Google Maps and Google Business Profile are essential tools for getting your business found by local customers. While they work closely together, knowing how to use each effectively can help you boost visibility, attract more customers, and make the most of your local SEO efforts. This quick guide will show you how to leverage Google Maps for your business and introduce you to the key features of Google Business Profile.
Using Google Maps for Business: What Every Local Business Needs To Know
What Is Google Maps?
Google Maps is a free web-based and mobile mapping and navigation application developed by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360-degree interactive panoramic views of streets (Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling by foot, car, bicycle, or public transportation.
Users can search Google Maps for nearby places, like landmarks and parks, and businesses, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, auto mechanics, and virtually any other type of brick-and-mortar or service-based business.
When users click on a location they're interested in, Google Maps automatically displays the Google Business Profile listing for that place or business (if it has one), which displays key business information, reviews, photos, and more.
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is a free tool provided by Google that helps businesses manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
Business owners can create a profile that includes important information about their business, such as the address, phone number, website, business hours, and a description. They can also add photos, respond to customer reviews, and provide updates about their business, such as special offers or events.
When someone searches for a business or a type of business in their area via Google Search, Google typically displays the three most relevant Google Business Profile listings at the top of search results. These three results are known as Google's 3-Pack, and appearing here is a sort of "Holy Grail" of local SEO.
Additionally, as we mentioned above, when someone clicks on a place in Google Maps application, either on the web or their mobile device, they will also be shown the Google Business Profile for that location. The information provided here helps them evaluate whether they may want to contact or visit the location and compare it to similar locations (competitors) before making a decision.
Google Maps vs. Google Business Profile: How They Work Together
Google Maps and Google Business Profile are closely connected, but they serve different purposes for your business. Google Maps helps customers discover your business, get directions, and interact with your listing in real time, while Google Business Profile is the tool you use to create, manage, and optimize that listing on both Google Maps and Search.
By setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile, you ensure your business can be found by local customers and appear in prominent local search results. This also allows you to track your GBP rankings and performance, manage reviews, and make improvements that help you stand out from competitors, driving more visibility, foot traffic, and customer engagement.
Quick Tips on Optimizing Your Google Business Profile for Google Maps
Optimizing your Google Business Profile presence for Google Maps can significantly improve your visibility and attract more customers. Here are some quick tips:
- Claim and verify your business: Claim your business on Google My Business and go through the verification process to ensure that you have control over your listing.
- Complete your profile: Fill out all the information on your profile accurately and completely, including your business name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and category.
- Use high-quality images: Add high-resolution photos that showcase your business, including the exterior, interior, products, and services. Images can help attract customers and give them a better sense of what to expect.
- Encourage reviews: Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your Google Business Profile. Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, whether positive or negative, to show that you value feedback and customer satisfaction.
- Add posts and updates: Keep your profile fresh and engaging by regularly posting updates, promotions, events, and other relevant content. This can help attract more attention from potential customers and keep existing customers informed.
- Follow local SEO best practices: Use relevant keywords in your business description, posts, and updates to improve your visibility in local search results. Also, make sure your business location is accurate on Google Maps and consistent across other listing platforms.
- Monitor insights: Use the insights provided by Google Business Profile (or the GBP performance metrics in Falcon Guard) to track how people find and interact with your business listing. This data can help you make informed decisions and optimize your profile further.
- Track performance with Local Falcon: Use Local Falcon's local rank tracking features to monitor your business's visibility and ranking in local search results. This can help you identify trends, track the impact of your optimizations, and make data-driven decisions to improve your local SEO strategy.
Conclusion
Google Maps and Google Business Profile work hand-in-hand to help local businesses get found by customers online. Understanding how each tool functions and optimizing your Google Business Profile is crucial if you want to increase visibility, drive more traffic to your business, and stay competitive in your local market.
Consistently managing your profile, encouraging reviews, and monitoring performance are key steps to leveraging these platforms effectively. Whether you're a small storefront or a service-area business, strategically using Google Maps for business can help you reach more customers and grow your business locally, down to the hyperlocal level.
FAQs on Google Maps for Businesses
What is the difference between Google Maps and Google Business Profile?
Google Maps is where users search for businesses, while Google Business Profile is the tool business owners use to create, manage, and optimize their listing on both Maps and Search.
Do I need a Google Business Profile to appear on Google Maps?
Yes. A Google Business Profile is required to control your listing and ensure your business shows up in local search results on Google Maps.
How can I optimize my Google Business Profile for better visibility?
Complete your profile with accurate information, add high-quality photos, encourage and respond to reviews, post updates regularly, and keep your business details consistent across platforms.
Can I track how my business is performing on Google Maps?
Yes. Google Business Profile provides insights into customer interactions, and tools like Local Falcon let you monitor local rankings and GBP performance metrics in an all-in-one platform.
Will optimizing my Google Business Profile improve my local SEO?
Absolutely. A fully optimized profile increases your chances of appearing in Google's local 3-Pack, boosting visibility, attracting more customers, and improving your local search rankings.
