Picture this, you’re walking down an unfamiliar street with the sun beating on you. You pull out your phone, do a quick Google Maps search for a nearby cafe, and a list of cafes pops up on Google Maps in seconds. The highest-ranked spots appear at the top, with high reviews, artistic photos, and general directions.
This is the power of Google Maps SEO, where top ranked businesses are shown to people right when they need their service.
With the right strategies, businesses can achieve higher rankings on Google Maps, making them more visible to people searching for services in their area and ultimately bring in customers, leads and sales. But how does SEO work on Google Maps, and what steps can you take to rank higher in the search engine?
This article will walk you through the practical steps to becoming the top local choice, all done in 15 steps.
What IS SEO On Google Maps?
SEO on Google Maps is about making your business easier to find when people search for local services. It involves setting up and optimising your Google My Business (GMB) profile so your business ranks higher in Google Maps results.
With Google Maps SEO, you encourage positive customer reviews, use local keywords, and keep information consistent across the web. This way, your business stands out in local searches, helping more people find and choose you over your competitors. It’s a powerful way to reach local customers with little to no marketing cost.
So, with the benefits and advantages now known, how exactly do you do SEO for Google Maps?
Top 15 Steps To Rank Higher In Local Searches
1. Fully Complete Your Google My Business Profile
An optimised Google My Business (GMB) profile is your foundation for success. Start by filling out every field and packing in as much detail as possible: your business name, address, phone number, website, operating hours, and field of service.
These relevant details help Google understand what your business offers and match it with what users are searching for. If you run a plus-size clothing store, adding specifics like “Plus-sized clothing” or “custom clothes” in the services section makes your business more attractive to people searching for those exact things.
The more specific and detailed the information in your GMB, the better Google can match you with people who fit your targeted audience and provide higher conversion rates.
2. Use Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) Information Across Platforms
Typos are common when using search engines, but when it comes to building an e-presence, having consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms can be the difference between showing up on someone’s search page or not.
Search engines rely on the information you provide to identify and verify your business, so even minor differences and spelling errors can make it difficult for people to find you online.
3 Key Points When It Comes To Achieving Consistency Across Platforms:
Use The Same Formatting
Decide a specific format for your business name and address, including capitalisation and abbreviations. For example, if your business name is “Yummy’s Bagels,” use “Yummy’s” instead of “Yummys”.
Set a Capitalisation Standard
Choose a capitalisation style, such as title case or lowercase, and stick with it across all listings. If you use the title case, ensure it is “Yummy’s Bagels” rather than “yummy’s bagels” across different platforms to achieve a uniform look.
Keep Abbreviations Uniform
Standardise abbreviations for commonly used terms like “St” vs. “Street”. Decide on one style and apply it everywhere to avoid minor variations impacting search engine recognition.
This consistency isn’t just for search engines—it’s also for your customers. When someone finds your business through a search or a local listing, they want to know the information is correct and that they didn’t misinput. When all platforms show accurate contact details, it reassures potential customers and helps build trust in your business.
3. Select Your Primary Business Category
Your primary category should describe your business in the most accurate and specific way since it will have the strongest impact on your visibility in search results.
For a rock climbing gym, the primary category should ideally be “Rock Climbing Gym” or “Bouldering” as this reflects the core focus of the business. This choice helps you appear in searches for “rock climbing near me” or “indoor rock climbing.”
Selecting a more generic primary category, like “Gym” or “Fitness Center”, might lead to missed opportunities in those specific searches, as your business won’t stand out among general gyms or fitness centres that are more well-known.
4. Incorporate Local Keywords In Your GMB Description
Adding location-specific terms helps Google understand where your business is and the area it serves, making it easier to connect with customers in your vicinity. Businesses can optimise their GMB descriptions by adding localised keywords to maximise their relevancy and prominence to nearby communities.
A furniture shop specialises in custom-made cabinets within a specific region, incorporating traditional motifs into its designs. To attract local searches, the business could include phrases like “Vintage furniture in [City Name]” or “Traditional [City Name] cabinets” in its GMB description. Emphasising keywords like these helps highlight the business’s specialities, the unique qualities that separate it from its peers, and the direct connection to the local area.
