business is not in the 3-pack.
Google Maps Marketing is therefore generally considered to be the most important aspect of local SEO.
Setting up and optimizing your Google My Business (GMB), Listing
It is completely free to create a Google My Business listing (GMB). It’s not an advertisement, technically speaking. You are simply telling Google that your business exists. Ultimately, however, your goal is to be ranked higher than your competition.
Google My Business: Setting Up
For more information on setting up your Google My Business listing, click here
- Sign in to Google and go to https://www.google.com/business/
- Next, locate and create a listing about your business. Sometimes, other factors or inputs can lead to an impromptu listing of your company. If this happens, make sure to claim it and rectify it.
- Please complete all information as completely as possible.
- Be sure to choose the right category and add a contact.
- Verify your account. You can do this by calling Google, emailing Google, or sending a traditional mail message.
- Quality photos are essential.
- Double-check your information.
Google Maps Considers Many Factors When Ranking Results
It is the distance between the person performing the search and the relevant business category that is most obvious. More important than the accuracy and completeness of your GMB list is its accuracy. This could be the deciding factor between you and your competitors when it comes to who appears in the search results. The positive sentiment (good reviews), can also be decisive.
Get Good Reviews
Numerous companies have systems for generating positive reviews. Some customers will be asked to review their transactions by the customer directly. Others businesses have requested reviews prominently at checkout. Some have even used QR codes.
A business card with a thank you note attached can be a great way to leave a review request. A simple gesture such as a free air freshener could make a big difference. It’s a good business practice to include a link that allows customers to leave a Google Review in all your promotional materials.
Bad reviews?
Be calm when dealing with negative reviews. You can overcome them by working hard and gaining more positive reviews. If you receive a negative review, apologize and accept responsibility. Offer to make it right, even if it was not your fault.This post was written by Kristian D’An. Kristian is the owner and SEO Specialist at Lux Digital Marketing, a St Petersburg SEO company. Kristian has been optimizing websites successfully for over 7 years. He has helped his clients achieve the #1 position on Google in several different industries.