Top 15 Google My Business Ranking Ideas to Boost Footfall

Google My Business (GMB) is a vital tool for local businesses aiming to enhance their online presence and attract more customers. By optimising your GMB listing, you make it easier for potential customers to find your business when they search for relevant products or services in your area. GMB helps your business appear in Google Search and Maps and boosts your visibility, making it a cornerstone of any local marketing strategy. With a well-managed GMB profile, businesses can significantly increase their chances of being discovered by local customers, driving more foot traffic and ultimately, boosting sales.

Achieving a high ranking on GMB is crucial for local businesses. When your business ranks higher, it's more likely to appear in the coveted "Local 3-Pack" — the top three business listings that Google displays in local search results. This prime placement can lead to a substantial increase in visibility, as customers tend to click on these top listings first. Higher rankings on GMB translate directly into increased footfall, as more local customers will find and choose your business. Additionally, a top-ranking enhances customer engagement by driving more clicks.

In this article, we provide you with actionable ideas to optimise your GMB profile and improve your rankings. By implementing these ideas, you can enhance your local visibility, attract more customers, and ultimately drive more foot traffic to your business. Whether you're new to GMB or looking to refine your existing profile, this guide will help you take your GMB presence to the next level.

What is Google My Business Ranking?

Google My Business (GMB) Ranking refers to the position at which a business appears in local search results when someone searches for a relevant service or product on Google. This ranking is crucial because it determines how visible your business is to potential customers in your area. The higher the ranking, the more likely it is that people will see and click on your business listing.

Example:

Imagine you run a tyre shop in Pune. If someone in the area searches for "tyre shops near me" on Google, the search engine will display a list of local businesses that match the query. This list is often shown on a map with business names, ratings, and other details.
If your tyre shop has a high Google My Business ranking, it will appear near the top of this list, making it more likely that the searcher will click on your listing, read reviews, and possibly visit your shop. On the other hand, if your GMB ranking is low, your business might appear further down the list or on subsequent pages, reducing the chances of being noticed by potential customers.

Why It Matters:

A higher GMB ranking not only increases your business’s visibility but also directly impacts foot traffic and sales. For instance, if your tyre shop consistently appears in the top three results, you'll likely see a steady stream of new customers who discovered your business through Google.

By optimising your GMB profile—ensuring accurate information, regularly posting updates, gathering positive reviews, and more—you can improve your ranking and, in turn, attract more customers.

Key Benefits of Google My Business Rankings

1. Increased Visibility

Higher GMB rankings place your business at the top of local search results and Google Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

2. Higher Foot Traffic

Prominent GMB listings attract more local customers, leading to increased visits and sales at your physical location.

3. Improved Customer Engagement

An optimised GMB profile with accurate info, photos, and posts enhances customer interaction through features like Q&A and reviews.

4. Credibility and Trust

Higher rankings often mean more positive reviews and ratings, building trust and distinguishing your business from competitors.

5. Better Local SEO

Strong Google My Business rankings boost your local SEO, improving your chances of appearing in organic search results and driving targeted traffic to your website.

6. Competitive Advantage

Standing out in GMB results helps you capture potential customers before they see other options, giving you a market edge.

7. Increased Click-Through Rates

Top GMB listings typically see higher click-through rates, leading to more visits to your website or direct calls.

8. Insights and Analytics

GMB provides valuable data on customer interactions, helping you track performance and make informed decisions.

9. Cost-Effective Marketing

GMB is a free tool that offers substantial marketing benefits, reaching local customers without extra costs.

10. Enhanced Local Authority

A strong GMB presence shows your business’s relevance and authority in the community, fostering local loyalty and support.

Important Factors that drive the Google My Business Ranking

Top 15 Google My Business Ranking Ideas

#1 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Add Business on Google Maps

Complete your Google My Business (GMB) profile by ensuring all business information is accurately provided. This includes:
 

- Business Category

Choose the most relevant category that describes your business.

- Phone Number

Include a local phone number to make it easy for customers to contact you.

- Business Hours

Provide accurate hours of operation and update them for holidays or special hours.Address: Ensure your physical address is correct and consistent with other online listings.

- Website URL

Add your website link to drive traffic and provide more information.

Why It Matters

Completing and updating these fields helps Google understand your business better and improves your chances of appearing in local search results. It also ensures potential customers have the information they need to find and contact your business easily.

