Is your business optimized for Google Maps?

Which app helps you find the nearest petrol bunk? Google Maps.

How do you know which eatery is closest to your home? Google Maps.

Before we even realized what was happening, Google Maps took over our lives. Today, most of us do not step out of the house without opening the app to check the distance, ETA, ratings, reviews, etc.

Now, let’s look at it from a business point of view. When pretty much everyone is using Google Maps, isn’t it inevitable for local businesses to be on it as well? Isn’t it mandatory in today’s times to ensure that the Google My Business page is updated, optimized, and informative? Imagine someone searching for a business like yours and choosing your competitor solely because they had the good sense to optimize their business for Google Maps! That’s too big a loss to absorb!

So, instead of thinking about the losses you incurred until now, let’s focus on how you can establish your business on Google Maps so that you turn the tables in your favor.

Strengthen your local SEO game

Unless your local SEO is strong, you won’t be able to make a mark on Google Maps. Update all the information about your business and explain your offerings in detail. This will help you climb up the Google Maps Index ladder.

Also, claim your Google My Business page and verify it. This is a simple, straightforward process. Visit www.google.com/business and get started immediately!

Whatever Google wants to know, share with it!

Google will ask you a variety of questions through an exhaustive form. Take time out and fill it. Do not leave out any of the questions. Why is this so important? We will tell you.

Pro-tip: Log into your Google My Business account regularly to see if someone has made changes or suggested edits. If yes, re-edit according to requirement so that it doesn’t affect your image in the long run.

Allow booking an appointment

Users like convenience. They want to be able to do everything with the click of a button. If your business model allows it, why not let them book an appointment on Google itself? Google has a list of scheduling providers that you can sign up with and do the needful.

Trust us, this is an extremely handy feature for services, products, and consultations.

Answer all the questions!

Google My Business allows visitors to ask questions about businesses. In fact, more than 25% of the businesses online have been asked questions but sadly, most of them are unanswered. You could earn a superb competitive edge by answering these questions and providing the required information to your users.

The icing on the cake here is that Google will notify you about new questions via email. That makes things easier, doesn’t it?

Encourage your current customers to review your business

Did you know that reviews can improve your local SEO rankings? Yes! Google is a great advocate of genuine reviews. Plus, users trust reviews more than anything else. More than 80%, in fact, choose a place or business based on online reviews. This should tell you about the gravity of these little testimonials.

Post regularly

Finally, we advise you to post regularly on your Google My Business page. Post latest photos and videos (very important!) and updates (just like any social media platform). This will help your users stay on top of things. You could post about any events, blog posts, webinars, etc.

Now that you know what to do, it is time to do it! Go to Google My Business and get started!