Ranking on Google Maps Fast Ranking on Google Maps Explained

Hey guys, thank you very much for joining me today. Are you a brand new business, or have you hired SEO firms in the past that promised results in 90 days but haven’t delivered? You know the importance of ranking high in Google Maps. However, you might find you only rank in the specific area where your Google Business Profile (GBP) is registered. The goal is to rank a couple of miles away, or even further. This video is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project to show you how to master Google Maps ranking and expand your ranking radius. Learn the essential steps, from measuring your starting point to optimizing your website and leveraging reviews.

Video Chapters:

  • 0:00 – 0:38 Introduction & The Ranking Problem
  • 0:38 – 2:29 Step 1: Using an SEO Grid Program
  • 2:29 – 3:07 (Example: Grid Improvement – Not detailed in provided text)
  • 3:07 – 4:25 (Domain Name Strategy – Not detailed in provided text)
  • 4:25 – 5:22 (Checking Domain History with archive.org – Not detailed in provided text)
  • 5:22 – 6:04 Step 3: Selecting Correct GMB Categories
  • 6:04 – 7:17 Step 6: The Power of Reviews & Need for More
  • 7:17 – 11:43 Step 6: Optimizing Reviews & Getting More
  • 11:43 – 12:41 Step 3: Getting Additional Categories (Tools: GMB Everywhere, GMB Crush)
  • 12:41 – 14:38 Step 3 & 5: Setting GMB Categories in Your Profile & GMB Hours
  • 14:38 – 15:11 Step 4: Website Optimization (Title, Phone Number, Navigation)
  • 15:11 – 18:04 Step 4: Website Optimization (Homepage, H-Tags, Imagery, FAQs, Location Signals, Footer Details, Map)
  • 18:04 – 19:56 Step 4: Website Optimization (Service Pages, Areas We Serve Pages)
  • 19:56 – 20:08 (Avoiding Spammy Domain History – Not detailed in provided text)
  • 20:08 – 20:32 Step 3: GMB Categories (Recap)
  • 20:32 – 20:51 Step 5: GMB Everywhere & Edit Profile (Recap)
  • 20:51 – 21:23 Step 4: Website H-Tags (Recap)
  • 21:23 – 21:56 Step 6: Reviews (Recap & Checking Competitors)
  • 21:56 – 22:12 Concluding Remarks: Value Provided & Offer for Help
  • 22:12 – 22:17 Outro

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Episode Transcript

Key Strategies for Google Maps Ranking:

  1. Assess Your Starting Point with SEO Grid Software

    • The first thing to start off any good program is a measuring device called SEO grid software.
    • It measures the proximity – how far you are ranking in your area.
    • You can see how far you are ranking and, better yet, how far your competition is ranking.
    • You put your website and keywords into the program, and it monitors your ranking.
    • A green dot means you’re ranking in the Google 3-pack.
    • Yellow or orange means you’re just outside the 3-pack.
    • Red means you can’t be found at all in the maps results.
    • Examples of SEO grid programs: Local Falcon (around $24/month), Bright Local, Local Viking (more technical, works with Google API), and Local Dominator (hearing good things about it).
  2. Leverage Press Releases for Visibility and Citations

    • Once you have your grid software, the next step is getting press releases.
    • A press release service will:
      • Increase your visibility.
      • Get you backlinks from news websites like CNBC, CNN, and Fox.
      • Boost organic traffic when people click links from the article.
      • Get you local citations.
    • A citation is an article with your Name, Address, Phone number, and Website (NAP).
    • Make sure your NAP and website are in the article. This is very important.
    • Have an article written (services often have writers) about something new at your business, like a new hire or service.
    • The article should be between 750 and 1,000 words.
    • Ensure the press release is put out on news sites with links coming back to your homepage.
    • This provides immediate exposure and Google sees traction from visitors.
    • Press Release Services: Quantumwire.app (press release stays on news sites for ~90 days), Web 20 Ranker (offer press and media kits), Fiverr (a more budget-friendly option; check for US distribution and indexed links!).
    • Crucially, ensure the articles are indexed so Google sees them. Otherwise, you’ve wasted money.
  3. Select the Correct Google Business Profile (GBP) Categories

