5 Reasons Why Your Local Business Is Struggling to Rank on Google Maps (And How To Fix It) 

We’re pretty sure you’ve tried to look for a product or service near you and Google showed a map listing of all the relevant businesses in your area before it presented the organic search results.

This shows that your Google Maps listing is just as important as your ranking in local search results.

In fact, ranking higher on maps also means ranking on the first page of Google search. It can help you get discovered by new customers, attract more leads, and generate more sales.

However, just because your business is listed in Florida, doesn’t mean Google will automatically rank you for relevant searches in the area. You still need to work on your Florida SEO and optimize it to strengthen your visibility for local search.

Is your Google Maps listing ranking well?

It probably isn’t, which is why you’re here. But, don’t worry because we’ll discuss the most common reasons why local businesses struggle to rank on Google Maps. Not only that, but we’ll also share tips on how to fix it.

5 Reasons Why Your Local Business Is Struggling to Rank on Google Maps

Reason #1: Your Google My Business Isn’t Verified

First, claim your business on Google My Business, and then make sure to verify it. Unless your business listing in Google is verified, you won’t show up on the map results.

Here’s how to verify your business:

• Create a standard Google account for your business
• Create a Business Profile on Google
• Sign up for a Google My Business account
• Request to claim your Business Profile ‍
• Confirm ownership of your business

In case you didn’t know, creating a Google My Business account does not automatically connect it to your Business Profile. You need to manually link them by confirming ownership of your business.

Once you’ve verified your listing, follow these steps to optimize it:

• ‍Choose the right category to which your business belongs.  It’s possible that your listed GMB category is not an exact match with your business. If this happens, your listing will not show up for relevant searches and you won’t be able to connect with potential customers. So, make sure that your category is a close match or in context with your main keywords.‍
• Update your business hours. Always update your business or operating hours, especially during holidays, so customers and prospects can track your working hours. Also, see to it that you’re open before they drop by your store. ‍
• Update your contact number and website URL. Google is more likely to consider your business as credible or legit if you make constant edits to your listings to make it as accurate as possible. If you change your contact information or your website URL, don’t forget to update them in all your listings. This will allow Google to assist users by providing the correct information about your business on Google maps. ‍
• Get rid of any duplicate listings. Google is strict about having multiple listings, especially if your business is located in one area only. Get rid of any duplicate listings and make sure to prompt Google Maps about it by updating your information. ‍
• Incorporate your primary and secondary keywords into your listing. Just like traditional SEO, Google Maps also uses keywords and search phrases when it comes to providing the best results to searchers. So, make sure to optimize your listing by using your primary keyword in your business name and your secondary keywords in your description. ‍
• Post photos of your business and your products or services. Businesses that post photos get 35% more clicks and 42% driving direction requests compared to those with no pictures. The human eyes are naturally drawn to images, so attract a potential customer’s attention with a beautiful photo of your shop’s façade, your scrumptious meals, or whatever it is that you have to offer.

Take your time verifying your Business Profile and fill out every information you need accurately. Don’t leave any blanks and make sure to optimize it for Florida SEO.  

Reason #2: You Don’t Have Any Google Reviews

Another reason why your business is struggling to rank on Google Maps is either you don’t have any ratings or you only have negative reviews.

Positive reviews and ratings are trust signals that prompt search engine bots to rank your business accordingly. They also tell human users whether or not your business is credible and if they should engage with you.

Here are a few stats explaining why you should definitely collect good feedback:

• 89% of people read reviews or check out ratings before making a purchase. (Trustpilot)
• Customers are likely to spend 31% more on a business with great reviews. (Invesp)
• 94% of shoppers admit that an online review has convinced them to avoid a business. (ReviewTrackers)

The more positive reviews you have, the more likely a potential customer will end up contacting or visiting your business. As for negative reviews, they can only drive potential customers away.

If you don’t have any ratings or positive reviews, urge your customers to leave you one and make sure to respond to both negative and positive reviews. You can get more reviews by using any of these tips: ‍

• ‍Ask customers politely in person if they would be willing to leave a review in your GMB listing. ‍
• Provide incentives like a discount or a freebie. Offer something in exchange, like a coupon they can use during  their next purchase or a free item they can claim from your shop. ‍
• Send your customers an email asking them to leave a review. Follow up with them and ask them about their recent experience with you via email. Encourage them to share it online by leaving a review. ‍
• Respond to reviews. It doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative - always thank them for their feedback. Do this as politely and professionally as possible. ‍
• Act upon negative reviews. Apologize to your customer if they’re not satisfied with your product or service. If you’re really in the wrong, offer a refund or maybe a big discount the next time they come back. You also want to make sure that you act upon their complaints, whether it has something to do with your products, customer service, delivery time, or whatnot.

Reason #3: You Don’t Have a Google Map on Your Site

If you don’t have a Google map of your location on your site, then it’s time to insert one on your contact me page. This will help improve your ranking on Google maps and it will allow prospects to conveniently pinpoint your location fast.

Adding Google maps on your website serves as a confirmation that you’re in the area you claim to be located on Google My Business. Include the name of your business to the neighborhood so your target audience can easily find you.

Inserting Google maps on a website is simple. Here’s how:

• Go to Google maps and type in your physical location on the search bar.
• Decide on whether you want to embed a street view, map, or directions image of your location.
• Click on the three-lined button right next to your business name.
• Right-click on ‘share map’ and you’ll get a link you can use to embed a map of your business location on your site.

Reason #4: You Didn't Include Your Primary Keywords in Your GMB Business Name

It’s easier to figure out what a business is all about if it’s stated in its name.

For example, the business name Dale’s Waxing Salon tells you immediately what this establishment is all about. On the other hand, a business name like Ruthie’s Store is vague and suggests nothing about what it’s selling.

Including your primary keywords in your Google My Business listing is one of the most crucial factors that can influence your ranking on Google Maps. This will not only help you connect with the right audience, but also prompts search engine bots to rank you for relevant searches.

Reason #5: You Don’t Have Any Local Citations

A local citation is any online reference of your business name, address, or phone number. This can be on social media, local business directories, local news websites, local bloggers, etc.

If you want to rank well on Google Maps and be a part of the Google Maps Pack, then you need to build your local relevance. You can do this through on-page and off-page optimizations.

For on-page, you can add your location into your content. Let’s say you own a bakeshop in Florida. You can establish your local relevance by adding the word Florida in your keywords, business name, and meta descriptions.

For off-page, you can get local citations by doing the following:

• Submitting editorials to your local newspapers
• Partnering with a local blogger
• Sponsoring local events
• Enlisting your business on trusted local business directories
• Joining industry-specific platforms that are popular in your area. For example, if own a hotel, then enlisting your business on TripAdvisor.com will get you lots of customers.

Looking for an SEO Expert in Florida?

Your Google Maps listing is an important marketing tool that can put your business ahead of your competitors, attract the right customers, and drive more foot traffic to your shop.

Make sure to get your GMB verified, urge your customers to get more reviews, use your keywords in your listing, get local citations, and optimize your Florida SEO to boost your online visibility and local ranking on Google Maps!

At Digital Resource, our team of SEO experts will not only put your business on the map, but we can also help you achieve business goals and growth through effective SEO.

Check out our client testimonials to see how we’ve helped hundreds of other businesses in California succeed online. If it happened to them, it’s possible for you, too!

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