6 Ways to Rank Higher on Google Maps in 2020

Your Google Map listing is the most important and essential marketing tool for your Business. It will help you to get discovered by potential customers, stand apart from your competitors, and generate more revenue, all for free. But all of these benefits are really achievable only if your listing has very strong visibility, and just because of your business listing is listed in an area does not mean that Google will automatically rank you for searches in your area.

There are many ranking factors Google uses when it comes to ranking business listings. So it is not a piece of cake.

In this article, you’ll go through 6 tactics to get your Google Maps listing to rank higher in the result and get all of the associated benefits.

Why we need to rank higher on Google Maps?

Research shows that Google Maps is the most trustworthy app for 69% of consumers. Ad consumers rarely look at the lower results when they’re looking for a place to go, so it’s important to make sure that your Google Map listing is optimized to show on top for relevant searches.

One more reason to rank higher on Google Maps is that the top three results of any search in Google display Google Map listing. With almost 47% of searches on Google have local intent, showing up in that 3 pack listing can greatly increase the visibility of your business.

How to get your business rank higher on Google Maps:

So how do you manage to rank your Google Map listing in Google? Just like how there are On-page SEO and Off-page SEO for Local or International website SEO, there are on-listing and off-listing optimizations for business listing SEO.

First, you need to get listed on Google Maps and claim your business listing.

Add Information to Your Google Maps listing:

So now, you have a Google Map listing, you are armed and ready to optimize it for higher ranking in search results. The more information you provide in your listing, the higher it will rank in search results. To add more information to your listing, log in to your Google account.

Select the “info” tab that includes your name, category, address, and many other information regarding your business.

Google Maps rank listing it can trust, the more consistent you provide about your business across the web, the higher you’ll rank. Make sure all the information is the same in every listing you’re making on the web like on the website, Facebook profile, and more.

Use local mobile number

Google does not usually trust on toll-free numbers because these types of numbers are used for spam calls. Use a local phone number with the area code of your business location. This will also verify for searchers that your business is located in that area, and it will help you to rank higher on Google.

Keep your hours Updated

Google Maps listing also tells peoples if that business is open, closed, or opening or closing soon. Updating these hours are signal to Google that you are active and trustworthy, and this will help you to rank higher.

Write a description and properly categorize your business

The description of your business is the most critical part of your listing. Your listing’s description should provide the big picture of your business to help visitors. It should be written in a tone that aligns with your brand to help to establish a better connection. Be sure to include your keywords in your description as this will help your listing on Google to rank not just for searches that contain your business name but for searches that include products or services.

In terms of category, for the primary category, choose the one that best represents the core offering your business. If any other categories apply, choose them as the secondary categories.

Add Images to your Google Maps listing

Google loves photos, especially when you upload it to your Google Maps listings. First, because it signals that you are active on listing and worthy of ranking higher in results. Second, because Google’s photo-recognition technology is advancing and Google starts showing photos in local results. And third, from the SEO point of view, Google loves what consumers love, and consumers love to see photos in Google Maps listings.

If you don’t add photos to your listing, it will show users a generic map instead of your store image.

So to improve your listing ranking, upload high-quality photos to your listing that captures what it likes to be at your business.

You can do this by going to the Photo section in your Google Maps Dashboard. From there, you’ll be able to drag photos at once.

Consolidate your Google Maps listing

Google will discredit your business listing if your listing has multiple phone numbers or locations listed for one actual business. Cut out duplicate listings and information and make sure that your one true listing will update and rank.

Post Regularly on Your Google Maps Listing

Like Facebook, Instagram, and many other social media platforms, you can publish posts that appear on Your Google Map listing. Regularly posting send signals to Google that you actively manage your listing and serious about it, which it considers when ranking.

In addition, when visitors are on Google, they have high intent, so through these posts, you can easily engage with your audience.

Add Local Keywords in Your Website

This is the best way to use your website to boost your Google Maps ranking is to target it for local search. This will help your website to rank higher in Google Search but also helps to rank your Google Map Business Listing.

SO be sure to include location-based keywords to the main page of your site, such as homepage, contact us page, about us page, products, services page, and even in blog posts. Not only include your keywords in the title of the pages but also to the headings, body text, image name, image tags, and captions, or even in URLs.

The Bottom Line

Business listings on Google Maps are becoming more advanced, allowing users to quickly get the information they need.

By following these tips, you’ll surely get your business showing the top of Google Maps, and you’ll experience the increased visibility, engagement, and revenue come along with it.