How to Rank in Google Maps: Step 5 (You can’t manage what you don’t measure)
Last time we talked about dealing with negative reviews; today we’re going to finish this five-step series with Google Local Business measurement.
Last June, Google Local Business Center added a Dashboard and Analytics. To get started, log into your Local Business Account and click “View report”.
The Analytics aren’t as powerful as Google Analytics, but you do get some interesting data. Get a complete look at all of the Dashboard components here.
What you get from the Dashboard
Google’s gone social
I just noticed this new section in the Dashboard (perhaps inspired by Buzz?). You can now post a 160-character status update; not unlike Twitter or Facebook.
And posts go live pretty quickly…
Local posts would be a great way to advertise a sale, a blogpost, whatever you’re looking to promote!
Is your profile complete?
Google will let you know if your profile is complete. Do you have pictures and video uploaded? Are all of your categories included? Are your business hours live?
Keywords
Activity, impressions, and driving directions are interesting – and might be more important depending on what industry your company is in. But I think one of the most valuable pieces of information the Dashboard gives are the top search queries. While I wish they would provide the geographic identifier (is it Portland, Maine or Scarborough, Maine the person was searching for?), the keywords will give you a good idea of whether or not people are finding you using the right keywords.
If the search queries are different than what you’re looking to rank for, start by changing your categories around a bit. If that doesn’t help, then there’s a problem with how your web site is optimized.
And that does it! You’ve just done everything you can to rank better at Google Maps.
Nicki Hicks
Measure, measure, measure
Tags: Analytics, Dashboard, Google Local Business Center, Google Maps