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Google Maps

by mariahm
8 replies
So I have had some great luck getting a couple sites I am doing SEO on in the top page on Google maps, but there are a couple things I don't fully understand.
1. Does google use the same techniques to place a business in the top on google maps as it does to place a website on the first page of google.
2. Does anyone know little tricks to get a business in the A position on google maps?
Happy New Years!!!!
#google #maps
  • Profile picture of the author mjzivko
    Before I give you my advice, I would like to say that I am very frustrated with Google Maps lately. I have spent a lot of time setting up my listings and when I go to the phone verification, the call from Google never comes in.

    I use unique phone numbers and addresses, so I cant figure out what the deal is.

    But for the listings I have had for my clients on Google Maps, I am very pleased. They really drive a lot of very good traffic and make the phone ring.

    The trick is to name your company the main keyword. Example. If you are a florist in Chicago and your company name is Jane's Floral. Name your company (In Google Maps) Chicago Florist - Jane's Floral.

    The other trick is write your description with SEO in mind. Try to get your main keyword and other top keywords in your description.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I'm still learning Google maps but i've found:

    1) your domain name seems to have an impact, hopefully its relevant

    2) the more center to town your location is, the better you'll do

    3) make sure to complete the entire listing, adding as much info about your business as possible

    4) reviews help

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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Formby
    4) reviews help
    I heard that, maybe you could get a real client, who uses the company you are promoting to write you a review and add it for them, also

    Mikey
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    • Profile picture of the author scottgallagher
      Ahhhh, Google maps....I've spent many, many hours testing maps extensively since it's introduction into the mainsream SERPs in April of this year.

      First, it's a completly different algo driven by citations and reviews.
      There are a ton of problems today, mostly due to service area challenges.
      Read my blog post about service area challenges here.
      Read my blog post about citations here.

      To help answer the original questions, here it is.
      1. Does google use the same techniques to place a business in the top on google maps as it does to place a website on the first page of google.

      Again, completly different algo. You can rank #1 in the maps with NO Website. You need citations from local sources.

      2. Does anyone know little tricks to get a business in the A position on google maps?
      Use a DBA. You are violating Google's T&C's by stuffing a keyword into the company name field in maps. Obtain a legal DBA with your keywords in your DBA and use that in the company name field, you are not violating any T&C's and today, there is a significan empasis on the company name with keywords....
      Another easy trick is to get several reviews, even 4 or 5, from unique sources that have unique IP addresses that cover the service area. Opt-in to my list and during the autoresponders we sent a PDF that is a process to give to a local business that immediatly implements to obtain reviews ffrom their customers on a regular basis.

      Originally Posted by mjzivko View Post


      The trick is to name your company the main keyword. Example. If you are a florist in Chicago and your company name is Jane's Floral. Name your company (In Google Maps) Chicago Florist - Jane's Floral.
      This is a clear violation of Google's T&C's updated this past September. By doing this will likely have yoru listing banned from Google Maps. I would stay clear of this unless you legally obtain a DBA to justify your reasoning. I've personally had 3 seperate unique listing banned (although these were listings for testing purposes with the full intent to push the enveloppe to determine what will get us banned).
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  • Profile picture of the author RGallowitz
    The key to ranking well in Google map is DEFINITELY the location of your business.
    If your business is located in the CENTER of that city then you'll definitely rank in the top 5.

    I recently did a GMaps optimization for one of my websites and tried to get it as close as possible to the center of the town. Within 2 weeks I got a top 3 ranking for several keywords.
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    • Profile picture of the author scottgallagher
      Originally Posted by RGallowitz View Post

      The key to ranking well in Google map is DEFINITELY the location of your business.
      If your business is located in the CENTER of that city then you'll definitely rank in the top 5.

      I recently did a GMaps optimization for one of my websites and tried to get it as close as possible to the center of the town. Within 2 weeks I got a top 3 ranking for several keywords.
      Having a physical location is definitly important, but the importance of the location to the centroid of the city has dissapated, at least with our testing since September 2009. Establishment with your address on 3PL sites with age and authority out weigh the location of the centroid significantly. I'm not saying it's not a factor, just other factors can easily outweigh the location.

      Obtaining a mail box from UPS gets you a physical address with a suite number, perfect for GMaps. It worked until September, oddly. This indicated an algo update that coincided with the ability to rank with a centroid address.

      Hands down, the two biggest factors are citations and reviews. In third place is your NAP on the Internet, identical Name, Address and Phone number on several local, authority sites (such as yelp, yellowpages, google, yahoo business centers, etc.)

      Here's a post I did on my personal blog about citation acquisition.

      A friend did an amazing post on Local Search Ranking Factors here.
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      • Profile picture of the author khtm
        That's very interesting, Scott, thanks!

        I had no idea that "citations" were helpful in boosting Google Maps rankings. Your theory definitely makes sense though.

        I have noticed that a central location seems less important lately, as I've seen businesses ranked very high that have offices on the edge of town, so there must be other factors in play.

        Originally Posted by scottgallagher View Post

        Having a physical location is definitly important, but the importance of the location to the centroid of the city has dissapated, at least with our testing since September 2009. Establishment with your address on 3PL sites with age and authority out weigh the location of the centroid significantly. I'm not saying it's not a factor, just other factors can easily outweigh the location.

        Obtaining a mail box from UPS gets you a physical address with a suite number, perfect for GMaps. It worked until September, oddly. This indicated an algo update that coincided with the ability to rank with a centroid address.

        Hands down, the two biggest factors are citations and reviews. In third place is your NAP on the Internet, identical Name, Address and Phone number on several local, authority sites (such as yelp, yellowpages, google, yahoo business centers, etc.)

        Here's a post I did on my personal blog about citation acquisition.

        A friend did an amazing post on Local Search Ranking Factors here.
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  • Profile picture of the author cowsgonemadd3
    I never knew you could market with google maps haha.
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