If you have ever noticed the handy map shown along Google’s organic search results when using the search engine, you may have wondered how you can get your own business to rank here. As a business owner, it is important that you do everything within your power to rank highly in Google and the Google local map pack is one of the best methods at your disposal to do so.
To say that Google’s local map pack is a powerful tool to get your business before the eyes of your target audience is an understatement. In fact, the Google local map pack appears in nearly 30 percent of all first page SERPs. This makes it the most frequently displayed SERP feature. So what can you do to rank in the Google local map pack? Today, Big Awesome Media will be detailing everything you need to know to rank highly in the Google local map pack and get your services noticed by locals. Let’s get started!
What is the Google Local Map Pack?
The Google local map pack, also known as Google’s local 3-pack is the SERP feature shaped like a map that is displayed to show the location of places advertising services or products similar to your search query. The feature also includes the NAP data (name, address, phone number) of featured businesses.
This feature replaces the original Google local 7-pack which displayed up to seven businesses based on search queries. Google has chosen to narrow down the search, making it vital that you, as a business owner, know how to get your business to rank in the Google local map pack.
With less spots available to be featured in, you’ll have to do everything in your power to win a spot out over your competitors. After all, the Google local map pack is displayed at the very top of SERPs, making it a prime location for clicks and generating customer interest.
How to Rank in Google’s Local Map Pack
Considering how valuable the improved visibility is if your business is able to rank within the Google local map pack, you are probably wondering what you need to do to get your business to rank there. Luckily, Big Awesome Media has all of the answers and we are happy to share the tips and tricks of ranking in the Google local map pack with you! We will be focusing on three key factors that determine whether or not a business ranks in Google’s local map pack.
Optimize Google My Business
First thing’s first. If your business does not already have an existing Google My Business page, you’ll need to create one and optimize it. Once you have created your own Google My Business page, you’ll want to make sure that all of the information showing up under your business listing is accurate and optimized for the most visibility possible.
To optimize your Google My Business page, there are a few key factors that demand your attention. Firstly, ensure that your business’s NAP is correct. Second, once your business is registered and verified, fill in the following fields to make sure your business is represented as well as possible:● Business Name● Pictures● Business Category● Business Citations● Reviews
By optimizing your Google My Business listing, you are making sure that all of your company’s data is accurate and this goes a long way in helping you rank in the Google local map pack. A business with inaccurate or incomplete info is unlikely to be chosen for display.
Gain More Reviews
Another important method at your disposal to increase your chances of ranking in the Google local map pack is to gain more reviews. Reviews are one of the factors that Google uses to decide which local businesses make it into the Google local map pack, and the more positive reviews that you have the better. Reviews are also one of the key bits of information presented whenever a user makes a search query and is shown the Google local map pack.
Offer current customers incentive to leave Google reviews of your products and/or services in the way of a discount on their next purchase or an entry in a company giveaway. This can go a long way in helping you to accumulate positive reviews and, therefore, increases your chances of ranking in the Google local map pack.
Business Citations
Finally, one of the best ways to improve your chances of ranking in the Google local map pack is to pay close attention to your business citations. Business citations are the company descriptions that appear on business listing websites such as Yelp or Yellow Pages and in SERPs.
It is vital that your business citations are entirely accurate and are also valuable opportunities for accumulating backlinks, a key factor that goes into search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. It is also helpful to include business citations on niche websites related to your industry as these are valuable opportunities for generating keywords for your website. Businesses with a large number of accurate business citations have the best chance of ranking in the Google local map pack.
Big Awesome Media Can Help You Rank in the Local Map Pack
Now that you know the three primary methods that you can use to rank in Google’s local map pack, it’s time to get to work!
Unfortunately, creating a Google My Business page, optimizing it, utilizing strategies to gain reviews, and doing maintenance on business citations can all be frustratingly tedious tasks. As a business owner, your time is precious and your attention should be placed upon your primary responsibilities. Big Awesome Media is here to help you rank in the Google local map pack!
At Big Awesome Media, we offer reputation management services that take care of these three main tasks in a single step. From gaining reviews to doing maintenance on your business citations, our team of qualified professionals is standing by to make sure your business is represented accurately and efficiently on the Web. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you rank in the Google local map pack!
