The Definitive Guide to Ranking Higher on Google Maps

If you’re new to SEO or Local SEO, this can be a tricky question to answer. Fortunately, there are plenty of different ways to rank on Google Maps, so if you know what you’re doing you should be able to move up the rankings fairly quickly and easily without the need for any black hat tricks that could get your website penalized by Google. Today I want to share with you the best tips and tricks I’ve found that actually work in 2019. Let’s get started!

Understanding why we want to rank

Search engine optimization is a bit of a misnomer. SEO stands for search engine optimization, which means we want our website (and business) to rank higher in search engines like Google and Bing. But no one really goes there looking for your business, unless they’re doing so from inside their company. In reality, we want people who don’t know about us to find us when they’re looking for something or someone—or simply browsing around with an open mind.

Keyword Research

The most important factor in boosting your local search rankings is targeting relevant keywords. But there’s one problem with keyword research: Google doesn’t tell you exactly which keywords are best. Instead, they leave that up to you and provide a massive list of keyword suggestions based on your main keyword. The solution? Use Google’s related searches tool to find keywords beyond what they suggest—and target those instead. That way, when someone searches for one of those additional terms, it could send more traffic and get you ranked higher in local search results. Now that’s a smart strategy for ranking higher on Google maps!

Authority And Trust

If you want your business to be found in Google maps, then you need authority and trust. The first thing you need is a website that is mobile-friendly (since Google will be looking at your site from a smartphone). Then, register your business with their free Local Listing tool so that Google knows about it. Once you have done that, use social media for local SEO by sharing different information about your business and connecting with other businesses nearby using places or location pages. You should also get started building up reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. If people are happy with what they find out about your business online, then they will more likely visit in person.

Quality Links To Our Site

Your local business directory is an important source of quality links for your website. If your site isn’t listed there, not only are you missing out on potential customers, but you’re also missing out on quality backlinks that can boost your Google ranking. You should be sure to get into as many local business directories as possible (even beyond just those that pertain directly to your services). For example, if you provide a service in San Francisco and another in Boston, it wouldn’t hurt to be listed in both of those cities' business directories. Furthermore, use these listings as nodes for additional links within your own website.

Optimizing Our Home Page For Local Searches

Your local business needs a high ranking on Google maps for local searches. People searching for products and services around you will find your location if it’s easy enough to find, and that usually means optimizing your Google+ Local page and getting plenty of great reviews. Foursquare is another option, but I recommend a free website like Yelp or Localeze instead if you can’t get into Foursquare. Optimizing Our Home Page For Local Searches: Your local business needs a high ranking on Google maps for local searches. People searching for products and services around you will find your location if it’s easy enough to find, and that usually means optimizing your Google+ Local page and getting plenty of great reviews.

Optimizing Individual Pages For Local Searches

First, let’s talk about optimizing your individual web pages for local search. Google will be able to find your website and verify that it exists by using either a geotag or a verified phone number. It’s important to include both of these elements if you want to rank highly in local searches for businesses. Then, once Google has found your website, you should ensure that you have correctly filled out all of their required fields. The more information Google has about your business (and its location), the better chance you have at ranking higher in local searches. Without these pieces of information, not only are you leaving money on the table—you’re also making it harder for potential customers to find you.

Getting Reviews and Citations For Our Business Listings

When it comes to local SEO, citations and reviews play a big role in being found by potential customers. While Google will typically attempt to determine how relevant your business listing is through review sites and directories in your area, they won’t always be able to do so – especially if you’re new. To ensure that you rank as high as possible in Google Maps, we highly recommend getting reviews and citations for all of your business listings. Here are some tips on how you can do that

Usefulness of Local SEO

The usefulness of local SEO can hardly be overstated. The ability to appear at or near (or actually at) number one for a popular search term is incredibly valuable in terms of both revenue and brand-building. When you appear at the top, people see your business as a trusted authority.