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Google Maps: Boost Local Business - Part I

 Tuesday, August 25, 2020

With more than 1 billion users and 5 million active apps & websites, Google Maps has emerged as a go-to tool for local marketing. 

In addition to finding directions and spaces, this mapping service by tech giant Google is strategically used by local businesses. to promote goods & services while enjoying higher online visibility.

We at Walibu understand the importance of Google Maps for business and have drafted a 3-post long blog series. We’ll guide you on how to use Google Maps to boost your local sales and market performance - let’s get started. 

What is Google Maps Marketing?

Google Maps marketing is all about optimizing the online presence of a business to rank higher in search results. It uses the Google Maps feature to locate a store or office with little to no effort. 

To discover the full potential of Google Maps, you need to work together on Google My Business optimization, on-site optimization, online reputation management, review generation, and other strategies that maximize search exposure. Idea is to attract people who are looking for your brand or services/products similar to what you offer. 

Why is Google Maps Marketing Important?

As per the estimates, 80% of people search online before making a final purchase. Further, 79% of smartphone users make comparisons using their phones, learn about a product, or locate a store. 

If you want to capitalize on this big chunk of people, you have to optimize your online visibility. Being on Google Maps will automatically optimize your search presence and people are likely to find you online. It can make your brick-mortar shop both discoverable and findable, thus adding more to the bottom line.

How Local Businesses Can Leverage Google Maps?

Small businesses can largely benefit from Google Maps marketing.

As Google Maps improves the online presence, it gives great exposure amongst people. This tracks in-depth user engagement, eventually helping businesses to make better decisions and streamline their work operations. Here are some ways You can make Google Maps work in your favor - 

Deliver a better user experience

“Pizza parlor”, “Iron contractors near me,” and many such search queries when provided with instant solutions and answers improve the user experience. 

Small businesses shouldn’t miss this opportunity and work on on-page optimization with specific local terminology if they have a website. Fill your Google My Business profile with accurate information; so, your users won’t have to go round the city searching your address.

Cost-effective

Google Maps marketing can drive double the local foot traffic to each of the business store locations for a very inexpensive amount. It increases business visibility at users’ on-the-go moments when they are searching to eat, buy, or find something. 

You can add commonly sought after facts and answers regarding hours of operations for your business, contact number, reviews, and many more resources to provide instant answers. This way, it becomes possible to drive more sales without incurring additional advertising costs.

Improves brand visibility

Updating your business on Google Maps will give your business the needed space online by increasing the visibility in knowledge graphs, news, and maps. 

Considering this, you can include your business logo in your social media channels and URL. As users also discover current happenings in their locality or area, your business can also show up in those happenings. Do note that you need to follow Google’s general structured data quality guidelines and technical guidelines for event markup.

We hope this was a useful read. Stay tuned for our next post, we’ll guide you more on Google Maps. 

To discuss your local SEO strategy, contact us today - we will be happy to assist you.

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