Google Maps is an important tool for businesses looking to connect with local consumers. It’s also a crucial component of local SEO, and there are several ways to optimize your business listing for Google Maps searches.
Start by claiming your Google Business Profile account. Make sure to keep your information consistent and update it regularly.
Embedding a Google Map on Your Website
Having a Google Map embedded on your website can give your local SEO a significant boost. Optimizing your Map Pack listing and your website for local SEO can help you get in the top spot of local search results and drive customers to your business.
There are several ways to embed a Google Map on your website, but the simplest way is to use an Iframe code. To do this, search for your business name in Google Maps, click the Share icon and select Embed a map. This will display an HTML window that you can copy and paste onto your website’s contact page.
Another option is to use a WordPress plugin like StoreMapper, which makes it easy to add a Google Map to your website using a Gutenberg block, shortcode, widget or PHP code. The plugin also allows you to choose different map styles and add a custom marker. The resulting map will be responsive and adjust to fit the size of the device it’s being viewed on.
Optimizing for the Google Map Pack
Google Maps is a great tool for local businesses. Appearing in the Google Map Pack (formerly called the “Google 3-pack”) can boost sign-ups, website traffic, and phone calls significantly.
You can optimize your business for the Map Pack by completing your Google Business Profile, adding keywords to your business description, and getting positive online reviews from satisfied customers. You can also optimize your website by enriching it with relevant keywords and backlinks.
The Map Pack prioritizes businesses that are within proximity of searchers. That’s why it’s important to tell Google which areas you service, if your business has multiple locations.
Another factor is citations. Having a lot of high-quality citations can improve your ranking in the Map Pack. You can also get citations by making mentions of your business on local directories and social media pages. Google takes into account these signals when determining a business’s position in the Map Pack.
Creating a Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free tool that allows you to manage your local business information across Search and Maps. You can use it to respond to reviews, upload menus or product catalogs, add photos, and much more. GBP also helps you rank higher in the Map Pack and may lead to more phone calls or website visits. GBP requires verification to ensure that you are the rightful owner of the listing.
A business can have more than one Google Business Profile account if it operates in multiple areas, such as a car dealership that has separate listings for service, sales, and parts. However, the company cannot create multiple listings for the same location with the intention of spamming search results on Google Maps or Search.
Having a Google Business Profile account is essential for small businesses looking to compete with larger brands in their niche. It helps your business connect with customers in a timely manner and provides you with a great platform to monitor the success of your local SEO efforts.
Using Google Ads
If you want to increase your business’s local exposure, improve online visibility, and generate new customers, optimizing your Google Maps listing for the Google Local Pack is a must. Moreover, ranking high in the Maps Pack offers many benefits like more credibility and trust, increased traffic inflow, and higher ROI.
Google’s Local Pack features local businesses with their NAP data, reviews and ratings, a brief summary, business hours, price range, a photo, and a link to the website. It’s displayed above traditional text-only or links-based search results, making it one of the most valuable pieces of online real estate for any business.
In addition to offering consumers crucial information about the business, Google Maps listings are interactive, allowing users to call or book services from the listing itself. This feature is particularly beneficial for hotel and restaurant owners, as it boosts sign-ups, phone calls, and website visits. The Local Pack also showcases customer reviews, increasing a company’s credibility and trustworthiness.