Essential Guide to Increasing Your Google Business Profile Rankings

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is critical, but where to begin? This article covers the basics before you move on to more sophisticated concepts.

“How Can I Rank Better on Google Maps?”

This is the most common question for business owners that are beginning to go beyond the setup phase of their Google My Business profile. Business listings on Google Maps are becoming more nuanced, more powerful, and more accurate, allowing potential consumers to quickly get the information they need to make a decision about your business. Make sure your Google My Business listing is in optimal shape, so you achieve and maintain a higher rank on Google Maps.

Here’s what you want to do (in this order):

  1. Choose your Google My Business categories properly
  2. Decide the relevant keywords (using keywords in your Google My Business name can help rankings, but stay within guidelines)
  3. Optimize your website
  4. Report competitors that are breaking guidelines
  5. Confirm directory citations
  6. Fill-out all your Google My Business profile fields
  7. Collect customer reviews (and reply to them)
  8. Schedule consistent Google My Business posts
  9. Add images and video to your Google My Business listing
  10. Add Questions and Answers to your Google My Business listing
  • Bonus: Familiarize yourself with algorithmic issues that affect some listings

1) Make Sure Your Categories Are Set Correctly

Make sure your primary category reflects the main keyword(s) for which you’re trying to rank. Check what your competitors are using by typing your main keyword into a Google Maps search and investigate the most common profiles.

2) Setting the Title of your Google My Business Business Listing

The name used on your Google My Business listing is arguably the most important Google Maps ranking factor. Your name must not include marketing taglines or service information that isn’t part of your real-world representation.

3) Optimizing your Associated Website

Add the URL of your business’s website and ensure that it is properly optimized. The more data Google has about your business, the better it will potentially rank.

Important SEO Tips:

  1. Make sure your site is indexed in Google.
  2. The Home Page title must contain the business name, main keywords, and location.
  3. Create a separate page for each service.
  4. List your address and phone number on your website.

4) Reporting Competitors that are Breaking Google Maps Guidelines

Report listings that are keyword stuffing or fake listings to ensure visibility for legitimate businesses.

5) Directory Listings & Citations

Your business’s ranking in Google Maps is directly related to the amount and accuracy of the information Google finds about you. More accurate information equates to better rankings.

6) Completing all Google My Business Profile Fields

Fill out all the fields on the Info tab of your Google My Business dashboard. The more complete your profile, the better.

7) Customer Reviews and Replies

Attracting reviews and responding to them can help improve visibility. Google sees this as a sign of credibility.

8) Consistent Google My Business Posting

Using Google Posts can help increase interaction with your listing.

9) Adding Images to your Google My Business Listing

Providing and updating business information, including images, in Google My Business can help your business’s local ranking.

10) Questions and Answers for your Google My Business Listing

Having more photos than your competition and continuous activity on your listing can help improve rankings.

Bonus Section – What Else Can Affect Local Rankings?

Other factors such as duplicate listings or being in a competitive category can affect visibility.

Now that you know the top ten ranking factors for Google My Business, it’s time to take action!