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Digital marketing is no longer a choice or alternative for businesses with potential. Reaching more and more clients has become a primary goal for every business. Naturally, most businesses prfer availing the advanced tecniques of digital marketing. These modern techniques or tools are extremely effective as they boost the presence of the business and website along with making them apprear oin the leading places of the Search Engine Result pages (SERPs). One of the strongest marketing tools that your business possesses is your Google Maps listing. It allows prospective clients to find you, stands out against the other competitors, and necessitates more inquiries, all without advertising expense. Though, these benefits will only be realized when your listing is very visible. Being on the map is not a sure way of Google ranking you highly in local searches in that region. Though being near helps you to be ranked higher, it is not the only factor that Google considers. You need to learn and implement established optimization strategies in order to gain a better ground. This is a guide on ten actionable tips to better and augment your ranking in Google Maps, and open the door to the highest potential of Google Maps SEO. What Is Google Maps SEO? Google Maps SEO is an effort to ensure that your business is more visible in the search results of Google Maps. In the case of large organizations, this can be discovered more, whereas in the case of small and mid-sized business, it can be a game-changer. Google My Business Notably, Google Maps SEO does not only focus on being visible. It is all about placing your business in the right location to get the right audience. Google Maps has the strongest ability to enhance your online presence and local visibility to a large degree when applied well within a wider digital marketing strategy. Why is ranking higher on Google Maps important? Research indicates that almost 9 out of every 10 consumers use Google Maps in order to find local services or places to visit. Humans are known to only browse through the first few entries, and thus it is important to make sure that your profile is well-optimizedwell-optimized such that it is ranked among the top searches on the relevant search engines. Also, the data indicates that the majority of users receive business listing landing as a result of the search with the keyword ("discovery"), approximately 84 per cent of the time, but not by the business name per se. It implies that your listing needs to come up high in the search results of the keywords that are usually searched by your potential customers. The other significant advantage is that it is visible in the Google Local 3-Pack. Google Maps results also occupy the first three search results on the general Google search page when typing a location-based query. This is because 46 per cent of all Google searches are local intent, and, therefore, appearing in this desirable section can expose you to drastic improvements in terms of exposure. Finally, what you can do to increase the ranking also increases the overall quality of your listing and its potential to interact. Having 86 per cent of consumers visit Google Maps to judge a business, a fully optimized listing will provide consumers with an increased number of options to contact, interact with, and eventually select your business. The following are some relevant information and statistics that illustrate the importance of ranking higher on Google Maps. The information listed below is accepted and approved by noted SEO experts: Google Maps continues to be the most established navigational application. More than 90% of users utilize Google Maps. Google Maps has more than 2 billion active users per month globally. About 60% of users prefer using this premium map to look for a local business on their mobile handset daily. How to get your business listing to rank higher on Google Maps You will have to optimize your listings like you would to web pages and off-page in terms of search engine optimization to get your business to rank higher in Google Maps. Google Maps SEO is not an exception, as it is a process that implies on-listing and off-listing optimization. However, before you start optimization, initially it is necessary to make sure that your business is listed and claimed on the Google Maps. 1. Add your business to Google Maps It is impossible to optimize your Google Maps without an active listing. You may proceed in case you already have one. Otherwise, or even in doubt, here is the way to be certain: Go to google.com/maps or the Google Maps mobile application and use your business name in the search box. In case it appears in the suggestions together with a location, there is already your business in the list--get to the next step. Assuming your business is not visible, there will be a choice of adding the most missing places to Google Maps. Choosing this alternative will encourage you to provide your business name, category, and address. You are also able to add other info like the operating hours, phone numbers and photos to create a complete, correct listing. What is essential to understand is that anyone can contribute a business to Google Maps. This means that you might already have a listing even though you did not make it. Not to be worried--the listing is solely in the possession of the actor who claims by proving that he is the owner of a business. That is the following critical step towards your better ranking. 2. Claim your Google Maps business listing When you find your business in Google Maps, the next important thing to do is to claim your listing. When an unclaimed listing gets created, it tends to have very limited information (names, category and location). It is by claiming that you are able to add rich information, which Google highly appreciates with regard to visibility. The more a profile is filled and filled out, the more likely it will be ranked, and most of the steps taken to optimize a profile cannot be performed until ownership is checked. In order to claim your listing, you will need a free Google Business account. Unless you already have one, open your listing on Google Maps and choose the option of Claim this business or Own this business? Thereafter, the verification steps are to be followed. Assuming you do not have a Google Business Profile, you will have to create one to claim the listing. 3. Add information to your Google Maps business listing Once you have connected your Google Maps listing to your Google Business account, it will be possible to optimize your listing to make it more visible during local searches. As noted above, the listing that contains more precise and full information is going to rank higher. Sign in with your Google account and control your listing in Google Search (by simply searching your business name) or the Google Business Profile Manager, which comes in handy when doing this across multiple locations. Click on Editing profile to refer back to the basic information about your business name, category, address, service areas, working hours, special hours, phone number, website, products, services, and business description, among others. Each section contributes to trying to identify your business in Google and gives you a better chance of being at the top of Google Maps. Be Consistent When Using Your Name and Address: Google puts a lot of emphasis on businesses that it believes can be relied upon, and one of the indicators of reliability is consistency of information on the internet. Make sure that your business name is the same everywhere it is posted. E.g. in case your official name is North Shore Wellness Centre, write it in the given format on your Google Business Profile - not such shortenings as N. Shore Wellness Centre or North Shore Wellness Ctr. It must also be the same with your web, social media accounts, review sites, and directories. Use a Local Phone