Are you struggling to maintain your business with fierce local competition? Or you’re just located at a distant place to grab the attention? No matter what, you need a solid push to make things go your way.
That’s where online presence can aid you to a great extent. It acts more like an online storefront, giving you the privilege of easy marketing. The process more or less starts with your presence on Google Maps.
Anyone having or owning a physical address for their business ventures better be on Google Maps. The simple yet efficient strategy has now become a vital part of promotional commerce through the Internet.
Why Appearing on Google Maps is Important?
Some entrepreneurs still think about whether Google Maps’ appearance is necessary. However, the real question is why you need to establish your presence on Google Maps. It’s because almost everyone owns at least one device, making themselves online.
Nearly 67% of online shoppers prefer Google Maps to conduct purchases. Potential consumers search and find relevant businesses in two days to check products/services. Meanwhile, clients are 84% more likely to find your business through keywords.
It also comes with the opportunity for your business to be discovered by new clients. And you can keep up and/or even outmatch the competition. Overall, modern SEO (search engine optimization) heavily relies on the involvement of Google Maps.
Appearing in Google Maps: Steps to Follow
Google Maps and Google My Business go hand in hand in terms of commercial, marketing, introductory advantages. And there are actions in order you must follow to make the best of your on-Map presence.
Pinning your company on the map is more like the first step to pushing your online storefront. Many further actions are necessary to succeed. Introducing yourself to Google Maps primarily includes the following.
1. Add Your Business
You can sign up or log into Google My Business (GMB) to create your business profile. It’s also possible to directly add the business in different ways through a desktop/laptop, android, or iPad/iPhone.
Entering your business address in the search bar should let you add your business profile separately. The same goes when you simply right-click the cursor anywhere on the map. Even the Google Maps menu features a dedicated option for business profile addition.
Basic facts related to your business are mandatory to keep up with the created GMB profile. Information generally requested by Google includes – Address, Category, Website, Contact, Work Hours, etc.
2. Verification
Whether you actually own the business profile or not is an essential part of putting yourself on the map. It determines the validity of all the provided information alongside your credibility as the profile admin.
The simplest approach involves getting verification codes via email, search console, phone. However, you can opt for postcard verification sent to the business address. It may take 14 days to get the 5-digit code to be entered into your GMB for authentication.
It’s possible that your business is already listed, or several businesses with the same name are there. Select ‘the option does not match’ for multiple existing ones. You’ll have to request admin info for the former.
3. Complete Your Profile
Creating or claiming the business through Google should put a pin on your location. Verifying the profile will unlock many additional options you can use to add value (to customers and the business).
You must enter the company name, phone number, email address, physical locations precisely. Adding information on specific directories, social media accounts, 360° pictures, and website URLs should help your business show up higher on SERP (Search Engine Result Page).
Don’t forget to mention the business network and/or delivery area when applicable. Specifying issues like postal code, region-city, delivery type can build up a positive picture among the clients.
4. Manage Your Reviews
Putting the business on the map alone no longer cuts it with nearby competitors. So, knowing how to make your address show up first should be the next crucial step for you.
Google’s overall listing for Maps highly depends on positive customer feedback/reviews. Pushing your business to the #1 rank is the ultimate aim but you may have to face fierce competition. In that case, you should aim for the top three nonetheless to outmatch local ones.
Keep yourself responsive, engaging, respectful with feedback, especially the negative ones. Take instant steps to resolve/address issues to show commitment to clients’ satisfaction.
5. Regular Updates
There are several things to do to make sure your Google Maps appearance remains on top. Updates at regular intervals can help Google prioritize your business on SERPs.
Mention your off-days, off-hours, off-services to let users know about what’s going on. Keep adding more local keywords as well as better technical features to the website. Posting on social media with your Map embedded is a great strategy to circulate the business.
Update vital information like contact, address, email on all available sites, posts, affiliates immediately. Consistency of data all over the internet is essential for Google Maps listing.
How Long to Appear in Google Maps?
Proper information should introduce your business in Google Maps within a day. However, facts like similar names, local competition, and certain addresses may keep you waiting. Still, the process shouldn’t exceed one week of waiting.
Locally established businesses get the advantage of an already-existing position in Google Maps. You’ll have to claim the business and set the My Business profile for SEO. A detailed verification will decide whether you really own the business.
Pinning your business location via Google Maps is no big deal as the process is free and simple. But its effect on your audience, SEO, revenue is what matters the most. Having a breakthrough is possible with your business showing up.
Wrapping Up
There are alternatives to the Google search engine whereas Google Maps is more like one and only. When did you use anything other than Google Maps to find a precise location? That’s right, no Maps service is as good as Google’s; emphasizing its overall significance. Let your prospective audience consisting of clients, users, customers find you at a pin-point address.
Contact Tectera a SEO specialist in Sri Lanka to appear in Google Maps.
