Imagine you have an incredible business, but nobody knows where it is. It's like having a hidden treasure without a map. The good news is that Google Maps can be your "X" on the map, showing your business to customers when they need you most. But how to make your company appear there and, more importantly, how to highlight it in front of the competition? In this guide, we will show you the key steps to appear on Google Maps and how reviews can make a big difference.
1. Register your business on Google My Business
The first step to appear on Google Maps is create your profile on Google My Business (GMB). This profile is the basis for your business to be visible in local searches. Here are the main steps:
- Access Google My Business: Go to Google My Business and click on "Manage now".
- Fill in your business information: name, address, telephone, website, and category of your business.
- Check your business: Google will send you a postcard with a verification code. Once received, enter the code to confirm your address.
- Complete your profile: Upload high-quality photos of your business, care schedules, and other relevant details.
The more complete the information, the more confidence you will generate in the users and the better your chances of appearing in the first places on Google Maps.
2. Importance of reviews and how to get more
Reviews are the social proof that your business needs to stand out. Think about the last time you chose a restaurant or hotel, how much did other guests' reviews influence your decision? Surely a lot. Google not only shows the quantity of reviews, but also their quality, and that impacts your position on Google Maps.
How to get more reviews?
- Ask them directly: Don't underestimate the power of asking for a review . After a good experience, ask your customers to leave it.
- It offers incentives (without breaking the rules): You cannot pay for reviews, but you could offer a small bonus as a discount on the next purchase.
- Respond to all reviews: respond to both positive and negative comments to show that you care about your customers. Users appreciate this and Google too.
Reviews with keywords related to your business (for example, “best coffee in Madrid”) also help improve your local SEO positioning.
3. Optimization of your Google My Business profile
Once you have your active profile, it's time to optimize it to overcome your competition.
- Photos and videos: Profiles with high-quality photos and videos receive 42% plus address requests.
- Keywords: Use relevant terms in the description of your business.
- GMB Publications: Uploads events of events, promotions, or relevant news to attract more clicks.
- Continuous updates: Always keep your opening schedules and contact details updated.
4. Beyond the reviews: other key factors to highlight
Although reviews are fundamental, other factors also affect your visibility in Google Maps:
- Proximity: The user's physical location affects your searches.
- Relevance: how well your business is related to the user's search.
- Popularity: The amount of interactions (reviews, clicks, calls) also influences your visibility.
- Categories and keywords: Make sure the category of your business is well-defined.
Are you wondering how to manage all this without wasting time? wiReply allows you to automate much of the review management process and Google My Business profiles, helping you save time and resources.
5. How to measure the success of your presence on Google Maps
To know if all your effort is paying off, check these key indicators:
- Impressions: how many times do users see your business in the results of Google Maps?
- Clicks and calls: how many people click to call or ask for addresses?
- Customer interactions: number of reviews and average rating.
With the wiReply platform, you can automate these reports and receive alerts of new reviews to respond quickly.
Take the next step toward local visibility
Appearing in Google Maps is not a luxury, it is a necessity. With a well-planned strategy, you can make your business stand out among the competition. The key is to optimize your Google My Business profile, request intelligent reviews, and keep your information always updated.
If you want to do all this efficiently and effortlessly, give wiReply's free trial a try. . With this tool, you can manage your customer reviews, automate reminders and have a real competitive advantage.
