GMB Ranking: What is it and How to Rank Higher on Google My Business

Learn the basics of digital marketing to help grow your business.

GMB Ranking: What is it and How to Rank Higher on Google My Business

What is Google My Business, and How to Improve GMB Ranking?

The Google Search Engine has created a way to combine physical and digital marketing through Google My Business (GMB). This technique allows physical stores and offices to gain digital recognition through their GMB ranking. This technique improves a business’s physical reputation and digital reachability.

Ranking your business on the top search results is the same as setting up shop on a busy city square. The system works like commercial real estate. For physical business, the better your location is, the more customers you can acquire. Similarly, for digital businesses, better rankings and several popular keywords give them more traffic. Now, combine them together through GMB and you get an strategy that can increase physical and digital traffic.

In this technique, businesses create a complete profile on Google My Business. While having a website is not mandatory, it can be quite impactful. The system also records the physical location on Google Maps, which helps attract users searching for services or products in the nearby area

What is GMB Ranking?

We know that Google ranks websites based on their relevance to search queries. Their approach creates limited space and huge competition between businesses to capture an attention. Google My Business is a way for businesses to bypass the ranking system and appear at the top of the search results in their respective areas.

For example, a user in Texas searches for Plumbers on Google. The search results that appear in such cases are different than normal. These businesses are ranked above the SERPs based on various factors.

What is Google Local Pack or 3-Map Pack?

These results are easily differentiated from normal search results. They appear at the top alongside their locations on the map, working hours, reviews, and contact details.

This feature of Google search is called Google Local Pack or 3-map-pack. It’s a way for businesses to create a connection of an informational websites and gain the upper hand on service or product-related search queries.

GMB Ranking Factors

Many factors affect a business’s GMB Rankings. These range from the distance between the user and the business to their local reputation. Here are the most impactful GMB Ranking factors.

Relevant Category

Every business has a certain category defining its service or product type. Like product listings, GMB listings require categorical identification to assure your business ranks on the right keywords.

Businesses can choose up to 10 categories out of the 400 available options. Each option helps companies specify what they do and how a user can benefit from the business.

Keyword in Business Title

Your GMB listing’s title needs to be specific. It must focus more on relevant keywords instead of branded terms. For example, instead of branding like “IT-Verticals“, a business needs to be specific, saying “IT-Verticals Software Development Company in Dallas, Texas.” The more specific your title is, the more impactful it is for GMB Ranking.

Website Link

For Google My Business, it is not mandatory to have a website. However, having one is a plus point for trustworthiness. It also helps to rank higher on Google My Business as it indicates to Google that your business is convenient and accessible. It is recommended to have a keyword-based website instead of a branded name.

For example, Google favors industry-relevant domains, such as Georgeplumbingservicedallas.com, instead of Georgeandsons.com. In this example, “Plumbing service Dallas” is a keyword. Its relevance to industry and area helps Google rank a business higher on Google My Business.

Positive Google Reviews

One of the most impactful Google My Business ranking factor is Google reviews. It can literally make or break a business’s online reputation.

As a business provides services and gains customers’ feedback, some may publish their experience through Google reviews. These reviews are user-generated and often organic; therefore, Google takes them seriously for GMB rankings.

Proximity to Searchers

Google users searching for services or products see proximity businesses on top. The closer a business is to a user, the higher it possibly ranks. However, a business’s proximity depends on accurate location, address, operation timings, and contact details.

Plus, if a business has little to no reviews or bad reviews, it’s proximity can be rendered meaningless. It’s possible that Google won’t rank your GMB higher even if it’s closer to a user.

Accurate Location on Maps

Make sure that your accurate business location on Google Maps. You don’t want to confuse a customer looking for your store or office. Your business must be easy to find through G-maps, as it can influence your customer reviews and feedback.

GMB Photos

Visually displaying your storefront, main gate, or building entrance helps users find your location. You can also display your achievements, work ethic, and service or product to make your business seem more trustworthy to customers and Google.

Regular GMB Post

Regularly posting relevant and helpful posts on Google My Business keeps your business in the spotlight. This punctuality keeps your customers engaged and improves their understanding of your business. It also reminds Google of your activeness in the industry, prompting the algorithm to improve your GMB ranking.

Product or Services Description

Creating detailed descriptions of your services and products is essential for better GMB rankings. Make sure that your descriptions are clear and specific and solve your customer’s pain. Also, enrich it with relevant keywords that users are searching for. It helps Google better categorize your business and rank your profile on relevant search terms.

Google Business Openness

If your business is operating during the time of a search query, Google may show it higher. That’s because Google now factors in the operational hours of every business. Therefore, keeping a business operational for longer hours or running multiple shifts makes sense.

However, if a business is not operational 24/7, don’t list it as such. This action can result in violations, resulting in lower rankings or delisting.

