Google Maps Ads provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to reach potential customers who are actively searching for their products or services in a specific area. Setting up Google Maps Ads helps you increase your business’s visibility on the popular Google Maps platform and make it easier for potential customers to find and connect with your brand.
As more and more people rely on Google Maps to find businesses near them, advertising on this platform becomes vital for your business’s growth. These ads not only help businesses get discovered by potential customers but also drive foot traffic to their physical locations. In turn, this helps businesses improve their overall presence in the local market.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps Ads help businesses increase visibility and reach potential customers in their local area.
- Setting up a Google Maps Ad campaign requires a Google Business Profile account and a Google Ads account.
- Monitoring and optimizing your Google Maps Ads will lead to better results and higher return on investment.
WHAT ARE GOOGLE MAPS ADS
Google Maps Ads are a form of online advertising that helps your business locations to be easily found by potential customers on Google Maps. When people search for a local business on Google Maps or Google Search, such as “shoe store near me,” a local search ad featuring your business can appear, making it prominent for local shoppers.
Setting up Google Maps Ads involves creating a campaign and configuring it to best suit your target audience. If you advertise on Google Maps, you have the advantage of attracting nearby customers and directing them to your location.
There are two main types of Google Maps Ads:
- Local Search Ads: These ads appear in search results on Google Maps or Google Search and can include your business location, contact information, and directions. Local Search Ads help your business stand out from other search results and serve to attract potential customers who are specifically searching for a business nearby.
- Promoted Pins: Unlike local search ads, promoted pins are square icons that appear directly on the map. They indicate that it is a paid ad, helping your business stand out from other nearby locations. Promoted pins can be especially useful for attracting the attention of users who are exploring the map or planning a trip in the area.
By integrating Google Maps Ads into your marketing strategy, you can effectively reach local customers, stand out among competitors, and drive potential clients to your physical location. Remember, being confident and clear in your ad’s message can help attract and retain the attention of your target audience.
WHY USE GOOGLE MAPS ADS
Google Maps Ads are a powerful way to reach nearby customers and increase foot traffic to your local business. By advertising on Google Maps, you make it easy for people in your area to find your location and learn about your products or services.
One of the main benefits of using Google Maps Ads is the ability to target users who are already searching for businesses like yours nearby. When someone searches for a specific product or service, your ad will appear directly on the map, making your business more visible and accessible to potential customers. This can be particularly helpful if you have a brick-and-mortar store that depends on walk-in traffic.
Additionally, Google Maps Ads include features such as promoted pins, which can help your business stand out from competitors on the map. You can also include important details about your business, such as driving directions and contact information, making it easier for users to find you and get in touch. In essence, advertising on Google Maps provides a customised, user-friendly experience for potential customers in your geographic area.
Another reason to consider using Google Maps Ads is their cost-effectiveness. Like other Google Ads campaigns, you can set a budget that suits your needs, ensuring that you only pay for the results you want. Additionally, Google Maps Ads operate on a cost-per-click basis, meaning you only pay when a user clicks on your ad and engages with your business.
UNDERSTANDING GOOGLE'S LOCAL SEARCH ADS
Google’s Local Search Ads are designed to help businesses reach nearby customers who are searching for their products or services. Showing your ads on Google Maps helps you attract potential customers and increase your store visits. These ads are especially useful for local businesses that have a physical location or serve a specific geographic area.
To start using Local Search Ads, you need to enable location assets for your Google Ads account. This will help Google determine the best times and locations to show your ads. Next, you should set up or update your Business Profile listing. This is crucial for accurate targeting, as your listing provides information about your store’s location, hours, and contact details.
Some potential benefits of using Local Search Ads include increased store visits, higher visibility, and better engagement with potential customers. Your ads will be displayed on Google Maps, either as sponsored pins or as text ads in the search results. This makes it easy for users to find your store and access your website or call your business directly.
SETTING UP GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE ACCOUNT
Before you can create Google Maps Ads, you need to set up your Google Business Profile (former Google My Business). This account will be the foundation for your online presence across Google services such as Search and Maps.
First, visit the sign-up page for Google Business Profile. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one.
We are not going to delve into the setup process deeply here, however, you can read our step by step guide and learn how to set up your Google Business Profile.
Once your account is verified, you’ll be able to manage your business profile on Google Maps. This includes updating opening hours, and adding photos, promotions, and product information. Keeping your profile accurate and up-to-date can significantly improve the success of your Google Maps Ads.
Need more details? Check out the comprehensive Google Business Profile guide here!
CREATING A GOOGLE ADS ACCOUNT
Before setting up Google Maps Ads, you need to create a Google Ads account. Follow these simple steps to get started.
First, go to the Google Ads signup page. If you already have a Google account, sign in with your credentials. If not, you’ll need to create a new Google account. Fill in the required information and click “Next.”
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be guided through the initial setup process. Start by adding your business name and website. Linking your existing Google accounts may help speed up campaign setup and provide tailored recommendations along the way.
Next, choose your advertising objective. This will determine the type of campaign you need to create, such as search, display, or app campaigns. Your advertising objective should align with your overall business goals.