    • Before modifying your website to rank in Google Maps, ensure you have the proper GBP categories.
    • This is probably the biggest ranking signal.
    • To find the right categories, type in the keyword you’re trying to rank for (e.g., “plumber St Petersburg”).
    • Use a tool like the free GMB Everywhere Chrome plugin or GMB Crush to see your competition’s categories.
    • Identify the categories the top competitors use most frequently.
    • Do not add too many categories. The video suggests no more than five as a general guideline (though maybe more for lawyers), as adding too many can water down your focus.
    • Edit your GBP profile categories.
  4. Optimize Your Website for Google Business Profile Ranking

    • Your website needs to be set up or modified to support ranking in Google Maps.
    • Website Structure & Content:
      • Your homepage should be about your primary GBP category and brand name.
      • Your homepage and main H-tags (headlines) should explicitly state what you do and where you’re from (e.g., “Divorce Lawyer in Staten Island”). Avoid generic phrases like “feel confident with our services” in your main H-tags. Use different variations of “what you do and where you’re from” throughout the website.
      • Use relevant imagery related to your category. Consider using a picture of yourself on the website, especially for service-based businesses or lawyers, so customers know who they’re hiring.
      • FAQs are a great place to include keywords related to your city and GBP category.
    • Navigation Links:
      • The first set of links in your navigation should be your GBP categories.
      • You don’t need a “Home” button if your logo links to the homepage (which most people know to click).
      • Avoid starting navigation with “About Us” as people want to know what you do and where you are first.
      • Your second set of links should be your keyword/service pages (e.g., “Practice Areas” for a lawyer). You need a dedicated page for every GBP category/keyword you want to rank for.
      • Next, include “Areas We Serve” with links to specific location pages. Start by targeting areas 3, 5, or 10 miles out, adjusting based on how spread out your location is (e.g., 2 miles in a dense city, 10-15 in Texas). Do not create too many area pages (e.g., 40 pages for a 10-page site) as it can confuse Google. Maybe create five to eight initially.
      • Your last link should always be your Contact Us link.
    • Location Signals & Footer:
      • Explicitly state on your website that you serve your GBP city and surrounding areas, using both text and pictures of the area.
      • Display your business hours in the footer exactly as they are listed in your GBP profile. List every day.
      • Embed your Google Business Profile map, not a generic maps.google.com map, on your website.
  5. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

    • The GBP is set up to be easy for business owners without SEO knowledge, but there are tricks. Getting the foundation right is key.
    • Edit Profile: Log in, click “edit profile”. Put your description stating what you do and where you do it. Fill out the rest of the information.
    • Hours: List your hours in the GBP exactly as they are listed on your website footer or contact page. List each day individually.
    • Services: Click “edit Services”. This is where you put in all your keyword pages (the second category of links on your website). Add descriptions here.
    • Google Posts (Add an Update): This is where you do your Google posts. Click “add update”. Add a picture (ideally related to your area). Put a description talking about what you do and where you do it, using keywords you’re trying to rank for. Include a call to action button.
    • Post Frequency: You want to do Google Business posts somewhere between three and five times a week. Don’t let it go stale.
  6. Master the Power of Reviews

    • Reviews are extremely important, especially in the Google 3-pack. The business with the most reviews in the 3-pack is likely taking the majority of calls.
    • You need to get your reviews up.
    • It’s easy to do: go to your GBP, click “ask for review,” get the link, and give it to people who have used your service.
    • Check your competition’s review count for the keywords you’re targeting. If competitors have thousands and you only have hundreds, you might not be able to compete well for that keyword, even if you appear in the 3-pack.
    • Aim for at least 100 reviews. If you don’t have 100, you’re way behind.
    • Optimize your reviews by encouraging customers to mention: your business name, the specific service (keyword), the area/location they are in, the technician they worked with, and positive descriptive words (like affordable, professional). Not all reviews need this optimization. Look at successful competitors’ reviews to see what customers are saying.

Final Thoughts:

The presenter shares these steps hoping to help you achieve success. It’s about winning, being able to take care of your family, making money, and being happy. You can ask questions by putting them in the comments. The presenter also offers direct contact.