#2 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Add Location-Specific Keywords in Your GMB Profile

Incorporate location-specific keywords throughout your GMB profile to enhance local search visibility. Include these keywords in your business description to highlight your location and nearby areas, add location-related terms in product descriptions to attract local customers, and use them in the services section to better target local searches. This strategic placement of location-based terms helps Google connect your business with relevant local queries, increasing the chances of appearing in search results for customers in your area.

Below are example of how to effectively use location-specific keywords in your GMB profile. The screenshots show a GMB product description that includes the store name, address, and relevant keywords.

#3 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Collect and Highlight Google Reviews

Google reviews play a crucial role in determining your Google My Business ranking and overall online reputation. Positive reviews enhance your credibility and improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results, as Google considers them a key indicator of your business's quality and reliability. Actively solicit reviews from satisfied customers and showcase these testimonials on your GMB profile. Additionally, responding to reviews—both positive and negative—demonstrates engagement and customer care, which can further boost your rankings and build trust with potential clients.

How to effectively manage and leverage reviews? 

Manage all reviews with our Review Management Tool.

#4 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Use Google Posts to Promote Offers and Updates

Google Posts enable businesses to engage with customers directly through their GMB profile. Create compelling offers and updates by posting about special promotions, events, or new products. Ensure your posts are visually appealing and include clear calls-to-action. For optimal results, maintain a consistent posting schedule—whether it's weekly or bi-weekly—and diversify your content types to include promotional offers, company news, and seasonal updates. This approach not only keeps your audience informed but also signals to Google that your business is active and relevant.

#5 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Consolidate Google Maps Listing

Consolidate your Google Maps listings by removing any duplicate entries. Duplicate listings can confuse potential customers and dilute your business's online authority. To address this, identify and merge any duplicate listings through the Google My Business dashboard. Ensure you keep only the most accurate and comprehensive listing. This consolidation helps maintain a single, authoritative presence on Google Maps, improving your business’s visibility and ranking.

#6 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Make Use of the Q&A Feature

Leverage the Q&A feature on Google My Business to engage with potential customers and address common queries. Actively monitor and respond to questions posted by users to provide valuable information and enhance customer interaction. This not only improves your business's visibility but also demonstrates proactive customer service. Regularly update the Q&A section with relevant information and frequently asked questions to help guide prospective customers and boost your GMB ranking.

#7 Google My Business Ranking Idea -  Leverage GMB listings and microsites

Enhance your local visibility by effectively utilising Google My Business (GMB) listings and creating dedicated microsites. A well-optimised GMB listing provides essential business details and improves local search results, while microsites can drive targeted traffic and offer additional information about your products or services. Implementing these strategies helps attract more local customers and boosts your online presence.

Here’s a video on how to leverage GMB listings and microsites to maximise your online presence.

In this video, you'll learn how effective GMB listings and dedicated microsites can enhance your local visibility, attract more customers, and streamline your online presence. Watch to discover practical tips and strategies for optimising your GMB profile and using microsites to support your local marketing efforts.

#8 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Use GMB Audit Tool for Your Multi-Location Business

For businesses with multiple locations, utilising a GMB audit tool can streamline the management and optimization of your listings. An audit tool helps identify inconsistencies, duplicate listings, and missing information across all locations. It also provides insights into areas for improvement, ensuring each listing is fully optimised to boost local search rankings and enhance visibility for all your business locations.

Read Also - 10 GMB Audit Tool for Your Multi-Location Business in 2024

#9 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Building Quality Backlinks

Building high-quality backlinks to your GMB profile can enhance its authority and search engine ranking. Focus on acquiring backlinks from reputable local websites, industry-related blogs, and local business directories. These backlinks signal to search engines that your business is credible and relevant, which can improve your Google My Business ranking and drive more local traffic to your profile.

#10 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Use Local Business Schema Markup

Implementing Local Business Schema Markup on your website helps search engines understand and display your business information more effectively. This structured data provides details such as your business name, address, phone number, and operating hours directly in search results. By enhancing your website with schema markup, you improve the accuracy of your GMB profile and increase your visibility in local search results, leading to better rankings and higher footfall.

#11 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Keep Business Information Consistent Across the Web

Maintaining consistent business information across various online platforms, such as Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, and others, is crucial for improving your GMB ranking. Ensure that your business name, address, phone number, and other key details are uniform across all directories and platforms. Consistency helps build trust with search engines and users, reducing the likelihood of confusion and boosting your local search visibility.

