It’s easy to not pay attention to Google Maps and just assume your business will be listed there by default. The problem, of course, is that Google Maps doesn’t work that way. To see an increase in customers, you need to work hard at getting your business found on Google Maps. If you are a business owner and your business is in the local community, you should take advantage of this great resource. In our Google Maps marketing demo, we’ll show you proven ways to get your business found and chosen by customers.
How Does Google Maps Help Your Business?
Whether you are looking for a plumbing company, a beauty salon, or a dentist, the majority of people turn to Google to find what they need. You’ve probably noticed your local business has a map showing the location of where you are located and may have thought that this only helps your business by way of getting more visits from customers that are driving by and seeing your business.
Improving your ranking on maps will help increase traffic to your business but there is much more that can be done than simply raising your site’s rank on Google Maps. In addition to getting visits from potential customers looking for you, there is also information about your business. Having an optimized Google My Business profile is a business partner of google will allow you to rank higher on search engines and drive more traffic to your website.
Get Listed For Free & Claim Your Business
You want to make sure that you set up a Google My Business account and claim your business listing. Google My Business gives your business free contact information, a customized website URL, and makes it easy for customers to find your business online (and offline!). Google My Business (GMB) is a free service that Google offers to help you manage your online presence on Google’s local search, maps, and mobile platforms.
When setting up your profile make sure you have met all of the requirements that Google has. Google My Business is a tool that lets you list your business on Google Search, Maps, and mobile results. Having a Google My Business profile will help your business get discovered by more customers. According to Moz, Google My Business is the top decision-making tool when Google ranks your website for local searches.
The benefits of listing on google are:
- Helps people find your business
- Allows people to quickly contact your business
- Encourages people to visit your website or location
- Displays your business with images
- Offers customer credibility through review
Add Photos of Your Business
Adding photos to your Google My Business listing makes it easier for people to find your business on Google Maps. When someone looks for a business on Google Maps, one of the first things they will want to see is whether or not your business has photos. By adding photos, you make your listing more attractive and appealing to potential customers, increasing the chances that someone will visit your business location.
If you have multiple locations, such as a chain of stores or offices, you can add photos per location using Google My Business manager. The more attractive your listings are, the more people will be likely to visit and ultimately buy your product or service.
Photo Ideas:
- Show what your business looks like from the outside
- Show the best product or service shots
- Use a variety of angles and display your best work
- Make sure the images are clear and the amount of lighting is good
- Make sure your photos are recent and reflect your current business set-up
- Link photos to specific products, services, or locations
- Personalize and add a human touch to your photos
- Focus on what makes your business unique
Get Google Reviews
Trying to get your business ranked in the top spot? Having a 4.5+ star rating will help you achieve this goal!
Getting reviews from your customers is one of the best ways to improve your business’s ranking on Google My Business. Here are some tips to ensure you’re getting optimal reviews from happy customers:
Ask for feedback at the end of each transaction. You can include a comment card or ask for feedback online, as long as it’s easy for them to leave a review.
If you receive a good review, reach out and thank them before they’ve even had a chance to post it! That will definitely leave an impression and encourage them to come back again and spread the word about how great your business is.
If you have few reviews and ratings, it’s unlikely that people will click through to see more information about you. And if no one clicks that extra mile, then no one will visit the landing page where they can actually make a purchase. This is why it’s so important for you to encourage customers to give you reviews and ratings by giving them incentives – like discounts!
Google My Business Post Function
Google My Business Posts is an easy way to share discounts, and promote upcoming events, and news about your business.
There is no limit to the number of google my business posts you can make. After you’ve made the post, it will show up on your Google My Business page for seven days. Once you have decided to make another google my business post, click the “Write a post” link at the top of your page.
Posts are a great way to share time-sensitive information with your customers. If you’re running a special, you don’t want to forget about it. Maybe there’s an event happening at your business this month and you want everyone to know about it.
Paid Advertising on Google Maps
You’ve probably seen local businesses advertising their services on Google Maps. In addition to the free listings, Google offers paid advertising for local businesses that want to attract new customers.
Tailor your campaigns to your business goals. If you want to learn more about google maps marketing visit our pay-per-click page where we go into detail on how it works.
Local Search Ads are similar to running a paid search campaign on Google. You will automatically be charged every time someone clicks on your ad. Unlike regular search campaigns, however, you can show up in the local search results section of the map. If your business is located near a popular destination, this might be a good option for you.
Tips for advertising:
- Make sure your Google Places listing is accurate.
- Take advantage of click-to-call technology.
- Include your phone number in your listing.
- Use call extensions to drive more calls.
- Optimize your ads for local search.
Our Services
In the increasingly competitive world, we live in, having your business show up on the first page of Google search results for your main keywords is a necessity. Whether you are someone who is considering working with Five Rivers Marketing, or you have heard about google maps marketing services offered and simply want to learn more, we hope that this article has provided valuable insight into the world of google maps marketing and how it can benefit your business.
Five Rivers Marketing is a recognized digital ad agency. You need to work with an agency that has met considers needs each and every time! If you are looking for help with your local SEO, contact Five Rivers Marketing today.