5. Encourage Customer Reviews And Ratings
Reviews and testimonials are endorsements from customers. New users who have never interacted with your business before often see what other people have to say before making a decision. Good ratings and reviews help build credibility and trust, and they also bolster your ranking in the search engine.
Always ask satisfied customers to leave reviews by providing a direct link to your GMB profile or encourage customers to leave a 5-star review by offering rewards for doing so. Positive reviews can set apart businesses like home renovation services.
After completing a successful renovation, the service provider might invite the satisfied homeowner to share the experience of what it’s like working with the company. Mentioning good service qualities such as “excellent craftsmanship” or “timely delivery” will help on-the-fence customers make a decision.
6. Respond To All Customer Reviews
Feedback is a two-way street, be it positive or negative. Respond to all customer reviews, regardless of whether it is a praise or critique. When you receive a positive review, you are rewarded for the value you bring to the customer and commended for it.
For negative reviews, acknowledge their concern and reply respectfully. Offer a solution if it is within acceptable means. By showing other potential customers that you take feedback seriously, you show authenticity and a willingness to go above and beyond to improve.
7. Add Visuals And Videos
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a GMB description can only describe so much. Visual content helps your business profile stand out and gives potential customers an idea of what to expect.
For industries like restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, images give potential customers a preview of the products or services you offer. A photo of an ice cream waffle sundae with warm lighting and an inviting ambience conveys more appeal than a detailed menu description.
The visuals entice customers and set their expectations, allowing them to see if your offerings align with what they’re looking for. High-quality photos build trust by giving an honest look into the experience, making potential customers more likely to choose your business.
8. Use Google Posts To Keep Your Profile Active
Google Posts lets you share promotions, updates, and announcements directly on your GMB profile. This keeps your profile active and relevant, increases customer engagement, and signals to Google that your business is up-to-date. Rather than staying stagnant, frequent updates on Google Posts improve your SEO ranking on Google Maps.
How To Use Google Posts For Better SEO On Google Maps:
Share Timely Updates: Announce promotions, new products, or special events to engage customers and keep your profile fresh.
Incorporate Local Keywords: Include location-specific phrases to attract nearby customers, like “Visit us for [Product/Service] in [City].”
Use CTAs: Add CTA buttons like “Call Now” or “Book” to encourage customer actions directly from your post.
9. Ensure Your Website And Listings Are Mobile-Friendly
Everyone owns a mobile phone. So a mobile-friendly website for Google Maps SEO is necessary. Test your site on different devices to make sure it loads quickly, displays correctly, and is easy to navigate.
A user-friendly mobile site can improve your visibility in local searches and reduce bounce rates. Google favours businesses that provide a seamless mobile experience. So, incorporate features like “Click to Call” or “Get Directions” buttons on your profile.
10. Embed Google Maps On Your Contact Or Location Page
Embedding Google Maps on your contact or location page is an easy way to help customers find you. Adding a map shows Google (and visitors) that your business has a real, accessible location, which can improve local SEO.
For example, if you own a yoga studio, embedding a map on your contact page lets people quickly see where you’re located and get directions with a single click. This small detail boosts trust and makes it easier for customers to reach you.
11. Optimise For Voice Search Using Conversational Keywords
Voice searches are becoming more common as technology improves. Around 3.25 billion people across the globe have utilised voice-activated search and assistants. This presents a new opportunity to capture new traffic for local businesses.
When using voice search, people tend to ask questions which are often conversational and short. To optimise search results and get the most out of voice search, add natural or question-based keywords in your content and GMB Profile.
Imagine you are running an artisan pizza shop. Phrases such as “Best stone-baked pizza in town” or “Nearest pizza shop” will match what people actually say when they search, making it easier to show up in voice search results.
12. Build Local Backlinks And Citations
SEO backlinks are similar to academic citations and references, they validate the credibility and authority of a website. Backlinks are links from other websites linking to your site, while citations are mentions of your business’s NAP on other sites. Together, they help Google see your business as reputable and relevant, which can improve your ranking on Google Maps.
When your business is mentioned on reputable local websites like community blogs, news sites, or online directories, Google interprets it as legitimate and established in the community. Local backlinks and citations reinforce your e-presence and trustworthiness, which is particularly important for improving Google Maps SEO.
