The Free Playbook to Rank Higher on Google Maps: A Comprehensive Guide

A Google Maps listing is an excellent marketing tool that can bring more customers to your door. Learn how to use it correctly and it can become an infinite source of new business.

Just look at the numbers: 67% of consumers prefer Google Maps to other navigation apps, and a whopping 84% of consumers find Google Maps business listings from a discovery or keyword search instead of a business name. This means that if you’re not listed, you’re missing out!

The good news is it doesn’t cost a thing to be on the map. However, being listed is not enough. You also have to make your listing strong and visible — and the only way to do that is to optimize it to show up for relevant searches.

Google Business Profile ranking factors

The first step to ranking higher in Google Maps is to create or claim a Google Business Profile. You can quickly optimize your linking by following these tips:

• Verify your listing.

• Link your website to your profile.

• Use a relevant and accurate business title.

• Choose primary and secondary categories that accurately describe your business.

• Ensure your map pin is placed correctly.

• Fill out your profile with accurate and detailed information.

To further improve your chances of ranking higher, encourage links to your Google Business Profile and try to get reviews.

Google Business Profile guidelines for practitioners

A practitioner listing is for a specific person rather than a place. You’re an individual practitioner if you are a:

• Doctor

• Dentist

• Financial planner

• Lawyer

• Real estate agent

• Insurance agent

Not all individual practitioners can create a Google Business Profile. Ultimately, you can create one if:

• Your work involves a public-facing role.

• You do not have multiple listings to cover all specializations.

• People can directly contact you at your verified location throughout your listed hours.

If you’re a practitioner among several at the same location, you have to satisfy these conditions:

• The business should have its own Google Business Profile for its location and be separate from you (the practitioner).

• Your Google Business Profile’s title must include only your name, not the name of the business.

If you're the sole practitioner at the location, consider sharing the Google Business Profile with your organization. In this case, use the following naming format: [Practitioner Name]: [Brand/Company]"

Google Business Profile guidelines for chains and brands

If you're a brand or chain opening a new location, use the same name and category for all locations to maintain consistency. Avoid combining unrelated brands in a single profile. Instead, choose one brand name. If the brands are independent of each other, create separate profiles for each of them.

If you are an authorized seller or franchisee authorized to use the brand of a bigger organization, you may use the brand of that organization in your name.

Google Business Profiles guidelines for departments

Departments within businesses are allowed to have their own Google Business Profiles. This applies to universities, government institutions, and hospitals with distinct departments. For example, Sears Auto Center and Walmart Vision Center are departments within larger organizations (Sears and Walmart). Still, they have profiles to target customers who are specifically interested in their respective services. This allows them to improve their local search visibility and attract more relevant customers with the help of a local SEO company in India.

Note: The categories for these departmental profiles are different from the main organization or other depart-ment listings associated with the same business.

How to set up a Google Business Profile for your small business

Having a Google Business Profile can boost your online marketing efforts and improve your Google Maps ranking. By completing your profile and ensuring that you input accurate information, you can get more website clicks, direction requests, and click-to-call conversions.

Step 1: Sign up for a Google Workspace account.

You can create a Google Business Profile using any Google account, but it’s best to sign up for Google Workspace and use that instead. This keeps everything organized and separate from your personal account. Plus, Google Workspace has practical tools you can use for your business, such as:

• Gmail: For all your business-related emails.

• Google Docs and Sheets: For tracking campaigns, automating email workflows, and creating or sharing content.

• Google Meet: For recording video calls.

After creating your account here, connect it to your domain so you can get an @yourdomain.com email address that also functions as a Google account.

Step 2: Sign in and find your business.

Visit Google.com/business to sign in using your Google account. In the search box, type your business name.

If a profile exists, it will appear as you type. Click on it to claim ownership.

If no profile appears, click "Add your business to Google."

Note: If you see the message "Business Profile has already been claimed," someone else might have created your profile. Click "Request Access" to follow the steps for gaining management control.

Step 3: Enter your business name and pick a primary category

Make sure to use a name that matches your official business name exactly. Never add meaningless keywords to your name. Doing this violates Google’s guidelines.

Next, pick an appropriate category that closely matches your business. Google has more than 4,000 categories, making this process overwhelming.

If you’re not sure where to start, check the category your competitors are using. And if your business has diverse products or service offerings, carefully select the category that best represents your primary services.

Don't worry if you don’t get it right the first time. You can change the category later.

Step 4: Enter your business location, if applicable.

This applies only if your business has a physical location. Be sure to enter an accurate and complete address to prevent profile verification issues and customer confusion. You can leave this blank if you do not serve customers at your address.

Step 5: Pin your location, if applicable.

Dropping the pin can help your customers find you faster. This is particularly helpful if you share a location with many other businesses (such as if you are located in a shopping center).

Step 6: Enter your service area if you’re a service area or a hybrid business.

You can enter up to 20 service areas. For each area, you must be able to reach a customer within a 2-hour drive. You can edit this later if you need to make changes.

Step 7: Add your contact details.

Enter your website (if you have one) and your phone number.

Step 8: Verify your business.

Google will send you a postcard to your physical address with a code, which you will enter to verify your Business Profile. This is how Google proves your business is active at the specified address. Be sure to enter this code within 30 days of receipt.

Google may provide the option to verify with your phone number or email if you don’t have a physical business address.

Step 9: Add business hours.

This is important because your customers will want to know when they can contact or visit you. Be sure to update your hours when necessary, such as if there are upcoming holidays or if you/your employees cannot come in for some reason. Changes are effective immediately, so customers will see them right away.

Step 10: Enable messaging.

This will allow you to connect with customers via your profile. However, you should only use this feature if you can manage it regularly. If you’re the type to put off replies, it will hurt your ranking and reputation.

Step 11: Describe your business.

A business description tells searchers exactly what you do and if you’re what they need. You can enter up to 750 characters, but be sure to follow Google’s business description guidelines.

Step 12: Add photos.

These photos will also show up on Google Maps and other Google services when someone views your business. Add as much as you can because a Bright Local study says that businesses with more than 100 pictures get 1,065% more clicks, 520% more calls, and 2,717% more direction requests!

Once you have a Google Business Profile, take the time to update it regularly to keep it detailed, accurate, and helpful.

How to optimize your Google Business Profile

After setting up your Google Business Profile, consider these steps to ensure it’s optimized and 100% accurate:

• Add secondary categories.

• Set your opening date.

• Add services and products.

• Add a Q&A.

• Set up holiday hours and ensure they’re correct.

• Choose attributes for your business.

• Link to your Google Business Profile from your website.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to set up your Google Business Profile, you can be on your way to better rankings on Google Maps. If you find the process too overwhelming to do by yourself, you can always ask for help from a professional SEO company in India.

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