When someone does a search a local business, they see a map that focuses on three relevant results. Ideally, you want to have your business show up among these top results, referred to as Google’s Local 3-Pack. While showing up on Google Map results can be great for local SEO, changes to the Google Map Pack from seven listings to three have presented some challenges for businesses. Plus address and phone number info is no longer displayed. So, what can you do to get listed in Google’s local map pack?
1. Think Mobile with Your SEO
Nearly 70 percent of all local searches are on done on a mobile devices and more than 80 percent performed on mobile devices convert. If want to get the most out of your Google Maps listings, you definitely want to keep mobile in mind with your SEO efforts. Focus on the optimization of your website and have a design that’s friendly to mobile visitors so visitors coming to your site from a Google Maps listing will actually want to stick around.
2. Have Relevant, Updated Directory Listings
If you haven’t do so already, claim your business on Google My Business. This is a step you’ll need to take to have a Google Maps listing. Next, turn your attention to your directory listings. Place your business info on directories that are relevant to your business, including niche directories. Make sure your NAP (name, address, phone number) info is up-to-date. Further boost your Google local Map Pack appeal by:
• Making sure your NAP info is exactly the same in all listings
• Periodically auditing and monitoring your local listings
• Becoming accredited by the Better Business Bureau
3. Optimize Your Google Maps Listing
A typical Google Maps listing includes your business address and phone number, your business hours, and average review stars from posted online reviews. You’ll be able to manually enter your business info, so you’ll be able to make sure it’s exactly as you want it to appear. Use Schema markup on your website to get your business hours in your listing.
4. Pay Attention to Your Local Reviews
It only stands to reason that a business with several positive local reviews will have a much greater chance of landing a prime spot on a Google Map Pack display than one with little or no reviews. You don’t want to come right out and tell customers to leave positive reviews (most directories forbid this anyway), but can encourage local reviews that may help with your Google Maps placement by:
• Encouraging customers to leave feedback after purchases
• Requesting reviews and comments with follow-up emails
• Linking to your review profiles from your website
• Actively responding to reviews and comments (even legitimate negative ones)
5. Take Steps to Earn Links
While Google is notoriously secretive about all aspects of the company’s ranking criteria, links are widely considered to be top ranking signal for the Big G. Your business will get more attention from Google if there are links from relevant and credible sources directly traffic to your brand. Fine-tune your local SEO link strategy by:
• Checking to see what links are pointing back to your competitors and reaching out to those same sites to see if you can get a link, too
• Partnering with local businesses that offer related (but different) products and services
• Reaching out to local organizations like your area’s chamber of commerce to get links from their sites
The changes with the Google Map Pack aren’t necessarily disastrous for businesses hoping to boost their ROI with local SEO. Because of the way Google uses very specific location info to display results, the top three results displayed will be different for each searcher. And when someone clicks on results, they get an expanded listing that includes 20 competitors in the area and a version of the old local card that was removed from the initial results. So, you may still get some exposure even if you’re not in the coveted top three. Considering some of the tips mentioned here may make your experience with Google’s Map Pack pleasant, productive, and beneficial.
Contact us today to find out how we can help get your business listed in the Google map pack.
With over 15 years of marketing experience I have helped over 1,000 businesses amplify their customer base. I have spent the man hours to make sure every one of my clients have had a positive experience. I take the time to sit and get to know every company I work with on a personal level. I started this company to put qualified leads in front of the companies who are looking for them. The Website Marketing Company headquarters in Orlando, FL. 32803 services clients across the country.
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