Have you noticed that your website’s traffic is dropping? If so, you’re not alone. Many businesses are seeing fewer clicks on Google Search, especially since Google added the AI overview to its search results. While this AI feature is helpful, it also gives people the answer right on the search page, meaning they don’t need to click through to your website.
But don’t worry—if you’re running a location-based business, there’s good news. There’s still a powerful way to drive traffic to your site: the Google Map Pack.
In this post, I’ll explain why the Google Map Pack is so important for local businesses and how you can leverage it to get more traffic.
You can also watch our video here👇
What is the Google Map Pack?
The Google Map Pack is the section that appears when you search for a local service on Google. For example, if you search for “plumbers in Salt Lake City,” Google shows a map with a list of local businesses. Some of these listings are ads, but the others are organic—these businesses are ranking high based on several important factors.
So, what are the key factors that help your business show up in the Google Map Pack?
1. Customer Reviews
The number and quality of customer reviews are the most important factors for ranking in the Map Pack. Google loves businesses with positive reviews. The more high-rated reviews you have, the better your chances of showing up in the Map Pack.
For example, take a look at these local plumbing businesses in Salt Lake City:
- One business has 619 reviews with an average of 4.9 stars.
- Another has 2,000 reviews and a 4.8-star rating.
- A third has 2,600 reviews with an average of 4.7 stars.
As you can see, businesses with many 5-star reviews are ranking higher in the Map Pack.
If you’re struggling to get reviews, here’s a simple tip: Ask your customers for reviews! One of my clients, who owns a brand-new RV park, got 18 five-star reviews in just three weeks by offering a free soda to customers who left a review. It’s a small gesture, but it works.
2. Citations (Online Business Listings)
Another factor that helps your business rank in the Map Pack is citations. Citations are online mentions of your business on other websites, such as Yelp, Facebook, or the Better Business Bureau. These citations help Google confirm that your business exists and is located where you say it is.
To build your citation profile, check where Google is pulling information from about your business. For example, search for your business name on Google, and you’ll see a snapshot of sites where Google looks for information.
You can update your business profile manually on sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others. If you don’t have time for this, there are services like BKA Content that can help you update multiple citations at once.
3. Optimize Your Website Structure
Having a well-organized website is crucial for ranking in the Map Pack. Google wants to understand what your business does, where you’re located, and what services you offer. To make this easy for Google, you need a clear website structure with dedicated service pages and location pages.
A common mistake is creating a one-page website, where all the information is crammed into one page. This confuses Google, and it can hurt your rankings. Instead, create separate pages for each service you offer, along with pages that target specific locations.
For example, if your plumbing business serves Salt Lake City and nearby areas, make sure your website mentions these cities on your service pages. You could even create separate pages for each city, detailing the services you provide there.
How to Rank in the Google Map Pack
To sum it up, here are the three main factors that affect your ranking in the Google Map Pack:
- Customer reviews: Focus on getting 5-star reviews from your customers.
- Citations: Make sure your business is listed on relevant websites with correct information.
- Website structure: Organize your website with clear service and location pages to help Google understand your business.
By focusing on these areas, you can increase your chances of ranking in the Google Map Pack and driving more traffic to your business.
If you need help ranking higher on the Google Map Pack, check out our Local SEO Services.
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