Contractors: Rank In The Google Maps search results And Boost Local SEO With These 3 Tips

September 26, 2016 - By Aaron Hockel

Why is it important for contractors to rank in the Google Maps search results?

Getting your contracting business to rank in Google Maps search results is important for two major reasons. In both desktop and mobile searches, the Google Maps results appear above the fold and the organic content. This means greater visibility for the Google Maps results which has proven to translate into increased website traffic. When users search on a mobile device, they are even more likely to use the map results to contact a nearby business. Now that mobile searches outpace desktop searches, ranking in the map results is even more important than ever.

Claim or create your Google My Business account

The best way to rank in the Google Maps results? Officially register your contracting business with Google by claiming or creating your Google My Business profile. Through your Google My Business account you can provide Google with accurate business information. This includes your address, phone number, website, and business hours. Your Google My Business account feeds this information directly to the Google Maps search results. Consider this sample search result: Comparing the three listings, you will notice only REFF Services has a complete listing. Both Hands on Painters and Sparrow Painting LLC are missing their star rating and addresses. This problem is easily fixed by claiming or creating your Google My Business account.

Build consistent directory citations

The name, address and phone number - commonly abbreviated NAP - for your contracting business is listed in directories all across the web. Directories include everything from the local chamber of commerce website to Angie's List to Facebook. Google uses this information to return reliable local search results. Inconsistencies in your NAP information confuses Google and hurts your chances to rank in the Google Maps search results. To remedy this problem, make sure to use the same NAP information everywhere your business information appears on the web. You can scan your current business listing on more than 66 popular directories using our free directory scanning tool.

Drive positive Google Reviews about your contracting business

The final must do activity to boost your chances to rank in the Google Maps results is driving positive online reviews about your contracting business. Google heavily weighs how popular and well known businesses are when determining local search results. This ranking factor is commonly referred to as prominence. Positive online reviews about your contracting business increase your prominence with Google. By increasing our business's prominence you automatically boost your chances to rank in the Google maps results.

Ready to tackle these must do activities? Here's the best approach

Start by claiming and setting up your Google My Business profile with accurate information. Next focus on correcting your business information on major directories such as Bing, Yelp, Angie's List, HomeAdvisor, and Facebook. Make it a goal to edit or add 5 citations per month. Lastly, try to drive 2 positive Google reviews about your business each month. If you can execute these three tasks, your contracting business will be on its way to ranking in the Google Maps results. Need help with your directory citations and online review generation in order to rank in Google Maps? The marketing team at AltaVista offers a full range of custom solutions catering to residential and commercial contractors of all sizes. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the form on this page, emailing us at [email protected], or calling us at 1-800-313-2168.