No one is a stranger to map packs. There’s a high possibility that you’ve made use of it in your car, on your personal computer, and even on your smartphones – even if you don’t realize it. The world is a digital village, and everything we need can be gotten within a few clicks.
If you’re driving and need directions to an unfamiliar location, all you have to do is use the Google 3 pack navigation on your car or smartphone. The same functionality plays when you want to locate the nearest fast food joint near you.
Businesses are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to put themselves in front of their customers. Thus, you should consider getting your business on the map pack beyond your web analytics and web design.
Do you want to improve your Google My Business ranking on search engine result pages (SERPs)? Do you want to use digital marketing to improve your local brand on google map listings? Google map packs are one of the strategies to deploy.
This article will explore everything you need to know about Google map pack and how to get your business on google maps.
Google Map Pack: What It Is & How It Works
Google Map Pack (or Google 3 pack) is what appears at the top of the SERPs when for local keyword searches. You typically see the google map packs when ‘near me’ searches are carried out by users interested in a particular brand, service, or product.
It looks just like this:
It is nicknamed google 3 pack or local 3 pack because it only displays 3 businesses about your search query. From the above image, you can spot the 3 businesses displayed for the search query ‘fast food near salt lake city ut.’
These google map citations for local SEO are accompanied by business location and direction, phone number, website address, customer reviews, and other information.
How does it work?
It’s simple. When someone types a local search query, Google curates the 3 highly ranked businesses in the vicinity. It used to be 7 but google limited it to display the best 3. In some cases, you might see a sponsored ad displayed alongside the 3 businesses.
The bottom line is google maps target people who need a local brand or service.
Why Is It Important for Your Business?
Digital marketing strategy is all about identifying what works and using it to your advantage. Google local map pack is an excellent strategy to thrive beyond your competition and register more conversions for your business.
How?
● You get more clicks. According to research, the google 3 pack listings receive 75% of total clicks on local SERPs. This means that if your brand gets displayed on the local pack google, you will get more website visitors, phone calls from customers, and more people getting directions to your premises.
● More visibility. Map pack SEO appears at the top of SERPs, just above organic results. It’s the first thing a user sees when entering a local search. This means you get more visibility compared to local organic search results.
● Map packs dominate mobile searches. According to research, 3 of 4 persons who carry out a local search on their devices visit the brand within 24 hours. Since google 3 pack ads appear at the top of SERPs, your business is more likely to be visited.
● Boost brand reputation. Appearing on the google 3 pack listings promotes your brand reputation. It means google trusts your business to the point of showcasing it to others.
● Customers get more information about your business. Another uniqueness to google local map pack is that your potential customers can learn about your business faster than ever. They can see your contact address, phone number, directions, website, and what others say about your brand. All of this information can influence the buying decisions of your customers.
These points make google map pack beneficial and essential for your business.
How to Rank in Map Pack
Do you know how to get in the Google 3 pack during local SEO searches? There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for making this happen.
Google map pack requirements are constantly evolving. However, there are specific steps to take to improve your google my business rankings, enhancing your chance of being on the google 3 pack listings. They include:
1. Optimize Google My Business Listing
Thinking of how to get your business on google maps? One of the best places to start is your google my business listing. If you don’t have one created, you need to create and optimize your business.
Google My Business is a unique resource to enlist your business to appear on SERPs where specific keywords are being searched. If you don’t have a google my business account, you need to create one. Google My Business improve local ranking and can help you outrank your rivals.
After creating your GMB page, you need to optimize it to appear on google map packs. Follow these steps:
● Use your exact business name.
● Remove erroneous information and duplicate listings.
● Input your business information such as category, map location, phone number, URL, hours of operation, etc.
● Writing a winning copy for your business description.
● Upload high-quality pictures.
These tips will help optimize google map listing for your business.
2. Get Online Reviews
Another way you can get your business on google 3 pack listing is to generate online customer reviews. People are on the lookout for companies they can trust. Before patronizing a business online, they’d want to read what others say about it. There’s a maps performance reviews on the google map pack with ratings on it.
A business with more positive reviews can rank higher on local SEOs and even get a spot on the Google map packs. Follow these tips to build your map reviews:
● Ask your customers for feedback after each purchase.
● Include a GMB link or QR code in your payment receipts.
● Showcase your ratings on your website and direct your visitors to your GMB page.
When you get a lot of positive reviews and high ratings, your business will get featured on the map pack SEO.
3. Build Citations
Another way you can also get your business on the google map listing is to build your local citations. It is the simple process of getting your business name mentioned with or without a backlink to your website.
You can build your google map citations for local SEO by:
● Submitting it to online directories such as Bing Places for Business, Yahoo Business Listings, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Whitepages, etc.
● Creating social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
● Incorporating local search engines such as Google, Bing Places, and Yahoo Local.
● Getting reviewed by websites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp.
● Get your business featured on local websites with high domain authority and news blogs.
What Is Google Map Category List?
Google map category list describes the nature of your business to your customers. It is one of the crucial factors that influences your local SEO ranking. For instance, if you register your business under the category Hotel, it will show up on Google Maps and google map pack when people search for ‘Hotels near me.’
Your business will be assigned a place label for your customers to locate quickly based on the chosen category.
How to Get Your Business on Google Maps
Are you looking for how to get your business on Google Maps? Follow these steps:
● Sign in to Google Maps.
● You can add your business to the map in 3 different ways. You can click the menu icon and select Add your business. You can also right-click anywhere on the map and select Add your business. Alternatively, you can simply enter your correct address on the search bar and select Add your business on the Business Profile.
Does Google Maps Affect SEO Rankings?
Google map packs are a crucial aspect of ranking higher on SERPs. Why? It’s positioned at the top of search results, giving businesses more visibility than organic results at the bottom.
Due to its position, the google 3 pack can get you more clicks. On the plus side, it’s a unique way of improving your brand reputation and placing your business in front of businesses that need your services.
Conclusion
Google map pack is a free and innovative tool that literally puts your business on the map. Chances are your competitors are already thinking about it, so why not beat them to it?
