90% of YOU Can Fix Your Google Maps Rankings {All By Yourself}

Learn how to improve your Google Maps rankings and get into the Google 3-pack in this comprehensive guide. Discover on-page website optimizations, essential Google Business Profile strategies, the power of reviews, and off-page tactics you can implement yourself. This checklist-based approach breaks down the process into easy-to-understand sections to help your local business rank higher. This video is dedicated to Darren Marian.

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Chapters:

  • 0:00 – Introduction: Getting into the Google 3-Pack – Introduction to the topic and a promise to show how a client got into the Google 3-pack in under 30 days.
  • 0:12 – The Google Maps Checklist: On-Page, GMB, and Off-Page – The video outlines a three-section checklist covering on-page website optimization, Google Business Profile (GMB) strategies, and off-page efforts.
  • 0:25 – Section 1: On-Page Website Optimization – This section focuses on everything done directly on your website.
  • 0:40 – Homepage Essentials: What You Do and Where You Do It – Ensure your homepage clearly explains your services and service area. This information should also be in the title tag of your website. It’s crucial to name the city first in the title tag (e.g., Honolulu Urgent Care Center, not Urgent Care Center of Honolulu).
  • 2:54 – Optimizing H1 Tags: Your H1 tag, usually the largest on the homepage, should also clearly state your city and service (e.g., Honolulu Urgent Care Center) with the city name first.
  • 3:17 – Key Homepage Elements: Include your address (under the logo), a prominent phone number on the right-hand side, and the credit cards you accept. If phone calls are important, make your phone number large.
  • 4:05 – Homepage Content Strategy: Focus on Primary GMB Category and Location – Your homepage should be primarily about your top GMB category (e.g., urgent care center) and your location (e.g., Honolulu). List your hours for each day individually, not in ranges (e.g., Monday through Saturday). Place social media links at the bottom of the page, not the top, to avoid users leaving your site prematurely.
  • 5:33 – Navigation Structure: GMB Categories, Keywords, and Areas Served – Your homepage should represent your primary GMB category and location. The second navigation link should be your second GMB category [3, 23, 5:52]. The subsequent links should be keyword pages (services you’re trying to rank for) and then areas you serve pages (starting with nearby areas and expanding outwards) [3, 24, 6:50].
  • 7:46 – Navigation Don’ts: Avoid using “Home” as your first link (the logo serves this purpose) and “About Us” as your second link. The last link should always be “Contact Us” [4, 29, 10:44]. After the essential links, you can include pages like FAQs, payment options, About Us, and Meet the Team.
  • 8:31 – Embedding Your GMB Map: Embed your GMB map in the footer if you have only one location. If you have two or more locations, do not embed the map in the footer. Instead, create a “Locations” page (or put maps on individual location or contact pages).
  • 10:44 – Identifying Your Main GMB Category: Use the GMB Everywhere Chrome extension to see the categories your competitors are using. You can get one or two free searches daily. Search for your main keyword (e.g., plumber, lawyer, urgent care center) and see the categories listed under your competition [5, 32, 11:36].
  • 11:56 – Creating “People Also Ask” Pages: Create pages on your website addressing the “People Also Ask” questions that appear in Google local search results for your industry. These pages can be blog posts or regular website pages. You don’t necessarily need to put these in the main navigation.
  • 13:10 – Internal Backlinking Strategy: Create internal backlinks by linking relevant keywords (especially your primary GMB category) within your website content back to the page you want to promote (often the homepage). This strengthens the target page in Google’s eyes.
  • 14:52 – Section 2: Google Business Profile (GMB) Optimization – This section covers optimizing your GMB directly. Access your GMB by searching for your brand name and ensuring you’re logged in with the associated email. Click “Edit profile”.
  • 15:23 – Selecting GMB Categories: Choose three to five categories for your GMB profile. Use the GMB Everywhere tool to see the additional categories your competition is using. If you don’t have the tool, search on Google for your main category to see suggested related categories (e.g., searching “Doctor” might suggest “Family Practice physician” or “Internist”).
  • 16:49 – Utilizing Google Business Posts: Regularly use the “Add update,” “Add offer,” and “Add event” features in your GMB profile [7, 41, 16:56]. Include relevant pictures of your business, team, or local area (avoid pictures of kids or unrelated items). In your posts, mention what you do and where you do it and include a button. Post three to five times a week, especially when you’re starting out [7, 42, 17:40]. This helps Google understand your business.
  • 19:32 – The Importance of Google Reviews: Getting reviews is crucial for improving your Google Maps rankings.
  • 19:40 – Asking for Reviews (Direct Link): Log into your GMB, click “Ask for reviews,” copy the link, and share it with clients via email, Facebook, WhatsApp, or text [8, 46, 19:45]. Encourage them to mention your business name, the service they received, and their location in their review.
  • 20:24 – Encouraging Natural Reviews (Keyword Search): To make reviews appear more natural to Google, occasionally have computer-savvy customers search for a keyword you’re trying to rank for (e.g., plumber near me), scroll down to find your listing, click it, go to the reviews section, and write a review. This shows Google the user actively searched for your business [8, 48, 23:12]. Avoid having too many reviews come directly from the shareable link in a short period. QR codes on business cards that directly link to reviews can also appear unnatural if all your reviews come from that source.
  • 23:45 – Golden Nugget: Leveraging Employee Google Maps Usage (Brick and Mortar) – For businesses with a physical location, have a few employees (e.g., five per week initially, adjust based on walk-in traffic) use Google Maps to navigate to your business from their home and back during work hours. This signals to Google that people are using Maps to go to your location. You can also do this yourself. Don’t overdo this if you have many employees.
  • 25:28 – Section 3: Off-Page Optimization – This section covers activities done outside your website and GMB profile.
  • 25:35 – The Importance of Citations: Citations are listings in online directories like Yelp, Thumbtack, and Angie’s List. There are thousands, some specific to your industry. Ensure you are listed in the directories that are important for your business.
  • 26:02 – Finding Relevant Directories (Competitor Analysis): To find relevant directories, search on Google for your top one to three competitors’ websites (without the “www.”). Google will often list the directories and social media accounts where that website is listed. Aim to be in the same directories as your higher-ranking competitors.
  • 28:55 – Off-Page Pages (Web 2.0 Properties): For reaching specific local areas where you don’t have a physical presence, consider creating off-page profiles on platforms like Tumblr or Blogger (Web 2.0 properties). You can find services to create these on Fiverr. Name these pages relevant to the local area (e.g., Villas of Bonnie Bay) and talk about your services in that context, linking back to your website (homepage or relevant service page). This is a tactic for stubborn accounts that aren’t ranking well.
  • 31:10 – The Value of Video Marketing: Creating videos is beneficial as you can include a link in the description back to your website (homepage, service page, or areas served page). Videos also signal to Google what you do and where you do it. Embed videos on your website pages.

Leave a Comment: What are your biggest takeaways for improving your local Google Maps rankings? What on-page, GMB, or off-page strategies are you going to implement first?