What Can Franchises Do to Improve Google Business Profile Rankings?

Whether you're a corporate marketer at a franchise or a local franchise owner, you know that ranking in the Google Map Pack is crucial to your success. The Map Pack, also known as the Local Pack, is the section of the search results that displays a map with three local businesses that match the search query. Getting your business to appear in the Map Pack can be a game-changer for your visibility and revenue.

But how do you improve your ranking in the Google Map Pack? Here are six tips to help you get started:

1 - Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing

The first step to improving your ranking in the Map Pack is to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing. Your GBP listing is your online business profile, and it's what Google uses to determine your relevance to a search query.

To claim your GBP listing, you'll need to verify your business with Google. Once you've claimed your listing, make sure you fill out all the information completely and accurately. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and business category.

It's important to choose the correct business category because Google uses this to determine which search queries your business should appear for. You should also add photos and videos to your listing to help showcase your business and give potential customers a better idea of what you offer.

2 - Build a strong local online presence

Having a strong local online presence is crucial to ranking in the Map Pack. This means having a website that has lots of unique and locally relevant content, is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate, as well as active social media profiles. You should also make sure your business is listed in local directories like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, Yellow Pages, and others.

In addition, you should strive to get as many online reviews as possible. Google uses online reviews as a ranking factor, so having a high volume of positive reviews can help boost your ranking in the Map Pack. Encourage your customers to leave reviews by asking for a review after you have worked with them.  The majority of customers will leave a review if asked.

3 - Use local keywords in your website content to build local relevance

Using local keywords in your website content is another way to improve your ranking in the Map Pack. Local keywords are search terms that include your location, such as “plumber in Los Angeles” or “Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.”

Include these local keywords in your website content, such as in your page titles, headings, and meta descriptions. This will help Google understand what your business does and where it's located, which can improve your ranking in the Map Pack.

4 - Get local backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website. Google uses backlinks as a ranking factor, and getting local backlinks can help improve your ranking in the Map Pack.

One way to get local backlinks is to join local business organizations and participate in local events. You can also reach out to other local businesses and ask if they'd be willing to link to your website.

5 - Ensure your business information is consistent across the web

Having consistent business information across the web is crucial to building trust and improving your ranking in the Map Pack. This includes your business name, address, and phone number (NAP).

Make sure your NAP is consistent across your website, GBP listing, and other online directories. If your NAP is inconsistent, it can confuse Google and hurt your ranking in the Map Pack.

6 - Use Google Posts

Google Posts are a feature of GBP that allows you to create short updates or promotions that appear in your business listing. Google Posts are a great way to showcase your business and keep your listing up-to-date.

Use Google Posts to promote sales, events, or new products or services. You can also use Google Posts to share photos and videos that highlight your business.

To sum things up, appearing in the Google Map Pack is essential for local businesses that want to attract new customers and grow their business. By claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile listing, using relevant keywords, building citations and backlinks, and getting listed in local directories, you can improve your ranking in the Map Pack and increase your visibility to potential customers.

What's important to remember, though, is that improving your ranking in the Map Pack is an ongoing process that requires time, effort, and attention. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can give your business the best chance of appearing in the top three results on Google Maps and driving more traffic to your website and storefront.

The biggest challenge for franchises and other types of multi-location businesses is that it can be difficult and time consuming to manage this type of effort at scale across many locations. Many local franchisees simply don’t have the time or expertise to manage their local digital marketing and they can become easily frustrated and discouraged. That’s where MarketSnare can help! We have a team that works exclusively with franchise companies and their local representatives to implement these strategies at scale in an efficient and cost effective way that is still personalized for your local markets and representatives.

So there is no reason you can’t start dominating the local map pack listings across all your markets now. Check out our site to explore these strategies today and watch your business grow!