Google Maps Local SEO: How to be found on Google in 2022

Google Mapping is a challenge that faces many local businesses that are in need of digital marketing, being found on Google Earth isn't an easy process but in order to rank at the top of google maps you first need to understand how it works.

Google Maps:

according to the themanifest most searchers prefer to look for directions on google

assume you're in a trip with your family and are looking for a restuarant most people would search in google directions for "Restuarants near me" a list like the one below is likely to appear.

most people will visit the restuarants that rank on the top, therefore having a Google Maps SEO strategy is critical and knowing what are the factors that can optimize your google location is important.

How To Add Your Business to Google Maps:

to add your business to Google Maps you want to go to Google Maps and look for the name of your Store if it appears it means you already have your store listed.

In case your store name doesn't appear you want to click on "add a missing place"

Once you click on it, you will be asked to provide certain information such as Place Name, Category and Address to your Store.

its worth to mention that any person has the possibility to add a Store to Google Maps but only the person who provide a proof that they own the Store can control it.

after you succesful add your location to Google Maps you are ready to perfect your Google Mapping Strategy by following the steps below:

1-Make sure your name matches the name in your other social media platforms and website

2-Use a local number

3-Keep your office hours updated during holidays and weekdays

keep your business hours updated so you don't get "hours may differ" in your store, this will show google that you're trustworthy.

Google Maps SEO:

in order to improve your Google Mapping Strategy for local search you might want to include local keywords such as "Barcelona, Spain" make sure to include location-based keywords in your home page, as well as other pages and pictures this will help the search engine detect where your business is located and optimize its directions on google.

notice how in this example Level Shoes has optimized Google Maps SEO Strategy for local search by including the location of their store, now lets try to search for a "shoe shop in Dubai":

2-Link Google Maps to your website:

connecting Google Maps to your website is important to your Google Mapping Strategy as its another way not only to detect the keywords on your website but also to tell google that your business is located where you claim it is located.

3-Post on regular basis

when a consumer finds your business in google they're curious to know more about it therefore, you need to post regularly, this will also tell google you're working to optimize your google location which can help you list higher for directions on google.

4-GET reviews!

I cant stress enough how important social proof is in modern marketing, reviews are hard to get and can be risky, but the better reviews you have the higher you will rank in google therefore you will have to actively ask your customers to provide you with a review in google, you can also provide them a discount for it but in the long run its a good investment