How Google Maps Can Benefit Your Business?
Google Maps has more than 1 billion users and is being actively used every day near you. If you have a local storefront, this is a dynamic advertising area you mustn't miss.
Why is Google Maps important for businesses?
The year 2022 marked Google Maps 17 year anniversary! Google Maps has evolved over the years from a simple virtual map to a place to explore local businesses, plan your detailed commute, and uncover new suggested locations.
5 Ways Google Maps Can Benefit Businesses
Google Maps can help you find anything and everything. From searching for nearby restaurants to locating a car repair shop to finding the best cocktails in town, Google Maps is here to help! It relies on updated and reviewed data to showcase answers to your searches or suggestions based on AI capabilities.
Advantages of Google Maps:
• Helps people find your business
As mentioned, one of Google Maps’ largest assets is it allows people to quickly find your business. The local search capabilities allow Google Maps to pin and list businesses that relate to the user’s search. The user can easily view their options before deciding to visit or contacting the business. Google Maps acts as both a search engine to find the business users are searching for, and then as a map to direct users to that location.
This is especially important since nearly 1/3 of all mobile searches are related to location, meaning Google Maps is a critical driver of mobile traffic.
• Allows people to quickly contact your business
When users view your listing on Google Maps, the platform provides a comprehensive index of your business which includes your company’s phone number. And since most Google Map searches are performed by phone, they can call your business with just one tap. Since people use Google Maps to make a decision, e.g. where to find donuts or locate a nearby clothing store, the platform provides users with the ability to efficiently contact the business, ask questions, and then decide to visit or not. This makes it easy for users to take the next step and businesses to directly connect with potential customers.
• Encourages people to visit your website or location
In addition to providing a business’ phone number, Google Maps also highlights other contact or visiting information. For brick and mortar stores, such as shops or restaurants, users can quickly explore your business’ profile and find directions, all from one central location. No need to toggle between apps or web pages. It’s a simple scroll and tap between a lead and a customer.
For businesses that sell services or products that require more research or are a larger purchase, the Google Maps listing links directly to the website. This allows users to research and learn more about the company in an easy-to-access manner.
For users trying to make a decision or explore options, the directions and website feature that is naturally a part of Google Maps allows them to easily visit your store or site. The Google Maps platform is a huge driver for both in-person and website traffic.
Of course, this means your website needs to be designed for mobile screens to support this traffic. Learn more about what it means to have a mobile optimized website.
• Displays your business with images
Users nowadays are infatuated with images, they appeal to the visual representation of your business. From images your business offers to photos shared by consumers, Google Maps curates a visual showcase of your business as a sneak peek of the products/services to what the storefront/interior looks like. In fact, listings that include photos receive 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks.
• Offers customer credibility through review
Nothing builds brand trust more than confirmation from others, and the most successful way to do this is through online reviews, which Google Maps displays in the profile listing. Customer credibility includes star ratings, written reviews, and submitted images. Hint – encouraging consumers to leave reviews on Google Maps allows other potential customers to gain trust in your business and prompt conversions.
Google Maps is a powerful tool. As its features and capabilities expand, so does its position as an effective marketing tool for businesses and search engine for consumers. Most importantly, there are ways you can optimize your business profile to cater to the advantages of Google Maps listed above. Get more from your Google Maps with a comprehensive marketing strategy.
"The platform is more than a map, it is a place of discovery."
¿Por qué es recomendable que tu negocio aparezca en Google Maps?
La experiencia e información que se le proporciona a los compradores puede significar la diferencia entre una conversión y una oportunidad perdida. Según datos de Google, tres cuartas partes de todos los compradores buscan detalles de una tienda antes de irse de sus casas. Específicamente, el 96% de los clientes son más propensos a visitar un negocio que enumera sus horas de operación, 90% si la empresa proporciona fotos de su tienda, y 67% cuando las opiniones están disponibles.
De este modo, brindar la información que los compradores necesitan, ayuda a atraer nuevos clientes, ofrecer más formas de comunicación con la empresa, entre otros beneficios.
“to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
