In today’s modern age, maintaining a positive online presence is essential to all businesses. It keeps your business relevant and accessible for users. In fact, prospective customers are often hesitant to deal with businesses with little or no online presence.
Fortunately, Google Maps has made it simple and convenient for businesses to mark their online presence. When used correctly, Google Maps helps your customer to find you on Google, look for your store/office location, get driving directions and many other important details.
In this blog, we will cover Google Maps marketing, right from the basics!
What is Google Maps Marketing?
Google Maps marketing is the optimisation of your business presence on Google Business Profile to increase your exposure on search engines. This strategy is helpful in increasing your business’s visibility.
It is a very helpful tool for business owners who are trying to position themselves on search engines. Although it’s an equally efficient marketing tactic for all kinds of businesses, regardless of the scale, small businesses can benefit greatly from it.
If your profile is rightly optimised according to the requirements of Google Maps marketing, the chances of it showing up on Google Maps search results for your relevant business type in the local area goes higher.
Why is Google Maps Marketing Important?
Google Maps marketing is crucial in attracting an audience and to improve your appearances on the search results. Let’s understand it through the following insights:
- Monthly Active Users (MAU): Google Maps has surpassed 2 billion monthly active users globally.
- Market Dominance: The platform maintains approximately 67–70% global market share in the navigation category.
- Daily Activity: Over 5 billion location-based searches are processed every single day.
- Global Coverage: Maps now covers 249 countries and territories and includes information for over 250 million places and businesses
Source: https://wiserreview.com/blog/google-maps-statistics/
Local Intent & Mobile Search Trends
- Local Intent Frequency: Approximately 46% of all searches on Google have local intent.
- Mobile Proximity: Roughly 30% of all mobile searches are location-based.
- Voice Search Shift: Approximately 20% of all mobile searches are now performed via voice
Source: https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/_qs/documents/620/mobile-search-trends-consumers-to-stores.pdf
Google Maps marketing impacts the way Google sees your business online profile. Moreover, it impacts the way your business appears in organic search. Therefore, proper Google Map optimisation is necessary for businesses.
How to Get a Better Rank in Google Maps?
Google Maps consider various factors while deciding how to rank results.
The geographic distance of the store from the person performing the search and the business category is the prime factor.
The accuracy and completion of the Google Business Profile listing also play a major role. It acts as a tie-breaker between you and your competitors for appearing in the search results.
Reviews are also a deciding factor. If users have given positive reviews to your business listing, the search engine will give you a priority over others, given other elements are optimised properly.
What is the Process for Google Maps Optimisation?
To showcase your business in Google Maps for relevant searches, follow the process below:
- Create and optimise your Google Business Profile.
- Fill out all required information: Accurate business address or service area
Business days and hours
Contact details (phone and website)
Relevant links (website, booking, or enquiry) - List your services or products clearly. Try to include keywords naturally, without overdoing it.
- Select the most relevant primary and secondary categories for your business.
- Keep your business information consistent across your website and other directories.
- Add high-quality, business-related photos.
- Make sure all information is accurate and regularly updated.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews and respond to them.
- List your business in trusted directories where relevant.
- Use insights and analytics to understand how users interact with your listing.
- Track your performance on Google Maps, including calls, clicks, and direction requests.
When someone types a keyword or searches for a query, Google Maps listings often pop up in search results. A Google Map result usually appears above all the organic search results. This alone is an imperative reason to utilise Google Maps marketing and rank higher for your product or service keywords.
To optimise your website and develop an optimum digital marketing strategy, reach out to Netplanet Digital right now. We’ll be happy to assist you and help you improve your online present. Contact us today to discuss your IT and digital marketing needs.
