Struggling for attention in the crowded online marketplace? Google Maps marketing may be the best thing you can do for your company. Letting Google know that your business exists is a great start to improving your visibility on the web. But by leveraging Google Maps marketing and boosting your by Google Maps ranking, you can put yourself in position to accelerate the growth of your enterprise.
The Importance of Google Maps
Since Google accounts for nearly 88% of all mobile searches, having a listing on Google Maps is a must. Google Maps marketing makes it easy for customers to find you even when they are not specifically looking for your business, but instead, your industry or services. If utilized correctly, this is essentially a free way to advertise!
Getting Your Business on Google Maps
In order to get your business to show up on Google Maps, you first need to add and verify your company on Google My Business (GMB). Getting your listing set up on GMB can be tedious, but its effect on your search visibility makes it all worth it.
Many owners believe that being on Google Maps is good enough. However, it is important to keep your GMB listing active and engaging to users by utilizing all of the features offered. This includes updating all of your business information (category, hours, description, etc.), uploading posts and photos to your listing each week, receiving and responding to customer reviews, and much more. If you need some help or inspiration, you can quickly learn how to optimize your Google My Business.
The goal of any Google Maps marketing campaign is to land within the local 3-pack which appears at the top of search results. Generally, a user is going to choose one of the three options presented to them as long as they match the user’s search intent. This means that if your location does not appear in the local 3-pack at the top of the Google Maps rankings, your chances of being found for searches related to your expertise become exponentially lower.
Paid Ads vs. Organic Google Maps Listings
Organic traffic from Google can take more time than one is willing to wait for. This is when business owners turn to paid advertisements while waiting for their organic efforts to kick in. Paid ads appear at the very top of Google Maps rankings and can be distinguished from organic results with an icon that reads “Ad” next to the rating of the company, as shown below.
One thing to keep in mind about paid advertisements on Google Maps is that many users tend to not click on ads since they know they are sponsored. However, this hasn’t stopped businesses from turning a profit as a result of their ads.
Ranking on Google Maps
Ranking on Google Maps is a competitive concept. Every local entrepreneur wants to be the first link that appears when a user makes a search for an item, business, or service in their area. That is why it is critical to show Google that you are actively engaging with customers online. We know it can be time-consuming, which is why we created ASAPmaps. Take the stress of Google Maps marketing off your plate and let us handle it! Get started today to see what ASAPmaps can do for your business.