Hey there, awesome small business owners! Linda Donnelly here, from Business Solutions Marketing Group. We’ve been helping folks like you get seen online for over ten years, and today, we’re talking about something super important: getting your business to pop up on Google Maps!
When people search for “restaurants near me” or “plumbers in my town,” where do they look? Yep, Google Maps! And if your business isn’t showing up near the top, you’re missing out on a ton of customers.
But don’t worry! We’re going to show you how to climb those Google Maps rankings in less than 30 days. Let’s get started!
Why Ranking High on Google Maps Matters
Think about it: when you need something quick, you grab your phone and search. And guess what? 46% of all Google searches are looking for local info! (Source: Search Engine Journal) That’s almost half of all searches!
And here’s the kicker: 88% of people who search for a local business on their phone call or visit that business within 24 hours. (Source: BrightLocal) That’s a lot of folks ready to buy!
If you’re not showing up on Google Maps, you’re basically invisible to these customers. And get this: businesses that show up in the top 3 spots of the map pack get 33% more clicks than those below them. (Source: Zero Limit Web) That’s a huge difference!
Get Your Google Business Profile Ready
First things first, you need a Google Business Profile. It’s like your online business card, but way better!
- Make it complete: Fill out every single section. The more info you give Google, the more they like you!
- Keep it accurate: Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are exactly the same everywhere online.
- Pick the right categories: Choose the categories that best describe your business. This helps Google show you to the right people.
- Add lots of photos: People love pictures! Show off your products, your store, and your happy customers.
Get Those Reviews Rolling!
Reviews are like gold on Google Maps. People trust them almost as much as they trust their friends! 79% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. (Source: BrightLocal)
- Ask for reviews: Don’t be shy! Ask your happy customers to leave you a review.
- Respond to reviews: Good or bad, always respond. This shows you care about your customers.
- Get lots of them! The more reviews you have, the better.
Make Your Website Work Hard
Your website plays a big role in your Google Maps ranking.
- Make it mobile-friendly: Most people search on their phones, so your website needs to look good on small screens.
- Add local keywords: Use words that people in your area are searching for, like “best pizza in [your town].”
- Make it fast: People don’t like waiting for slow websites.
Get Citations from Other Websites
Citations are when your business info is listed on other websites, like Yelp or Yellow Pages.
- Get consistent citations: Make sure your NAP is the same on all websites.
- Get citations from good websites: The better the website, the better the citation.
Post Regular Updates
Google likes businesses that are active.
- Post updates on your Google Business Profile: Share news, events, and special offers.
- Add new photos and videos: Keep things fresh!
Some Tricks You Might Not Know
- Use local schema markup: This is code that tells Google more about your business.
- Get backlinks from local websites: Links from other local businesses can help your ranking.
- Monitor your competition: See what they’re doing and do it better!
We Can Help You Climb the Map Pack!
At Business Solutions Marketing Group, we know how to get your business seen on Google Maps. We’ve been doing this for over ten years!
- We can optimize your Google Business Profile.
- We can help you get more reviews.
- We can make your website work harder.
- We can get you listed on other websites.
Don’t let your competition steal your customers! Let us help you get to the top of Google Maps.Remember: Getting seen on Google Maps is super important for local businesses. Follow these tips, and you’ll be climbing those rankings in no time!
