Everyone has their preferred Google app, and for businesses, it must be Google Maps. Since Google provides business proprietors many diverse growth prospects, Google Maps is one of those many prospects without a doubt. Many of us use Google Maps for searching directions but it has gone beyond that. It’s an application where local businesses attract greater attention as these can be organically discovered by a local audience/ consumers. Understanding how to use Maps to get discovered by the target audience in particular regions is critical for local business owners to maximize their business opportunities. In this write-up, that’s what we’ll successfully assist you with.
What is Google Maps Marketing?
Basically, Google Maps marketing is the method of exploiting Google Maps’ functionality to make it stress-free to locate your business/enterprise. It is expected to be very worthwhile especially for large companies; but in reality it’s even more crucial for smaller businesses and enterprises. However, Google Maps marketing isn’t just restricted to visibility but it also helps in positioning your business. If exploited appropriately and tactically, Google Maps can power your digital marketing policies without any doubt.
Now, there are two techniques to market your business on Google Maps and those are –
Firstly, by spending on Google’s local search ads. When potential consumers hunt for local companies both in Google Maps or Google Search, this local search ad will be shown on the topmost part of other results. Since Local Search ads utilize Google’s standard Cost per Click model, there’s hardly any policy involved besides investing more money according to your location and business niche.
Secondly, is to rank organically on Google Maps. It’s significant to observe that Google just displays the top 3 Google Maps results for any local query requests which comprise of “near me” queries also on Google search results. Surely, they are positioned underneath the local search ad, but organic results will definitely offer more value for consumers.
Process of Getting Added to Google Maps
It starts with setting up a Google Business Profile.
First, visit the Google Business Profile website and sign in with your Google account.
Secondly, from here onwards, you can add your business by keying in its name and address.
Thirdly, Google will verify and validate your business and when everything is done, it’s time to elaborate your business profile and add more details.
Fourthly, enter indispensable particulars like your business operational hours, contact details, website link, and an account of your services or products made available by your business. Again, uploading high-quality photos of your business location, products, or services can make your business profile more engaging.
After consuming this above information, probable consumers will search, locate, assess, and select your business on Google Maps. Therefore, maintain an updated business profile to make sure clients always have up-to-date and genuine data about your business.
9 Guidelines for Effective Google Maps Marketing
Below are some common Google Maps marketing guidelines to boost your business profile and drive improved results from your business listing –
Encourage Consumer Reviews
Don’t underestimate reviews. Nowadays, potential customers take reviews very seriously and their decisions are often influenced by reviews. Also, reviews considerably affect your local search ranking. They offer social proof to prospective clients and direct signals to Google about your business’s integrity. So, enthusiastically encourage your contented customers to offer their precious reviews. You can put in this request through follow-up emails, or via social media platforms. Make the procedure of reviewing stress-free by offering a direct link to your Google Business Profile review section.
Answer/React to All Reviews
Don’t be reluctant to respond to reviews. Replying to both positive and adverse reviews demonstrates that you value your customers’ opinion and are affirmatively and enthusiastically engaged with your clientele. It also makes your business more trustworthy and likable to prospective customers. So, devote a certain amount of time to run through your reviews. Interact with each customer for their response, skilfully and with dignity address any apprehensions flagged by their negative reviews, and simultaneously focus on the positive experiences gathered by them.
Share Google Posts within Your Business Profile
Share updates, events, advertising campaigns, or new product launches straightaway via Google Posts on your Business Profile. This feature enhances your business profile and makes it more dynamic and appealing. It provides new content for latent customers. Consistent interesting posts can improve your visibility on Google Maps and Search. This keeps your audience well-versed and attached to your latest business developments.
Monitor & Reply to User Enquiries
Google Maps permits users to question directly on your business listing. Vigorously monitor and quickly reply to these queries and requests. This relentless engagement shows exceptional customer service and can deliver crucial information to other possible clients, thereby improving your business’s integrity and accessibility.
Frequently Update Your Business Info
It’s a no-brainer that correct and updated business information is a necessary prerequisite for conducting serious business. Precise and up-to-date data is critical for acquiring and retaining client trust and for Google’s ranking algorithm. Accurate information involves your business address, phone number, business operating hours, and every brief modification like holiday hours, upcoming events, and more. So, periodically check your Google Business Profile to make sure that all provided information is latest. Update your business profile instantaneously if there are any alterations taking place to your business processes, site, or contact details. This enhances the confidence of the consumers.
Install Google Maps on Your Business Website
Apart from providing updated business information, you should set up Google Maps on your business website so that users/ potential customers do not make any mistake in knowing precisely where the location of your business is. This will aid in bettering SEO Local worth for users and Google both.
Upload Superior-quality Photos & Videos
Visuals definitely create more impact on the users than text. Visual content can considerably boost your Google Maps listing. Upload high-grade snapshots and videos of your company, events, products, and services/solutions. Frequently updating your graphic content makes it less boring and more interesting and pertinent. This graphical charm draws more curiosity which translates into views and provides possible consumers an enhanced comprehensibility of what kind of product, service, or solutions needs to be expected from your business.
Boost For Local SEO
Since Google Maps Marketing helps being vocal for local businesses, integrating local SEO plans and tactics is crucial for increasing your visibility on Google Maps. So, incorporate appropriate local keywords in your business description and posts. Next, make certain your business name, address, and phone number are consistently accurate across all virtual platforms. Lastly, targeted local SEO practices heighten your probability of appearing in local search results, pushing more organic traffic toward your business. If conversions take place then certainly revenues go up.
Study Your Google Maps Insights
Google delivers valued insights and knowledge for businesses listed on Maps. You can often review these analytics, trends, and data to comprehend how consumers are discovering and interacting with your listing. In-depth knowledge of search queries, client activities, and photo views can aptly direct you in refining your business profile and marketing policies for improved performance of your local business.
Conclusion
All said and done, generating a Google Business Profile is just the start of a long digital journey. To be conspicuous on Google Maps, you need to boost your listing. This optimization increases your probability of greater visibility, and this, in turn, attracts more clientele to your business. Google Maps marketing can be intricate in nature but it’s hugely worthwhile for small businesses. It’s a digital marketing strategic tool that encourages local customer engagement and business development.