Number: Google does not use toll-free lines, but instead local contact numbers. All numbers starting with 800 or 877 can be compared to spam, and it is better to avoid them. Local area code not only makes a customer establish trust with Google, but it also makes the customer feel that you are actually in their area. Mention Your Tracked and Main Number: When you use call tracking, enter the number that is tracked as your primary and business number as the second one. This gives you the opportunity to gauge the performance of calls and yet gives Google a chance to match your business with other listings and ensure that you are a legitimate business. Maintain Accurate Business Hours: It is also evident in the listing of your business on Google Maps whether it is open, closed, or about to close. It is recommended to renew your hours to allow Google to see you as a working, reliable business. It also makes sure that your customers would not go there and see that your venue is closed down- something that may also result in a bad review and eventually a low ranking. Create and Use an Impressive Description to Reflect Your Business: A Business description must provide an idea of what you do, what your strengths are and what your brand sounds like. It is only natural that in the description, you are including keywords that are relevant in order to allow Google to relate your listing with the search results for your products or services and not only your name as a business. Select the Most Appropriate Categories of Business: The ranking is heavily dependent on what category you choose. Select the suitable or applicable primary category that best represents your core service as your primary category, and then add any secondary categories that are relevant. Google does not have custom categories, but typing in whatever you are offering will provide you with appropriate options to make a choice. 4. Add photos to your Google Maps business listing Google rewards rankings of listings that remain active, and photo uploading is among the most effective indicators of activity. Pictures will make your listing seem more relevant, enhance the number of users engaging, and increase your presence in local search results. Given that Google would rather do what its users want, and its users love to view pictures, it is necessary to include visuals. In the absence of your photos, Google will show you a blank map, and this is not going to draw in any attention. In an effort to build your Google Maps ranking, be sure to post high-quality and clear images of your space, products, team, or the experience that your customers should expect. 5. Get Genuine and Favourable Google Reviews Due to the importance of customer sentiment in Google, listings that have frequent and positive reviews have a better ranking position. Although a Google Maps listing will automatically allow reviews, they will have to be collected with a hand, and this must be done regular. Request happy shoppers to leave comments, and always reply to comments you get. Considerate replies motivate more clients to post reviews and curb the adverse nature of unfavorable ones. Your response to me also reveals competency and a high level of customer care- attributes valued by Google and its prospective customers. 6. Consolidate Your Google Maps Listings Google may become confused by having several listings in the same business, either with duplicate addresses, old phone numbers, or old location-related data and undermine your ranking. Clean up your profile and delete any duplicates, and also have only one verified listing that is accurate. One, a definite listing is what Google believes in you as a business and will increase your likelihood of a high ranking. 7. Post Regularly to Your Google Maps Business Listing Publishing updates on your Google Maps listing will enable you to post updates akin to those on social media. Having this section alive is an indication to Google that you are always updating your profile, and this is one of the aspects of ranking. The frequent posting also ensures that you capture the high-intent users who are already visiting to get the services or products similar to yours. With these posts, you can showcase offers, updated information, and place timely information before customers who are willing to act. 8. Always Insist on Making Your Website Responsive. The first step is to make sure your site is completely responsive, i.e. to make sure it works well on all devices and screen sizes. Google Maps listings will send people directly to your site, and over 60 per cent of Google searches occur on mobile devices; therefore, your site should be capable of providing a direct user experience. Should visitors land on a page that is slow to load, which forces them to zoom in, or has broken elements, it is considered bad usability by Google. Consequently, your Google Maps rating may fall because of the decreased trust and interaction. 9. Find and Implement Local Keywords for Your Website The other useful trick to enhance your ranking in Google Maps is to prepare your site for local keywords. Although this increases your visibility on Google Search, it also makes Google know your geographical relevance, which can enhance your positioning on Google Maps. Use location-based words all over important pages, including your home page, contact page, service pages, about page, and even blog posts. Not only should these keywords be put in titles, but also in headings, body text, meta descriptions, image alt tags, captions, and URLs. 10. Integrate Google Maps into Your Website. You can always add a Google Map extension to your website, particularly on your contact page, which gives you another trust signal to Google. It lets anyone know that your business actually exists, and where it is listed on your listing. To embed it, go to Google Maps, search for your business, and in the upper right-hand corner, you will be offered an option to embed a map. You can do that by selecting the Embed a map, copying the code and pasting it into your site. The same address as your listing will increase the accuracy of location and the performance of ranking. Best and Most Effective Google Maps SEO Checklist Create and integrate a robust Google Maps business listing. Use authentic information to fill all the Google Business Profile sections. Use and maintain the name, address and local phone number the same. Include the best and most persuasive business descriptions and categories. Upload relevant photos and make posts regularly. Get Google reviews from existing clients. Reply to these reviews to convince your visitors. Eliminate forged or duplicate posts. Always ensure that your website is responsive and mobile-friendly. Use the most effective and competitive local keywords on your website. Never delay or deny integrating and using a Google map on your webpage. Experience the benefits of ranking higher on Google Maps Business listings on Google Maps are becoming even more advanced, allowing consumers to quickly get the information they need and make informed purchasing decisions. Follow the expert tips this post tells about to get your business presented at the top of Google Maps. You'll get to experience the increased visibility, engagement, and revenue that comes along with it! Avail The Benefits of Google Maps SEO To Rank Higher on SERPs With the further development of Google Maps listings, a customer is able to get all the necessary business information immediately and make a faster and more confident purchase choice. Through the strategies exhibited in this guide, you will be able to rank your business at the top of the local search engines. A higher ranking will result in better online presence, increased communication with buyers, and a significant increase in inquiries and orders. Become an optimized listing and begin reaping the long-term rewards of having people who are actively seeking the service or product you provide to them.