The Role of Google Maps Optimisation in Driving Local Business Growth

What Influences Google Maps Results?

Google Maps uses a number of criteria to rank listings, including:

• Google My Business – a well-optimised listing with accurate and updated information
• Reviews and ratings – customer feedback is essential, when complemented with other factors
• Authority and relevance – the relevance of your business to the search term, along with your perceived authority in your industry
• User engagement – engaging posts help to boost rankings, such as virtual tours, and updated images and videos

Proximity

Your physical location plays a major role in ranking in Google Maps. With more users relying on mobile devices, location-based results are growing in popularity. Google Maps uses your business location to determine the best ranking. The closest business will often take the first ranking spot, the most visible option. It then proceeds to provide additional listings.

Google Maps relies on location data to provide users with relevant results.

Credibility and Trust

When you optimise for Google Maps you make your business visible, while improving credibility and trust. Consumers are more likely to trust businesses with a strong online presence, accurate information, positive reviews, and high quality media. When you manage your Google Business Profile actively, it helps reflect professionalism, credibility, and trust.

Positive reviews play a vital role in building trust with eighty seven percent of today's consumers reading online reviews before making a purchasing decision, and close to eighty percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

User Experience

Google Maps provides users with a seamless experience, providing all the information needed in one place. This includes your business contact information, operating hours, directions, customer reviews, and more. 

Foot Traffic and Revenue

Local businesses with a physical location that take advantage of Google Maps optimisation can significantly increase foot traffic. When your audience can find your location quickly and easily on Google Maps, they are more likely to visit your business.

Did you know that seventy six percent of users searching for businesses nearby using their mobile device visit the business within twenty four hours with twenty eight resulting in a purchase?

Conclusion

Google Maps optimisation is essential for local businesses that want to reach their local audience in a competitive environment. When you optimise your presence on Google Maps, you can improve online visibility, credibility, improve user experience, and drive traffic to your website and physical location. Genie Crawl is backed by more than 10 years experience providing local businesses with effective strategies to reach their target audience at the right time. Contact us now to find out how.