Tips for Improving Your Google Maps Marketing Campaign
Noticed the change in how Google search results are presented? Now you'll like see Google Maps on top of the usual results. If you're a small business owner, Google Maps marketing can offer several benefits, and when it comes down to Google Maps marketing, the work will mainly involve your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
Here are the top five ways of boosting your Google Maps visibility through an optimized GMB listing:
Add your exact address.
This is the most critical part of Google Maps Marketing. Add a detailed business address on your GMB instead of broad city names or cross-streets.
Remove URLs, keywords or any others that are not included in your physical address; if the system isn't detecting you, pin your business location directly on the map.
When you're done filling your precise and complete address, add service area. If you're in the food business, for example, do you serve at your location or are you limited to food deliveries? You need to be clear on this one. And don't forget to fill in your business hours, categories, and especially your phone number/s and web address.
Optimize your GMB introduction.
Google will decide if your business is related to a search query based on your GMB intro.
To make an effective intro, avoid cramming it with keywords. But you have to mention why you started your business and what makes you different from your competitors. Answer every question that you think potential customers will have. And always write in the tone and language that suits your target audience. Get more facts about Google Maps at http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/22/technology/google-maps-eta/index.html.
Make sure your GMB listing is verified.
Once you have added all the necessary details on GMB and updated your intro, get your listing verified. If you don't, there's no way you'll get a high rank on Google Maps.
Google verified business through phone, email, and other methods.
Ask your customers to write reviews.
Reviews help your Google Maps Marketing efforts by helping establish credibility and authenticity for your business. You need not fear negative reviews though. Instead of ignoring them, reply to them according to Google's guidelines. By doing so, you are saying that even with your imperfection, they will not stop until you are satisfied with your product or service
Make local citations.
A local citation is any online mention of your business in local media. Finally, local citations help build prominence and relevance for your business on Google, hence improving your Google Maps ranking. Examples of places where you can find local citations are local blogs and industry directories.