#12 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Consider Investing in PPC

Paid advertising methods can significantly enhance your Google My Business ranking by targeting specific audiences effectively and swiftly. Utilise Meta Ads with Geofencing to reach potential customers within a set radius of your stores on Facebook and Instagram, ensuring your ads are seen by those most likely to visit. Implement Google Ads with Geofencing to target local customers near your locations. Integrate advanced tools like CDP, CRM systems, LMS, and PIMS to streamline operations and personalise marketing efforts. Automate review and rating management to gather positive feedback and build trust. Finally, deploy AI agents such as chatbots to engage with customers, answer queries, and provide personalised recommendations.

#13 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Implement a Precision-Powered Digital Campaign

Leverage advanced digital advertising solutions for a privacy-first, cookieless approach. Precision targeting ensures personalised and context-rich engagement, leading to higher conversion rates and a stronger online presence. Focus on effective, privacy-respecting campaigns to elevate your brand.

#14 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Collect and Utilise First-Party Data

Gather first-party data directly from your customers through interactions, transactions, and feedback. Use this valuable information to tailor your marketing strategies, improve customer engagement, and enhance your GMB profile. By leveraging insights from your data, you can drive more targeted and effective marketing efforts.

Discover how Sekel Tech's innovative approach to using first-party data can transform your Google My Business strategy. Watch this video to learn how leveraging your data can enhance engagement, optimise marketing efforts, and boost your Google My Business rankings.

#15 Google My Business Ranking Idea - Use Hyperlocal Discovery and Omnicommerce Platform

Leverage Sekel Tech’s hyperlocal discovery and omnicommerce platform to supercharge your GMB strategy. Sekel Tech’s advanced tools allow you to target customers in specific local areas with precision, using tailored ads and promotions. By integrating local insights and engaging features, you can enhance your GMB visibility and drive more foot traffic to your business.

For more insights on Google My Business ranking ideas, check out this article “Unlocking Google’s top ranks: Guide to ranking your blog” by Times of India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to improve GMB ranking in 2024?

To boost your Google My Business (GMB) ranking in 2024, keep your listing accurate and up-to-date with detailed information and quality photos. Actively seek and respond to reviews, use relevant keywords, and regularly engage with local content to improve your ranking and attract more customers.

2. How to rank #1 on Google Maps?

To rank #1 on Google Maps, make sure your Google My Business (GMB) listing is complete and up-to-date with accurate details and quality photos. Actively collect and reply to customer reviews, and include relevant keywords in your business description. Frequently update your listing and engage with local content to improve your visibility and draw more customers.

3. How to increase Google business profile views?

To improve your GMB rankings, ensure your listing is accurate and consistently updated with high-quality images. Encourage and respond to customer reviews, use relevant keywords in your business description, and keep your content fresh. Engaging with local content and maintaining an active presence will also help boost your rankings.

4. What are GMB ranking factors?

Factors that affect GMB rankings include the accuracy and thoroughness of your business details, the management and volume of customer reviews, and the incorporation of relevant keywords in your description. Regular updates to your listing and active engagement with local content also enhance your ranking.

5. How can I increase my GMB traffic?

To drive more traffic to your GMB listing, keep your profile current with accurate information and attractive images. Regularly share updates and promotions, actively seek and respond to reviews, and use relevant keywords. Engaging with local content will also help attract more visitors.

Conclusion

Optimising your Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential for any local business looking to boost visibility, attract more foot traffic, and increase sales. By implementing these top 15 Google My Business ranking ideas, you can enhance your local presence and ensure your business stands out in search results. From adding location-specific keywords to leveraging the Q&A feature and maintaining consistent business information across the web, these strategies will help you achieve higher rankings, drive more customer engagement, and ultimately, grow your business.

Take Advantage of Sekel Tech’s Platform

Ready to take your Google My Business optimization to the next level? Sekel Tech’s powerful Hyperlocal Discovery and Omni-commerce Platform offers advanced tools to help you maximise your GMB profile’s potential. From automated review management to precise geofencing and location-based keyword integration, Sekel Tech empowers your business to dominate local search results and drive quality leads. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost foot traffic and increase sales—get started with Sekel Tech today and watch your business thrive!