When it comes to improving their website’s ranking on Google searches, most jewelers focus solely on the main search results pages. However, if your goal is to gain more awareness in your local market and bring more customers into your jewelry store, you’ll want to focus some of your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts on Google Maps as well.
In the past, Google would place 7 businesses on each Maps results page, but this has since been decreased this to show only 3. Although this makes it more challenging to make the top 3, it is also much more rewarding, especially when a user types in keywords such as “jewelry store near me.”
Okay, so it’s obviously important to boost your SEO for Google Maps, but how do you go about doing it? Keep reading to learn five simple tips and methods to ensure you’re getting the best Maps ranking possible.
If you don’t already have a Google My Business account, then this should be your first priority.
After creating an account, your next step should be to add images of your jewelry store, including exterior/interior shots, and images of your customers and jewelry.
Now for the GeoTagging part. This is crucial, since every Google My Business listing is based off of an exact location. Adding a GeoTag to your photos gives Google more information to index, which helps increase your ranking on search engine results pages.
To do this, you’ll need to use a GeoTagging tool yourself, or partner with a digital marketing team who can handle GeoTags for you.
Important information such as your store hours, holiday hours, and a detailed description of what you sell/specialize in with keywords (for example: engagement rings) are all great ways to optimize your Google My Business listing.
You should also encourage customers to leave Google reviews, as these will be displayed and add credence to your business’ location — an aspect that plays a key role in increasing your position/ranking on Google Maps.
Citations are basically business listings on various local websites such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, FourSquare, and more. These listings should have consistent NAP (business name, address, and phone number) data to let Google know you’re a real business, with a legitimate location.
Many jewelers we work with fail to build the proper citations, and only focus on a handful of websites. This is precisely why we include citation campaigns in our SEO packages, in order to ensure jewelers are maximizing their visibility on all possible listing websites in their area.
Your website should include an optimized location page, which not only gives users a detailed description of what they can expect while visiting your jewelry store, but also specific information pertaining to your location.
Much like a citation, your location page should include your business’ name, phone number, and address. To further optimize your location page, you should consider adding an embedded Google Map, as well as relevant local keywords.
For example, if you’re a jewelry store in New Hampshire, the title and URL of your page should be something like “Best Jewelry Store in New Hampshire”.
This will help increase your local ranking.
In some ways, Google is basically like a popularity contest; when your web pages are linked by other popular and relevant sites, it tells Google you have authority. Google then rewards your site by placing it higher in their rankings for the specific keywords relevant to your business.
If your goal is to rank higher on Google Maps, you should build backlinks that link back to your location page, along with any additional pages that mention your business’ name, phone number, and location. This can include your contact page or home page.
Google Maps and SEO are crucial for driving sales and generating awareness for your business, but it’s only part of the full equation.
At GemFind, we’ve been developing proprietary digital technology solutions targeted to the jewelry industry for over a decade — and that includes full-scale digital marketing. Our industry knowledge and expertise in data metrics can provide your business with optimized online marketing exposure, maximizing your return of investment.
Our wide range of services include search engine marketing (SEM), SEO, content marketing, content automation, e-commerce, social media, social media optimization, direct email marketing, display advertising, and even influencer marketing.
Don’t trust your business and livelihood to marketing agencies and firms that apply the same approaches to every industry. At GemFind, we understand the complexities and nuances of the jewelry industry, and know what it takes to make your business more successful in today’s evolving market landscape.
Want to find out more? Click here to download our FREE 2019 Marketing Guide for Jewelry Stores.