EQUTE — So your search engine rankings are number one, your paid ads have been tweaked to perfection and the traffic is rolling in — now what?

The guys over at Fathom SEO have some good tips about local search that most people don’t immediately think of — their Google maps ranking.

There are several tips to get the most out of your free Google business listing, and as mobile mapping becomes more prevalent, map rankings will become more and more important.

First, create a niche for yourself, think about what your customers are going to search for like you would with search. If it’s a liquor store for example, think about how your business really is different from competitors. Make yourself a category called “create your own six pack,” “wine experts” or “imported beer.”
Second, give map searchers a reason to come. If they’re just looking for a six pack of beer, they’re going to choose the closest liquor store. But if you give them a coupon right through the map, they’re more likely to go the extra few blocks.

The guys at Fathom SEO said it was a great place to show off too. Put up your great BBB rating or local media best-of award.

Put up videos and pictures, let your customers take a virtual your of your store. Replace those videos periodically detailing your new deals or specialties. Got a new wine that nobody has heard of? Make a video and tell your prospective customers all about it.

Encourage customers to write reviews, the more real reviews you have the better it looks and it will help you stand out even more from your neighbors.

Make sure all your contact information is correct, it sounds like a no-brainer, but a transposed number is easy to miss and could cost you a visit. Check your links and make sure everything is user friendly.

Check the analytics for maximum results. You’ve likely already done plenty of local keyword research (or should have) but maps are a little different. Use the dashboard of your Google business listing and the insights data map to check where people are getting their directions from. If your local store is between a big fishing spot or stadium, see where the people are coming from. If they are already driving by, why not show them your coupon and get them coming in.

With more people searching for businesses through Google maps alone, it’s high time to work on your listing and bring more people in.