If you are a local business, the gold standard is to appear in the top three results of the Google map pack. When your business shows up in the map pack, you gain more new customers. 46% of Google searches are for local businesses. Those searches lead to a purchase within 72 hours 28% of the time. A listing in the map pack guarantees new business.
Here is everything you need to know about why it is a game-changer for your business to be ranked on the Google map pack.
What is the Google map pack?
The Google map pack is a method that Google uses to display local businesses on its search engine results page (SERP). These results are chosen as the most relevant to the query and the searcher’s current location. The searcher views the results in a colorful map listing. This is an enviable position. Businesses in these three positions are much more likely to get the user as a customer compared to businesses that do not.
If you search for a Japanese restaurant, you will get the top three restaurants that serve Japanese food as results. You will also be able to see where they are on the map to make your decision easier. Besides this information, you will be able to see the star ratings of these restaurants, their addresses, and if they are considered inexpensive, moderate, or expensive. You can click on each of these businesses and get additional information such as phone numbers, hours of operation, and reviews. If you are searching for a hotel you will also get information on availability, pricing, reviews, and photos.
How can it impact your business?
Where you rank on a SERP can impact your business in a positive or negative way. If you rank in the top three, your business is almost certainly going to do better. You will see an increase in your website traffic and telephone calls. If it is much further down the listing you are losing potential sales and new customers.
If you are a local business, visitors have to click the see more button to even view your business if you don’t show up in the map pack. The percentage of clicks you will get decreases exponentially the further down the list you go.
What are the key benefits of the Google map pack?
More visibility
Becoming featured in the Google map pack is desirable for the simple reason that it brings in more business. The higher you rank the more likely it is that people see your products online or visit your store. More foot traffic and eyeballs will inevitably increase your profits. New customers will also likely write glowing reviews on you which will increase your Google rankings.
Google revealed that 76% of users who had conducted a local online search contacted a business within 24 hours and 28% of these searches led to a purchase. Ranking in the map pack doesn’t just get you more visibility. It gets you visibility with customers and clients who are ready to buy right now.
Better Features
The Google map pack comes with many features that a company can benefit from. When a customer views your business listing, if it is in the top three they get immediate access to more information. They can directly call you from the search results page. Studies show that 70% of users on mobile devices use the click-to-call button directly from the search results.
Better Trust Than Google Ads
You can gain visibility on the first page of Google’s search results in a number of ways. These include paying for ads via Google Ads, getting ranked in the map pack, and getting positioned in the top ten organic results. The map pack area gets the most attention. Google ads and the 10 organic results normally appear after the map pack.
Learn more about Google Ad traffic here.
Studies have also shown that most users don’t consider paid ads to be relevant or trustworthy when they conduct a search. In fact, 68% of searchers prefer the map pack and 27% prefer the organic results. Only 10% of searchers prefer paid search results. This makes it more than evident that the Google map pack is a must.
In order to attract attention to your business and encourage customers to call or visit your business, it is essential to appear on Google’s map pack. If you are a local business, you cannot miss out on this opportunity.
Do you want to get on the map pack? At The Social Expansion Project, we help businesses get there. Results guaranteed. You can request your free, no-pressure consultation here.
