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Originally Posted On: https://bippermedia.com/why-your-small-business-should-rank-higher-on-google-maps/
Running a small business can be hugely rewarding. There’s a reason why small business owners consistently rank amongst the most satisfied workers around – being in charge of your own work is a fulfilling way to live.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without challenges, however.
In today’s digital age, small businesses need to have a strong online presence to be successful. One of the most important components of this is ranking higher on Google Maps.
When customers search for businesses in their area, they often turn to Google Maps to find nearby options. If your small business isn’t focused on how to rank higher on Google Maps, you could be missing out on valuable customers.
What do you need to know about the benefits of a high ranking? Why is local SEO so important for a small business? Read on and we’ll walk you through the basics.
Increased Visibility
When people search for businesses on Google Maps, they are often presented with a map of the local area, highlighting nearby businesses.
If your business is not visible on Google Maps, potential customers may not even know you exist.
By ranking higher on Google Maps, you increase your visibility and make it more likely that people will find your business when searching for local options. For some of these consumers, it’ll be the first time they’ll be aware of your business and what you are offering.
Just by prioritizing your Google listing, you’ve pushed yourself onto the mental radar of many new potential consumers. That’s a huge win.
Improved Business Credibility
When your small business ranks higher on Google Maps, it can improve your credibility with potential customers.
People are more likely to trust businesses that appear at the top of search results. If your business appears near the top of the list, customers are more likely to trust that you are a reputable business that offers quality products or services.
Google’s algorithms have been built around the idea of trust, relevancy, and reliability. Users have come to trust Google’s preferences and the way they filter information, and thus are more trusting of results that rank high from the Google engine.
The higher you are, the more your new potential consumers are likely to take your business seriously. A high ranking, thus, can help you attract more customers and build a positive reputation in your community.
Increased Web and Physical Traffic
Ranking higher on Google Maps can also lead to increased traffic to your website and physical location.
When people search for businesses on Google Maps, they are often presented with a list of businesses and their website links. If your business appears higher on the list, you may get more clicks to your website.
Additionally, when people are in the area and searching for businesses, they may be more likely to visit your physical location if they see that you are a top-ranked business.
Often when people search Google Maps, they’re looking for a business they can visit right away. They have a need that they’re looking to fill. If you can ensure you’re a high-ranking business, you can convert a stranger into a new customer at record speed.
Cost-Effective Advertising With High ROI
One of the benefits of ranking higher on Google Maps is that it can be a cost-effective way to advertise your business.
Unlike other forms of advertising, like billboards or television ads, there is no cost to appear on Google Maps. You can improve your ranking by optimizing your Google My Business listing and getting more positive reviews from customers.
By investing time and effort into improving your Google Maps ranking, you can get more visibility and attract more customers without spending a lot of money. In many ways, you may get more customers in your store from Google Maps than you would from an expensive ad campaign.
It’s certainly worth spending some time and effort on.
Increased Local Awareness
When your small business ranks higher on Google Maps, it can increase local awareness of your business.
People who live or work in the area may not know about your business, but when they see that you are a top-ranked business on Google Maps, they may be more likely to check out your products or services.
This can help you build a loyal customer base in your local community. As a small business, the community that surrounds your business is deeply important. While new customers are great, you’ll likely need to rely on a steady flow of regulars to help keep your business afloat over the long run.
Having a presence on Google Maps can help pull in consumers closest to you, and help convert them to nearby loyal customers. That’s a benefit that you simply can’t turn your back on.
How to Rank Higher on Google Maps
To rank higher on Google Maps, it is important to optimize your Google My Business listing.
Make sure your business information is accurate and up-to-date, and include high-quality photos of your products or services.
Encourage customers to leave positive reviews on your listing, as this can help improve your ranking. Additionally, make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as many people use Google Maps on their mobile devices.
If you’re having trouble getting your ranking to increase, it may be worth looking for help from a professional SEO service. Professionals will have handled this kind of challenge dozens and dozens of times in the past and will know exactly what steps to take to help you climb your local rankings.
Managing Your Google Maps SEO
If you’re looking to help your business stand out from the crowd, one of the very best places you can direct your attention is Google Maps. If you can help your business rank higher on the Google Maps platform, you can help your business flourish in a variety of ways.
The above information can help you to understand the many benefits of attempting to better your Google Maps ranking.
Need more assistance or aid managing your local SEO? Have more questions about connecting customers to your business? Give us a call anytime for assistance.
