Google is synonymous with change, so it should be no surprise that the Google My Business platform is undergoing another transformation. Not to worry, this popular local business management tool has been through many names over the years.
What does this mean for your firm?
Single business listings are now being encouraged to manage their presence directly on Google Maps. Google My Business will be rebranded as Google Business Profile to support larger businesses with multiple locations.
Like before, your Google Maps listing is an essential marketing tool for generating client leads. However, it’s not enough to list your firm. In order to be discovered by new clients and outshine your competition, your listing needs to rank high in the search results.
There are several factors in addition to proximity used by Google Maps when ranking business listings. Results are based on relevance, distance, and prominence.
Boost Your Relevance
You can take several steps to optimize your firm’s listing for a higher ranking among local search results. The more information your listing provides, the better chances it has to rank higher in results.
To start, ensure the name and address of your firm is consistent across all digital platforms. Minor variations, such as Main St vs. Main Street, can make a difference. Next, always provide a local telephone number with the area code of your location. If your firm uses call tracking, list your tracked number as your primary business phone number and your main number as your secondary number.
Make sure to list your firm’s operating hours, including holidays. Updating your hours regularly will help boost your ranking by signaling to Google that your firm is an active and trustworthy listing.
Don’t overlook the importance of properly categorizing your firm. Choose the option that best represents the core offering of your firm and select any other applicable classifications as secondary categories.
Finally, create a knock-out business description. This section should inform readers (and Google) about your firm’s unique attributes. Don’t forget to include keywords in your description.
Go The Distance
Google Maps and Search considers how far a search result is from the location term used in a search. However, this does not mean the closest firm matching a user’s search will appear first. If your firm is further away but more accurately provides what a user is searching for, your location can rank higher in local results. The only way to accomplish this is by asserting your firm’s prominence.
Prominence Is King
Google gathers information about your firm through links, articles, and reviews to determine a listing’s prominence. The number of reviews you have and the number of positive ratings can improve your firms’ local ranking.
Assert your prominence and improve your Google Maps ranking by posting high-quality and compelling photos.
Use your website to rank higher by ensuring it is responsive across various devices and screen sizes. Embed a google map and incorporate location-based keywords on your site to help boost your Google Maps ranking.
Following these simple steps, along with regular posting, will ensure your Google Map listing remains front and center of user searches.
