Step-by-Step Guide To Rank Higher on Google Maps
Having a strong Google Maps presence is crucial for businesses today. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Google Maps has become the go-to place for consumers to find and engage with local businesses. Getting found and rank higher on Google Maps search results and maps can bring tremendous visibility, foot traffic, and sales for local businesses. However, with increasing competition, it has become harder for businesses to rank higher and stand out on Google Maps.
The good news is that, with some strategic optimizations and actions, you can significantly improve your Google Maps presence and rankings.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover 15 proven tips and steps to rank your business higher on Google Maps in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Optimize your Google My Business listing with complete and accurate info
- Encourage customer reviews and generate more 5-star ratings
- Build quality backlinks to your GMB listing page
- Create and verify your business on other relevant directories
- Focus on earning more Google Map actions like directions, calls, and website visits
- Leverage Google Posts and other features to stand out and engage customers
- Improve your on-page SEO and content to drive more local searches
- Run Google My Business campaigns and promotions
- Analyze your GMB analytics insights regularly to improve
- Build a local citation foundation with 30+ high-quality directory listings
- Create location pages and structure your website for local SEO
- Produce local content focusing on your region andGeo-intent keywords
- Encourage customers to check in, post photos, and engage with your listing
- Monitor reviews and listings on other sites and aggregators
- Stay active and leverage Google Maps community options
15 Best Steps to Rank Higher on Google Maps
- Completely Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
- Generate More 5-star Customer Reviews.
- Build Quality Backlinks to GMB Listing
- Create and Verify Listings on Relevant Directories
- Earn More Google Map Actions
- Leverage Google Posts and Other GMB Features
- Improve On-Page SEO and Website Content
- Run Google My Business Campaigns and Promotions
- Analyze Your Google My Business Insights Regularly
- Build a Strong Local Citation Foundation
- Optimize Your Website for Local SEO
- Produce Locally-Focused Content
- Encourage Check-Ins, Photos, and Posts
- Monitor and Manage Listings on Other Sites
- Engage With the Local Google Maps Community
1. Completely Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
The first step is to make sure your Google My Business (GMB) listing is completely optimized and updated.
Your GMB listing serves as your business’s digital storefront on Google. It contains all the essential business information—name, address, phone number, opening hours, photos, services, attributes, and more.
Here are key things to optimize in your GMB listing:
Provide Accurate Business Information
- Business Name: Enter your official, legal business name. Avoid abbreviations or extra descriptors.
- Address: Input your exact street address using city, state, and ZIP code. Avoid PO boxes.
- Phone Number: Add your primary publicly listed phone number. Set up Google Voice if needed.
- Opening Hours: Keep your hours updated, including special hours for holidays.
- Category: Select the category that best represents your core services. Add additional relevant categories if applicable.
- Services: Include all main services, offerings, and expertise. Add brand names or certifications if applicable.
- Description: Write a detailed description highlighting your key services, offerings, specialties, and expertise.
- Website / Appointment Link: Add your website URL and online appointment/booking link if applicable.
- Payment Options: Specify all payment types you accept.
- Accessibility Options: Specify handicap access, multi-lingual services, etc.
Upload High-Quality Photos
Add photos that showcase your business location, signage, storefront, interior, products, services, staff, etc. Key tips:
- Have at least 10 photos, including your cover photo and logo.
- Capture interior and exterior products, services, employees, and customers.
- Ensure proper lighting, high resolution, variety, and relevance in photos.
- Avoid stock photos, graphics, drawings, renders, or blurry images.
- Show recent photos that match your current branding and offerings.
Leverage Attributes
Relevant attributes, such as parking availability, Wi-Fi, delivery options, etc., can help customers learn more about your business. Add all applicable qualities accurately.
Verify the Listing
After optimizing your listing, verify it officially via mail to confirm ownership. This adds a verified checkmark.
Having a complete and optimized GMB listing builds authority and provides Google with more signals to understand your business and serve it for relevant searches.
2. Generate More 5-star Customer Reviews.
Customer reviews are a major local SEO ranking factor. Positive local reviews help build trust and credibility for your business.
Here are some ways to generate more 5-star Google reviews:
- Add a Review Link: Place a visible “Write a Review” link on your website and email signatures.
- Ask Customers: Politely request happy customers to leave an honest review after providing service.
- Offer Incentives: Provide a special offer, discount, or freebie for leaving a review.
- Highlight Reviews: Showcase and appreciate positive reviews on social media.
- Respond to Reviews: Thank customers or politely address negative comments. This shows you value feedback.
- Analyze Insights: Check your GMB analytics to see review trends, sentiments, reviewers, etc.
Aim to generate at least 30+ high-quality 5-star reviews. The more, the better. This will build social proof and enhance your local rankings.
3. Build Quality Backlinks to GMB Listing
Backlinks from relevant local websites to your GMB listing page can improve visibility and local SEO.
