Much like the previous entries we made about Yelp and Local SEO, Google Maps is a useful search engine optimization (SEO) tool that local businesses can utilize to increase their business from internet search inquiries. Google Maps can help pinpoint your location for local users searching for your product or service in your area.
Google Maps is a marketing service provided by Google for business to create, manage, and improve their Google Maps SEO. Although Google Maps has been around for awhile, many small and medium businesses do not realize that it is a free service for them to use. To create your free listing, visit https://google.com/lbc.
The right SEO strategy can help get your business recognized on the front page of the local search results if optimized for best results. In fact, 82% of search inquiries through Google are for local business information.
Of course, there are important things to consider when setting up your listing for best results. For example, a Google Maps description only has 200 characters maximum to describe a business. In order to optimize for best results, include local and important keywords to ease and help those searching for your business. Other tips for utilizing Google Maps are:
· Google Maps Landing Page – You are able to add a website that can offer better tracking of traffic and result in increasing your SEO ranking.
· Categories – Businesses are allowed up to five categories when creating a listing. Choose categories that are specific to your business.
· Photos/Videos – Although adding photos may not help with your SEO, having photos or videos can help entice customers and let them know more about your business.
· Details – Aside from the Google Maps description, you are can add additional keywords, details, and information for customers.
· Dashboard – The use of Google Maps provides a free dashboard tool that provides trends in searches, keywords used, etc.
Google Maps is powerful tool that can be utilized as a marketing tool and optimized for SEO. If you haven’t created a listing, get started and use it to your advantage for your local business.