10 Steps to Rank Higher on Google Maps in 2024

Understanding how to rank higher on Google Maps is significant as it can attract more customers for local businesses in the United States. 

With the increasing reliance on mobile and location-based searches, ranking higher on Google Maps can significantly impact your business's visibility and customer engagement.

In this article, you will learn how to rank on Google Maps effectively so that your business can be in the top place to reach more customers in the targeted local area.

How to Rank Higher on Google Maps

Here are 10 steps on how to increase your ranking on Google Maps and engage with local customers in the United States:

1. Add Your Business to Google Maps

The first step on how to rank higher on Google Maps effectively is to ensure your business is listed. 

To check if your business is already listed, search for your business name on Google.com/maps or the Google Maps app. If it appears, you can skip this step. If not, use the "add a missing place" option and provide your business name, category, and location. 

Remember, anyone can add a business, but only the owner who claims and verifies the listing will have control over it.

2. Claim Your Business Listing on Google Maps

The second step on how to rank higher on Google Maps is to claim your business listing on it. This allows you to provide comprehensive details about your business, thereby increasing visibility and ranking on Google Maps. Here's how to proceed:

1. Ensure you have a Google My Business account: This free account is essential for managing your business listing on Google Maps.

2. Claim your business listing:

• Navigate to your business listing on Google Maps.
• Select the option that says “Claim this business” or “Own this business?”
• Follow the prompts to verify and claim ownership.

3. Add Complete Information on Your Google Maps

The third step on how to rank higher on Google Maps is to add complete information on it. Once your Google My Business account is set up and linked to your Google Maps listing, optimizing it with detailed information is key to improving your local search ranking. 

You can use the "Info" tab in your Google My Business dashboard to fill out essential details such as your business name, category, address, service area, hours of operation, phone number, website, products, services, attributes, and a compelling business description. 

In this step, you have to ensure consistency across all online platforms to build trust with Google and potential customers. 

Keeping your information updated, including holiday hours, and choosing the most relevant business categories will further enhance your visibility and ranking on Google Maps.

4. Use Photos on Your Google Maps

The fourth step in how to rank higher on Google Maps is to use photos on your account. Enhancing your Google Maps ranking involves more than just textual information—it's also about visually engaging potential customers. 

By regularly uploading high-quality photos and videos to your Google My Business listing, you not only signal to Google that your listing is active and relevant but also appeal directly to consumers' preferences. 

Google's evolving photo-recognition technology further underscores the importance of visual content in local search results. 

To optimize it, visit the "Photos" tab in your Google My Business dashboard and regularly update with captivating images that showcase your business environment and offerings. 

5. Ask for Reviews on Google

The next step in how to rank higher on Google Maps is by actively asking for and responding to reviews on your Google My Business listing. 

Earning positive reviews on Google is a powerful way to boost your business's visibility and ranking on Google Maps. 

Therefore, you need to actively encourage customers to leave reviews by providing excellent service and making it easy for them to share their experiences. 

In addition, responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, not only shows your engagement but also builds trust with potential customers.

6. Combine your Google Maps Listings

The other step in how to rank higher on Google Maps is to combine your listings, ensuring accuracy and consistency, which Google prioritizes in business listings. 

To enhance your ranking, you need to ensure that you have one authoritative listing that accurately represents your business. You also need to get rid of duplicate listings, incorrect phone numbers, or outdated information to consolidate your presence. 

This simplified approach not only avoids confusion among potential customers but also signals to Google that your business is credible and deserves to rank higher in local search results.

7. Create a Post Regularly on Your Google Maps Business Listing

The next step in how to rank higher on Google Maps is by consistently publishing posts on your Google Maps business listing, demonstrating proactive management, which Google values in its ranking algorithm. 

These posts not only engage potential customers actively searching but also showcase your latest offers or updates directly on Google Maps. 

This strategy not only boosts visibility but also increases the likelihood of engagement from users with high purchase intent, ultimately improving your business's ranking in local search results on Google Maps.

8. Ensure Your Website Is User-Friendly

Ensuring your website is responsive and user-friendly across all devices is one of the critical aspects of how to rank higher on Google Maps. 

Since Google Maps listings link directly to your website, it's essential that visitors can navigate your site smoothly without issues like broken links or slow loading times, especially since a majority of Google searches occur on mobile devices. 

9. Apply Local Keywords on Your Website

Implementing local keywords into your website is a great strategy on how to rank better on Google Maps. This approach not only enhances your visibility in local search results on Google Search but also strengthens your business’s position in Google Maps listings.

By strategically embedding location-based keywords across various parts of your website—you signal to Google that your business is a significant entity in your local area. 

This localized content helps Google’s algorithms to rank better your business in relevant local search results and on Google Maps.

10. Embed the Google Map Link on Your Website

Embed the Google Map link on your website is the last step on how to improve ranking in Google Maps. This practice reinforces your business's location as specified in your Google Maps listing and aligns your website's content with your Google business profile.

To embed the map, simply search for your business on Google Maps, click “Share,” select the “Embed a map” option, and place the provided link on your contact page.

By embedding the Google Map link, you provide clear and consistent location information to Google, which helps validate the accuracy of your business's address.

Conclusion 

That was a full explanation of how to get your business higher on Google Maps that you can apply to reach the local market in the United States.

Optimizing your Google Maps listing is an integral part of your broader SEO strategy. There are many more SEO strategies that you can apply to improve your ranking on search engines, such as keyword research, content optimization, and site audit. 

If you find it difficult to do these various approaches, you can entrust it to cmlabs. The cmlabs team with expertise and experience in various fields can help you achieve your business goals through personalized SEO solutions.

Try our SEO Services by cmlabs now and see how we can elevate your business in SERPs!