Here are some backlink opportunities to leverage:
- Local citation listings: Directory submissions provide a backlink
- Sponsor local events/teams: Request a listing link as a sponsor
- Local partnerships: Partner with complementary local businesses and exchange links
- Chamber of Commerce: See if your local chamber lists members online
- Industry associations: Join local associations and get listed on their site
- Local press releases/news: Submit press releases to local news outlets and ask for a link
- Local blogs: Guest post or get mentioned on local blogs
- Review sites: Listings on Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc. provide a backlink
Choose quality over quantity when building backlinks. Relevance is key—ensure the sites linking to your listing relate to your local community and industry.
4. Create and Verify Listings on Relevant Directories
Besides your GMB listing, creating and verifying listings on additional relevant directories can improve visibility.
Some top local directories to consider include:
- Yelp
- TripAdvisor
- YellowPages
- MerchantCircle
- CitySearch
- Hotfrog
- Manta
- Judy’s Book
- Better Business Bureau
- Chamber of Commerce sites
- Local/state tourism sites
- Local/state business directories
- Relevant industry or niche directories
- Local service review sites
Consistency is key: use the same business name, address, and phone number on all directories. Also, thoroughly complete all sections of each listing for maximum visibility.
5. Earn More Google Map Actions
Google Map actions like getting directions, making calls, visiting your website, etc., directly from search results signal user engagement.
More map actions can positively influence local rankings. Here are some ways to drive actions:
Directions
- Ensure the location and street address are accurate in the GMB listing.
- List driving directions and parking instructions on your website.
- Prompt site visitors to “Get Directions” to your location.
Calls
- List the phone number prominently on your GMB listing and site.
- Use clickable phone links that enable one-tap calling.
- Offer an incentive for calling, like a discount or free consultation.
Clicks to Website
- Keep your website updated and optimized for mobile.
- Feature your key services, offerings, events, products, etc., prominently on the home page.
- Use geo-localized on-page content to attract local searchers.
Reviews
- Make your GMB review link visible across platforms to collect more reviews.
- Respond to reviewers publicly on GMB and privately if needed.
6. Leverage Google Posts and Other GMB Features
Google Posts lets you share updates, events, offers, and more on your GMB listing to engage customers.
Other features like Q&A, updates, messaging, etc., also help listings stand out. Ways to leverage:
- Posts: Share events, offers, news, human interest stories, etc.
- Q&A: Answer FAQs from customers transparently.
- Updates: Highlight new offerings, achievements, etc.
- Messaging: Enable messaging to allow direct customer communication.
- Food Ordering & Reservations: Enable if you offer dining-in, pick up or delivery.
- Appointments: Allow booking appointments if applicable.
- Products: Add products and services if you sell offerings online.
7. Improve On-Page SEO and Website Content
Your website is a crucial hub driving local searches to your GMB listing. Optimizing your on-page SEO and content for local searches can multiply your visibility.
Key on-page optimizations:
- Local keywords: Target popular local search queries in your content. E.g. “pizza places in Los Angeles”
- Business name, address, phone: Your website should prominently feature your business name, address, and phone number.
- Location pages: Each location should Have dedicated location pages featuring your address, hours, contact form, etc.
- Page titles and meta descriptions: Include your service area, city name, or exact location in titles/descriptions. E.g., Best Pizza in Los Angeles.
- Content structure: Separate your website content based on the geographic regions you serve.
- Calls-to-Action: Use CTAs to get driving directions, call, book appointments, or visit your location.
- Local schema markup: Use schema for your business name, images, address, phone number, and opening hours.
8. Run Google My Business Campaigns and Promotions
Google My Business campaigns allow you to promote your business profile directly in Google Search and Maps.
Some best practices for successful GMB campaigns:
- Laser-target: Geo-target your campaigns within 5-10 miles of your locations.
- Optimize ads: Include your business name, exact address, key services, calls-to-action, contact info, etc.
- Feature deals: Highlight time-bound deals, discounts, or exclusive offers.
- Analyze insights: Track clicks, calls, directions, and conversions to optimize further.
- Measure ROI: Calculate revenue from campaigns vs. spending to determine profitability.
- Automate: Use rules to automate bid adjustments and scale top-converting campaigns.
GMB campaigns can efficiently turn local searches into leads and customers for your business.
9. Analyze Your Google My Business Insights Regularly
GMB provides valuable analytics under the “Insights” section. Monitoring these regularly gives intelligence to improve your presence.
Key metrics to analyze:
- Search queries: See the top customer search queries driving traffic. Optimize for popular queries.
- Views: Monitor total business profile views from Google. More views signal visibility.
- Direction Requests: Track how many requested directions to improve discoverability.
- Phone calls: See call volume and optimize listing to drive more calls.
- Website clicks: Analyze click volume to your website to boost engagement.
- Customer actions: Check the top customer actions taken, such as visiting your website, calling, or getting directions.
- Peak hours: Determine your peak hours for customer actions so you can staff and prepare accordingly.
10. Build a Strong Local Citation Foundation
Citations refer to directory listings referencing your business name, address, and phone number consistently.
You are building a foundation of 30+ consistent, high-quality citations that signal to Google that your business is established and trustworthy.
