{"id":224114,"date":"2020-03-27T17:41:32","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T12:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/18.224.85.231\/?p=224114"},"modified":"2020-04-18T17:10:28","modified_gmt":"2020-04-18T11:40:28","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-ranking-in-google-maps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qcsglobal.com\/blogs\/a-beginners-guide-to-ranking-in-google-maps\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Ranking in Google Maps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For local businesses today, there are numerous different ways to market your brand online. The majority of your potential customers still use Google to find local businesses near them \u2014 businesses where they will spend their hard-earned money. In fact, 80% of searches<\/a> with \u201clocal intent\u201d result in a conversion.<\/p>\n

This begs the question: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best way to catch the attention of local searchers on Google?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer: through Google Maps marketing.<\/p>\n

What is Google Maps marketing?<\/h2>\n

Google Maps marketing is the process of optimizing the online presence of your brand in Google Maps, with the goal of increasing your brand\u2019s online visibility.<\/p>\n

When you search a query on Google that has local intent, you often see something like this:<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

Google Maps marketing utilizes a number of strategies and tactics to help your business become one of those three positions on local map packs.<\/p>\n

Why is marketing important for Google Maps?<\/h2>\n

The reason every local business should care about ranking in Google Maps is simple: potential brand visibility.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no surprise that Google is by far the most popular search engine. But what about Google Maps specifically?<\/p>\n

One study found that nearly 70% of smartphone users say they use Google Maps most frequently<\/a>. On top of that, out of the 3.5 billion searches that happen on Google each day, more and more are considered to have local intent. According to Google<\/a>, 83% of U.S. people who visited a store said they used online search before going in.<\/p>\n

Thus, any business that is serious about getting found in this day and age needs to utilize the power behind Google Maps marketing. This is why we at Ratynski Digital<\/a> focus much of our local SEO time on getting our clients to rank both in Google Maps AND organic search results.<\/p>\n

Before you can rank in Google Maps, make sure you have first set up and optimized your Google My Business profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is Google My Business?<\/h2>\n

Google My Business (GMB) is a free platform provided by Google where local businesses can create a profile that is displayed across a variety of Google products.<\/p>\n

In order to qualify for a GMB profile you must make in-person contact with your customers during your stated business hours. This may mean that you have a brick-and-mortar location where customers come to see you, or perhaps you travel to see your customers.<\/p>\n

A GMB profile can display a variety of information about your business such as:<\/p>\n