Ever wanted to dominate Google Map listing for your important industry specific keywords? If you are a local business owner, then, the answer is yes. But how do you achieve top Google rankings? By understanding how Google rankings work of course.

Google Maps Ranking Factors

It really doesn’t matter which Google product you want higher rankings for, be it Google Web Search, Google Image Search, or Google Maps search. Core search engine optimization techniques are always the same. However, since Google Maps ranking include other factors for ranking calculation in such as searcher’s physical location, keywords and Knowledge Graph Google has built for its Google My Business listing are all important.

This creates a great opportunity for local businesses whose livelihood depend on Google search results to bring-in consistent website traffic. Hence to achieve higher ranking and promote your business on Google including Google Maps, you can influence the position of rank as I will detail them in a simple to use manner like so:

1. Include Local Business Schema Markup on Your WebSite

Here’s an example JSON-LD Structured Data Markup for Local Business’s which you can change and build upon. Note: this sample LocalBusiness Markup includes Corporate Contact, Social Profiles and Organization’s Logo as suggested by Google

<script type="application/ld+json"> {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"additionalType": "https://schema.org/ChangeThisIFAdditionalTypeisAvailable",
"name": "Your Business Name Goes Here",
"url": "https://www.yourSiteDomain.com/",
"image": "https://www.yourSiteDomain.com/brandLogoURL.png",
"description": "description of your business, include keywords for location and important search terms",
"email": "info@sample.com",
"priceRange": "$$$",
"telephone": "+1-123-123-5865",
"hasMap": "https://www.google.ca/maps/place/IncludeGoogleMapURL",
"sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/yourfbpageurl/",
"https://twitter.com/yourtwitterurl",
"https://pinterest.com/pinterestURL/",
"https://plus.google.com/+GooglePlusURL"
],
"logo": {
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "https://www.yourSiteDomain.com/brandLogoURL.png",
"width": 250,
"height": 180
},
"address": [{
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 EnterStreet Details",
"addressLocality": "EnterCity",
"addressRegion": "EnterRegion",
"postalCode": "EnterPostCode",
"addressCountry": "Enter or change country e.g. United States"
}],
"contactPoint" : [{
"@type" : "ContactPoint",
"telephone" : "+1-123-123-123",
"contactType" : "customer service"
}],
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "10.741895",
"longitude": "-13.989308"
},
"openingHoursSpecification": [{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": [
"Monday",
"Tuesday",
"Wednesday",
"Thursday",
"Friday"
],
"opens": "08:30",
"closes": "17:00"
},
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": [
"Saturday"
],
"opens": "09:00",
"closes": "16:00"
}
]
}
</script>

additionalType of Local Business

Also, keep in mind that you can include additionalType if appropriate. For example: you can branch out to More Specific Types of Local Business. Simply visit schema.org and scroll down the bottom of the page to select more More specific Types as shown in this sample image

2. Get Google My Business Listing and Verify Ownership

Since its free to use, create Google My Business Listing and verify ownership. When you do, provide as much and as distinct information about your Local Business including photos which can detail your important keywords. Let’s imagine that ranking for WordPress Development Company in Melbourne was important. Then, photo file names can be optimized like this:

• WordPress-Development-company-in-Melbourne.jpg (also include advanced image optimization techniques by RankYa)

Since Google AdWords customers can also advertise to show ads for Google Map users. Today, Google is heavily promoting the use of Google My Business listings. Tips for Google AdWords optimization use Location Extension. For organic rankings, fully optimize your website navigation structure and contact page to include your business details. You can also include Schema Markup for ContactPage.

Ranking in Google Local Business Results Will Help Rank in Google Maps As Well

As I’ve mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, core search engine optimization ranking factors haven’t changed at all in 2019. That means, our website must be fully optimized according to Google Guidelines. Below is an image which details on page search engine optimization (press here to download PDF version).

3. Get Reviews on Google

Reviews not only will help for Google rankings, it will also help increase conversions because of the social proof factor. Therefore, make sure to get reviews on Google. Remember Google has strict guidelines for getting reviews (learn more here Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help) and the best way to get them is to share a link, map or directions with others. You can share a location, directions, or a map including:

1. A place, business, or address
2. A directions search
3. A Street View image

Create a link from Google Search

To create a link from Google Search:

1. On your computer, search for your business on Google.
2. Find your business listing and click Write a review.
3. Copy and paste the URL you see in your address bar.

If these steps don’t work for you, you’ll need to use the PlaceID Lookup Tool instead. To learn more visit How to Create a link for Customers to Write Reviews. Also, Google Maps Platform provides an API which can also provide even better user experience for Places listing

Video Tutorial for Ranking Higher on Google Maps

4. Embed a Google Map on Your Website

Google Maps embedded can be part of your website, connecting all business information on your website to your Google Map details. Here’s a video tutorial that shows you

How to Embed Google Maps to Rank Better in Google Local Business Results

5. Optimize Your Business Description on Internet

Content marketing, blogging should be part of your business growth, that means, over time you will see that external websites (or social media profiles such as Facebook Business Page, Yelp listing etc.) can allow you to place details about your Local Business. When you do, use distinct information on each external site you create profiles at. Include:

• Local business phone number with country and area code
• Photos which further reinforce relevance using keywords within file names
• Use address specific to your business
• Use industry specific keywords you want to rank for in Google Maps
• Use location related keywords (suburb, city, country)
• On each external site where you are in control of content, change textual description about your business so that each external site has unique information as possible

Video Tutorial Showing How to Rank in Google Local Business Result

Are there more techniques for ranking in Google Maps? Yes, more insights by RankYa can be found on how to rank local businesses in Google blog post