Some top citation sources:
- Core listing sites: Google My Business, Apple Maps, Bing Places, Yelp
- Yellow Pages sites: YellowPages, Superpages, Yellow Book
- Review sites: TripAdvisor, CitySearch, Judy’s Book
- Niche sites: Relevant industry, location, or profession-specific directories
- Local sites: City/local chamber directories, visitor sites, local newspapers
- National sites: Manta, Hotfrog, BBB
Structuring citations correctly is crucial:
- Match your GMB listing exactly for a business name, address, and phone number.
- Format the phone number consistently, without punctuation, like 1234567890
- Include suite or unit numbers in the address if applicable.
11. Optimize Your Website for Local SEO
Tailoring your website for local SEO makes it compelling for searches within your geographic service area.
Key optimizations:
- Use city name/zip: Include your service city and zip code in page titles and content.
- Create location pages: Dedicate a page for each location featuring its address, hours, contact details, etc.
- Localize site content: Structure your content, products, or services per location/region.
- Promote your service area: List the geographic areas, cities, neighborhoods, and zip codes you serve.
- Add schema markup: Use LocalBusiness schema for your address, phone, opening hours, etc.
- Get reviews for each location: Aim to get location-specific reviews on Google and other platforms.
- Highlight locations in design: Embedded your location addresses in site headers, footers, or contact sections.
Optimizing for local SEO signals to Google that your business caters to local customers in your specific service area.
12. Produce Locally-Focused Content
Creating content optimized for your geographic service area and local search intent helps boost visibility.
Local content ideas:
- “Near me” guides: “Best pizzerias near me” / “Brunch spots near me” etc.
- Local city guides: “Best Coffee Shops in San Diego” / “Top Dallas Steak Restaurants,” etc.
- Geo-targeted articles: Target popular searches around your location, like “Happy Hour Los Angeles.”
- Location-specific pages: Dedicate pages showcasing offerings near each location.
- Local events/news: Post about local events, deals, or news related to your business industry.
- Neighborhood/suburb guides: Create content on specific regions within your service area.
- Hyperlocal product guides: “Best Cell Phone Repair Shops in Downtown Dallas,” etc.
Optimizing content for local intent helps you connect with high-intent searches from your geographic target audience.
13. Encourage Check-Ins, Photos, and Posts
Check-ins, photos, and posts on your GMB listing by customers help drive engagement.
Ways to promote this:
- Place signage encouraging check-ins at your location entrance or point of sale.
- Train staff to politely ask happy customers to check in or share photos.
- Offer an incentive for check-ins like a special discount or free item.
- Share user-generated content like customer photos on your social pages.
- Respond to user posts and reviews publicly when appropriate.
- Promote patrons to share experiences about your location using a branded hashtag.
User-generated content and engagement make your GMB listing more lively, personal, and authentic.
14. Monitor and Manage Listings on Other Sites
Besides Google, you also want to maintain an optimized, consistent presence on third-party review and listing sites like:
- Yelp
- TripAdvisor
- YellowPages
- Apple Maps
- Bing
- FourSquare
- Hotel booking sites
Key aspects to monitor regularly:
- Listing accuracy and consistency across sites
- Reviews and review responses
- Adherence to the guidelines and policies of each platform
- Q&A or other public conversations about your business
- Competitor comparisons on each site
Actively managing your listings and reputation across sites maintains your visibility and perception.
15. Engage With the Local Google Maps Community
Google Maps offers forums focused on local business topics that enable networking and knowledge sharing.
Ways to engage with the GMB community:
- Join discussions and provide helpful insights where possible
- Connect with other local business owners
- Follow and participate in Local Guides Connect
- Discover insider tips, product announcements, and resources
- Give back by answering questions where you have expertise
- Stay updated on Google best practices and help content
Tapping into Google’s local community helps you maximize your Maps presence through shared knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Ranking higher on Google Maps takes effort but delivers immense rewards. Local customers rely on Google to find businesses like yours. By consistently applying these best practices, you can enhance your visibility and prominence in local search results.
Focus on providing a stellar customer experience. The combination of positive word-of-mouth, reviews, engagement, and authority-building signals will steadily increase your Google Maps ranking over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get my business to show up on Google Maps?
Create or optimize your Google My Business listing with accurate info and verify it. This will list your business on Google Maps.
How do I manage my business information on Google Maps?
Use Google My Business to manage your listing info, such as address, hours, photos, etc. Log in to edit your listing.
Does having more Google reviews help with Maps ranking?
Yes, more positive Google reviews can improve your local search ranking on Maps. Aim for 30+ high-quality 5-star reviews.
Should I encourage customers to post photos on my Google listing?
Yes, user-generated photos and content on your listing help boost engagement. Politely prompt happy customers to post pictures.
How often should I post updates on Google My Business?
1-2 times per week is ideal. Share news, events, offers, etc., to keep your listing active and engaging.
What are some easy ways to get more customers from Google Maps?
Running Google My Business ad campaigns, optimizing your listing for discovery, driving map actions like directions, and encouraging reviews.
