How to Set Up Google Maps Ads for SMBs
What are Google Maps ads?
Google Maps ads are a type of advertising that allows businesses to advertise to users when they are searching for directions or local businesses on Google Maps. These ads appear as sponsored listings on the map, and they can include information such as the business’s location, phone number, and website.
To advertise on Google Maps, businesses can create a Google My Business listing and link it to their Google Ads account. From there, they can create and manage their Google Maps ads through the Google Ads platform.
Google Maps ads are a useful way for businesses to reach potential customers when they are looking for local businesses or services. By advertising on Google Maps, businesses can increase their visibility and reach a targeted audience of users who are looking for what they have to offer.
How do ads on Google Maps work?
Google Maps ads work by allowing businesses to advertise to users when they are searching for directions or local businesses on Google Maps. When a user searches for a local business or service on Google Maps, they may see sponsored listings in the search results. These sponsored listings are ads that businesses have paid to display in order to increase their visibility and reach potential customers.
To create and manage Google Maps ads, businesses first need to set up a Google My Business listing and link it to their Google Ads account. From there, they can create and manage their ads through the Google Ads platform.
Google Maps ads are shown to users based on their location and the keywords they are searching for. Businesses can target their ads to specific locations and use keywords to make sure their ads are shown to users who are searching for what they have to offer.
Overall, Google Maps ads allow businesses to reach a targeted audience of users who are looking for local businesses or services, and they can be a useful tool for increasing visibility and driving foot traffic to physical locations.
Benefits of advertising on Google Maps
- 1. Reach a targeted audience: Google Maps ads allow businesses to reach a targeted audience of users who are looking for local businesses or services. By targeting their ads to specific locations and using relevant keywords, businesses can make sure their ads are seen by users who are most likely to be interested in what they have to offer.
- 2. Increase visibility and drive foot traffic: Google Maps ads can increase a business’s visibility and drive foot traffic to their physical location. When a user searches for a local business or service on Google Maps, they may see sponsored listings for nearby businesses. This can help attract new customers and drive foot traffic to the business.
- 3. Easy to set up and manage: Google Maps ads are easy to set up and manage through the Google Ads platform. Businesses can create and manage their ads through their Google Ads account, and they can adjust their targeting and budget as needed.
- 4. Detailed reporting and analytics: Google Maps ads come with detailed reporting and analytics, which can help businesses track the performance of their campaigns and identify areas for improvement.
Features of Google Maps ads
- 1. Location targeting: Google Maps ads allow businesses to target their ads to specific locations, such as a city, region, or zip code. This can help businesses reach a targeted audience of users who are looking for local businesses or services.
- 2. Keyword targeting: Businesses can use keywords to make sure their ads are shown to users who are searching for specific products or services. This can help increase the relevance of their ads and improve their performance.
- 3. Ad extensions: Google Maps ads allow businesses to use ad extensions, which are additional pieces of information that can be added to their ads. Ad extensions can include a phone number, a website link, or a link to a specific page on the business’s website.
- 4. Detailed reporting and analytics: Google Maps ads come with detailed reporting and analytics, which can help businesses track the performance of their campaigns and identify areas for improvement.
- 5. Call-only ads: Google Maps allows businesses to create call-only ads, which are ads that only allow users to call the business directly from the ad. This can be useful for businesses that rely on phone calls for conversions, such as restaurants or service-based businesses.
How to start advertising on Google Maps
- 1. Set up a Google My Business listing: To advertise on Google Maps, you will need to have a Google My Business listing for your business. This listing includes information about your business, such as your location, phone number, and website.
- 2. Link your Google My Business listing to your Google Ads account: To create and manage your Google Maps ads, you will need to link your Google My Business listing to your Google Ads account.
- 3. Create a new campaign in Google Ads: To create a Google Maps ad, you will need to create a new campaign in Google Ads. Choose “Search Network Only” as the campaign type and select “Google Maps” as the subtype.
- 4. Set your targeting options: In the targeting section of your campaign, you can choose the locations where you want your ads to be shown and the keywords that you want to target.
- 5. Create your ad: Create your ad by writing ad copy and selecting any ad extensions you want to use. You can also add a link to a specific page on your website or a call-only ad.
- 6. Set your budget and bid: Set your budget and bid for your campaign. Your bid is the amount you are willing to pay each time someone clicks on your ad.
- 7. Launch your campaign: Once you have finished setting up your campaign, click “Launch” to start advertising on Google Maps.