Set your budget and bid strategy according to your advertising goals. Keep in mind that your budget should be flexible and reflect your willingness to invest in advertising efforts. Your bid strategy can be either automatic, where Google sets the bids for you, or manual, where you control the bids yourself.
After setting up your basic campaign information, you will be guided in choosing the right campaign type. This choice depends on your advertising goals and the type of audience you want to target. For Google Maps Ads, you will need to enable location assets for your Google Ads account and set up or update your Business Profile listing.
Now that your Google Ads account is created, you can proceed with setting up your Google Maps Ads campaign. Remember to monitor your campaign’s performance and make adjustments as necessary for optimal results.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMPAIGN TYPE
When setting up Google Maps Ads, you need to select the appropriate campaign type to effectively reach your target audience and meet your advertising goals. There are multiple campaign types available in Google Ads, and each one is tailored to a specific goal.
For Google Maps ads, the best campaign type to choose is the Local campaign. Local campaigns are specifically designed to help businesses drive store visits and promote physical locations. These campaigns achieve this by displaying ads across various Google platforms, including Maps, Search, Display, and YouTube.
When setting up a local campaign, you should first determine your advertising goal. For Google Maps ads, your goal will generally be to increase foot traffic to your store or physical location. Next, establish a budget that you’re comfortable with while ensuring it’s sufficient to drive the desired outcomes.
Keywords play an important role in your campaign’s success. Be sure to choose relevant keyword themes that accurately represent your business and include your location to help potential customers find you with ease. Google Ads will use these keywords to match your ads to user queries based on their location and interests.
Finally, choose the demographics and location preferences that align with your target audience. This is crucial, as it helps maximise the potential exposure of your ads to the right customers. If you employ these strategies, you’ll effectively reach your audience and drive traffic to your business through Google Maps ads.
Remember, choosing the right campaign type is only the beginning. Monitor your campaign’s performance and make adjustments as needed to ensure continued success. Stay confident and proactive in your advertising efforts, and you’ll see the benefits of a well-planned campaign with Google Maps Ads.
SETTING UP YOUR FIRST GOOGLE MAPS AD CAMPAIGN
- Defining Your Target Audience
Before you begin setting up your Google Maps ad campaign, you need to define your target audience. Having a clear understanding of who you want to reach will help you make the right decisions throughout the campaign creation process. Consider demographic factors, interests, and geographic locations of your potential customers. This will ensure your ads are shown to the most relevant users on Google Maps.
- Setting Your Budget
Next, determine the budget you plan to allocate for your Google Maps ad campaign. Google Ads operates on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis, so you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. When setting up your budget, consider factors such as your overall marketing budget, the competitiveness of your industry, and your desired campaign duration. Remember that you can always adjust your budget as your campaign progresses, based on its performance.
- Selecting Your Keywords
Keyword selection plays a critical role in ensuring your Google Maps ads are shown to the right users. Start by brainstorming a list of keywords relevant to your business and services, then use tools such as Google Ads Keyword Planner to research their potential effectiveness. Focus on high-quality, location-specific keywords to optimize the results of your Google Maps ad campaign. Discover 9 effective keyword research tools we recommend.
- Creating Your Ad
Finally, it’s time to create your ad. This involves crafting effective ad copy and visuals that will encourage users to click on your ad. Keep your messaging clear, concise, and focused on the benefits your business provides. Be sure to include a strong call to action that entices users to take the desired action, whether it’s visiting your website, making a phone call, or navigating to your physical location.
MONITORING & OPTIMISING YOUR GOOGLE MAPS ADS
One essential aspect of managing your Google Maps Ads is keeping an eye on their performance and optimising them for better results. Closely monitoring your ads ensures you make necessary adjustments to improve their effectiveness.
Track and analyse your ad performance using the data available in your Google Ads dashboard. Keep an eye on key metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and cost per conversion. Analysing these metrics helps you identify what is working and where improvements can be made.
Optimise your Google Business Profile as it plays a crucial role in Google Maps Ads success. Ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date, including your business name, address, telephone number, and website URL. Adding relevant keywords to your business description can also boost your Google Maps Marketing Strategy.
When managing your ad targeting, consider adjusting your bid strategy. Sometimes increasing your bid for specific keywords or location targeting can lead to better ad placement and improved visibility. On the other hand, if you notice that some keywords or locations aren’t yielding results, consider reducing your bid or excluding them altogether from your campaign.
Finally, test different ad copy and extensions to see what resonates best with your audience. Experiment with various headlines, ad descriptions, and call-to-actions to find the most compelling message. Keep track of your tests and measure your performance to identify patterns and learn from your findings.
While Google Maps ads are not free, Google Business Profile is a free tool you can use to promote your business. Having an optimised GBP profile can boost your ranking in organic local search results. However, using Google Maps ads can significantly increase your chance of getting noticed by potential customers.
There could be multiple reasons why your ads aren’t showing on Google Maps. Some common causes include low ad quality, insufficient budget, or not enabling location extensions. It’s essential to review your campaign settings and performance to determine the issue and make any necessary adjustments.
To integrate Google Ads with Maps, you must first enable location extensions in your Google Ads account settings. This feature allows you to include your business addresses alongside your ads, making it easier for customers to find your physical location.