Getting "On the Map"

So, you know when you do a Google search for a local servcie and right below the ads is a map listing?

That's the Map Pack.

It would appear three lucky companies just happen to be featured on the front page of Google.

Getting into the Map Pack should be a strategic goal of any business, large or small.  That's where organic lead generation begins. It's typically the first thing that catches a users eye.... the large picture of the map and the three businesses below it.

The three companies in that map pack aren't lucky.

They're good.

They didn't get there by accident.

There are a few key factors in getting your business into that Map Pack.

1.) Completely fill out your business listing (now Google Plus) with as much detail and original pictures as reasonably possible.

2.) Citations (Will get into this in more detail later, but it's essentially copying and pasting the EXACT name of your business on Google My Business, address, and phone number on important directories around the internet. It has to be EXACTLY the same as your Google My Business listing.)

3.) Organic reviews AND timely responses from you, the business owner. 

4.) Time

There are others factors, but the last one mentioned above- time- is probably the most frustrating to everyone. There's only so much we can do to speed the process up, but time ellapsed plays a role in how businesses rank.

Which makes it all the more important to get the ball rolling today!