How To Build Local Backlinks And Citations For Google Maps SEO:
Partner With Local Websites: Look for opportunities to collaborate with local blogs, news sites, and community organisations. If you own a plant nursery, you might reach out to a local gardening blog or community newsletter to share seasonal planting tips. These collaborations often include backlinks to your website, which strengthen your authority.
Submit Your Business To Local Directories: Listing your business in well-known directories like TripAdvisor and industry-specific directories can improve your visibility. Ensure your NAP information is consistent across all listings to avoid confusion and strengthen your SEO.
Engage In Community Platforms: Engage with local forums and social media pages related to your area. Being active in the community and sharing helpful information can lead to organic mentions or citations, especially if you are a leading member. For example, if you own a children’s swimming school, you could participate in local parenting groups or community forums by sharing water safety tips or advice on choosing the right swim class for kids.
13. Geotag Photos To Strengthen Location Relevance
Geotagging your photos adds location data, helping Google associate your images with your business’s specific area. A good example would be a wedding florist who provides floral arrangements for weddings and events across different regions. It can significantly improve your local SEO on Google Maps by geotagging photos of your floral setups at various venues, like hotels, and event spaces.
Why? Because when you upload these geotagged photos to your GMB profile, it shows Google that your business is active across multiple location-specific areas, not just limited to your primary address. So, when someone searches for “wedding florists near [venue name]” or “event florists in [City/Area],” your business is more likely to appear because Google recognises you as a florist with experience in that area.
Geotagged photos can also help potential customers envision your work in a setting that’s familiar or relevant to them. When they see images of your floral arrangements at nearby venues, it builds trust and demonstrates that you’re experienced in working within their community.
14. Regularly Update Your GMB Profile
Regularly updating your GMB profile is one of the best and simplest ways to stay visible in local search results. Regular updates not only demonstrate to Google that your business is active but also give customers the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The last thing you want is for a customer to check on your GMB profile for your operating hours only to realise it is closed upon reaching there because you failed to update a change in operation hours.
This practice of updating your GMB can improve your SEO on Google Maps and build customer trust, as people rely on Google to find real-time details about local businesses.
15. Monitor GMB Insights
GMB provides details on how customers interact with your business, the keywords they use to find you, and the actions they take. Use this data to adjust your SEO strategy, see what specific keywords boost your SEO’s prominence, and consider incorporating them more into your content to strengthen your ranking.
Conduct regular analyses to help you stay relevant and competitive with what customers are looking for.
Conclusion On SEO On Google Maps
SEO on Google Maps helps any business aiming to attract local customers and increase its online visibility. By fully optimising your GMB and following the 15 steps provided, you make it easier for nearby customers to find your business with a tap of a button.
Best SEO is here to help businesses to stand out on Google Maps. Our team of SEO specialists are here to help rank your website on the first page of Google without spending a single penny on ads. Our motto? Helping businesses achieve rank one on the search page, or we won’t get paid.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEO On Google Maps
When Is It Best To Upload New Photos To My GMB Profile?
Upload new photos regularly, ideally once a week or at least monthly, to show Google that your business is active.
How Do I Know Which Keywords Are Bringing Traffic To My GMB Listing?
You can use Google My Business Insights and link your GMB profile to Google Analytics to get deeper insights into specific keywords and how they’re impacting your local traffic.
Which Review Responses Are Most Effective For Boosting Engagement And Ranking?
Regardless of your review type, focus on providing sincere and professional responses. This shows engagement and builds trust, which positively impacts your ranking.
Is Adding A Short Description With Local Keywords To Every Photo Useful For Ranking?
Yes. Adding a short, keyword-rich description to each photo helps Google understand the image context, which can improve local relevance in searches.
Is Featuring UGC Content On My Profile Effective For Increasing Traffic?
Absolutely. Customer photos and reviews increase credibility and engagement, making your profile stand out more.
How Can I Attract More Targeted Traffic Through My GMB Profile?
Use local keywords in your profile, share regular updates through Google Posts, and encourage satisfied customers to leave detailed reviews to attract more targeted local traffic.