Website Relating GMB Ranking Factors

Having a website for GMB is optional; however, its impact on your profile makes it necessary. A good website can help your Google SERPs rankings and GMB rankings.

Content

We all have heard the phrase “Content is King,” and it’s accurate. Regularly publishing beneficial content for customers and visitors creates an aura of dependability around your business. Content that helps users in easier decision-making, helps them save time and money, or solves their problems is most recommended.

Keeping it Original and Authentic

Anyone can gather information and represent it in new words. However, best content comes from creative experiences and experimenting. Therefore, Google recommends that businesses to produce authentic and original content. Google favors this type of content as it shows that the creators know what they are doing.

Use your opinion

Share personal perspectives, experiences, and discoveries. If your views and opinions benefit the customers, Google will consider your content and expertise when ranking your GMB profile.

Safety

High security and convenience for the customers are most necessary on your website. If your customer’s experience and data are not under strict protection, your GMB ranking can see a sudden dip.

Speed

Customer experience is crucial for Google’s success. The ideal load time is under 1 second. Your website must load fast on desktop and mobile; even a 2-second delay can cause 87% of the traffic to leave the site.

Mobile Compatibility

58% of all the internet traffic comes from mobile devices. Therefore, you must have a well-optimized, mobile-friendly website. The website needs to be screen responsive and should not be distorted because of the changes in screen size.

Domain Authority

Having a high domain authority improves your GMB ranking. It gives Google the indication that your business is more reliable compared to the direct competitors in your area. Hence, Google ranks GMB hires than others.

Domain Age

Websites younger than 3 years are less likely to achieve good rankings. They are 60% less likely to rank higher than older competitive domains without better offers, values, and recommendations.

Page Structure

A conversion rate-focused layout can help your website and GMB rankings. A proper structure guides your customers to their desired intent, improves their experience, and consequently improves your GMB rankings.

Negative GMB ranking Factors

There are many helpful factors, but some can also hurt GMB ranking. Here are some negative factors that you need to be aware of:

Any violation of guidelines and misrepresentation of your business leads to lower rankings or profile rejection.
If you have a website, it needs to be secure and optimized, as websites with Poor SEO and are harmful to GMB rankings.
In the case of fake or paid content such as reviews, photos, or followers, profiles are prone to delisting, losing rankings, and litigation consequences.
Poorly structured or inaccurate information results in a lower ranking.
An inaccurate location on Google Maps can lower your rankings.
Poor linking building and link exchanges can do more harm than good.
GMB profiles with incomplete data and poor content will experience lower traffic.

How to Rank Higher on GMB? Tips to Consider

All the above facts and precautions can help your business improve its GMB ranking. However, some manual strategies can give it a quick boost in rankings while maintaining its credibility. Here are some helpful suggestions for improving GMB profile rankings.

Building Quality Backlinks

Building paid and false links is forbidden, but businesses can still create manual backlinks. They have to assure that the backlink is on a relevant website and the content it links to is helpful to the users.

Creating guest posts, quality profile creations, and news articles are authentic ways to gain quality backlinks.

Citations

Proper Nap (Name, Address, and Phone number) citations throughout the web can help your business gain good reputation and traffic. Placing your details on directories, classified websites, and other relevant platforms improves reachability. It indicates to Google that you are running an active business.

Optimization

SEO is mandatory for both your GMB profile and website. None of them will rank without it, and your business may suffer its consequences with low traffic. In the case of Google My Business, local optimization is more necessary. So, add location-specific keywords in your metadata and your page content.

General information

Your websites and GMB’s general information need to be rich and specific. You can double down on your industrial expertise and your service area. Address your customers’ pain points from multiple angles and assure that they find your offer beneficial.

FAQ's

What are the top 3 GMB ranking factors?

The top three GMB ranking factors are distance, positive ratings, and citations. Focusing on these three initially will put your GMB profile in a decent rank on the SERPs.

How long does it take to rank GMB?

On average, it takes 3 to 6 months to rank a GMB profile. However, it depends on the frequency of GMB posts, profile optimization, and many other factors. Sometimes, the process is even prolonged up to 12 months.

Is GMB good for SEO?

If you are looking to target a local audience, then GMB is necessary for SEO. Without creating a Google My Business Profile, attracting local clients or customers who are most likely to order from you becomes harder. Without GMB, businesses miss out on many prospects actively searching for their services or products.

Final Thoughts

Many factors affect GMB rankings. However, focusing on the most necessary ones can lead your business to success. Local optimization and regular postings are the sweet spots where most work is required. Additionally, having a strong website is the key to gaining an upper hand over the competition.

A GMB profile and a highly optimized website complement each other in their respective races. Ultimately, the goal is to get maximum visitors on your website or at your physical store. A thoughtful combination of both can help you extract a fair share of Google’s 8.5 billion daily searches.