No matter what you’re looking for in Google, from a new restaurant to a healthcare provider, it’s good to see what’s available in your community. Not only is staying local convenient for time, but it also helps to keep the money in your community to stimulate the local economy. Google focuses on local search results when possible. Here’s where the Google Local Map Pack comes in handy for a company.
In the Google Local Map Pack, local businesses are listed at the top of a search engine results page. Being included in this feature can help boost your business’s visibility and traffic, both online and in person. By learning about the ins and outs of this Google feature and how to rank for it, you can be sure that it’s taken into account when you’re creating search engine optimization (SEO) strategies.
What you need to know about the Google Local Map Pack
The Google Local Map Pack, sometimes referred to as the Google 3-Pack or Google Map Pack, appears at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) when a person has a query about local businesses. Not only does it include a listing of three businesses, but the locations are also shown on a map. It used to feature seven listings, but it was reduced to three in 2015.
The goal is to help users find a relevant business that fits what they need. Beyond a boost in traffic and visibility, having your business’s website featured in a Google Local Map Pack can lead to the following:
- A competitive edge in a saturated market or area
- Boosted credibility to establish yourself as a trusted authority in the community
- Increased engagement from easy accessibility on a SERP
How to rank in the Google Local Map Pack
In some cases, being featured in the map pack takes a bit of luck. While there isn’t a fixed radius of how far the businesses can be from the user’s location, it tends to lean toward those that are just a few miles away. However, the type of region also matters. For a user in a densely populated area (e.g., a large city), the radius is likely to be on the smaller side; in contrast, rural areas may have a map pack that covers a larger region.
Here are three ways that you can tailor your website and content to appeal to the algorithm and increase the likelihood of being ranked in a Local Map Pack:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile — If you want to be listed as a credible local business, your Google Business Profile is one of the most important aspects to consider. Be sure that you claim your profile so that you can have greater control over how your information is shown online. It’s also vital to keep it as up to date as possible when it comes to things like operating hours and phone numbers. You can also optimize your profile by adding specific, relevant categories and high-quality photos.
- Focus on reviews — It’s no secret that having positive customer reviews is a huge contributor to your SEO success. Try to strategize how to gather positive reviews, such as sending out feedback emails or sharing direct links to your profile on social media. When the algorithm sees that people in your area like your business, it’ll want to help other users have similar experiences. You can also boost your credibility and community engagement by responding to all reviews, whether they’re good or bad.
- Try to get local citations — A common contributor to local SEO is having trustworthy local citations, which refer to having your business mentioned online alongside your contact information. Local citations can be found through online local directories, such as Yelp, as well as across social media. Local citations also include mentions in a community press site or newspaper. Building these citations by submitting your information and verifying listings can help you be seen as a strong authority in the community by Google.
At BURG+CO., one of our goals with our SEO services is to boost your online visibility and traffic for quality lead conversions. You want to make sure that the right people are finding your site because they will find value in your content. Through the Google Local Map Pack, you can be sure that your site is being seen by potential customers because you’re relevant to their search.
We know what the algorithm is looking for when it’s compiling the 3-Packs, and we’ll help you get there.
Want to attract new visitors to your website through the Google Local Map Pack? BURG+CO. can help
Increasing traffic to your website plays a role in increasing conversions and leading to new clients. However, it’s difficult to attract visitors to your site when you don’t know what to do. Fortunately, this is what we specialize in at BURG+CO.
Our team has years of experience in helping businesses improve their digital presence to attract new leads and retain existing ones. If you’re looking to perform better in search engine results and attract more visitors to your site, we’re ready to talk to you to see how we can help. Contact our team today for more information about digital marketing or to schedule a complimentary consultation.