How can driving directions help improve the ranking of my Google business profile?

Short Answer: Google tracks driving directions to your business location, which is a valuable but often overlooked factor that can boost your Google business profile’s ranking. By consistently inputting your starting point and destination in Google Maps, especially when your team is out on jobs, this data helps improve your profile’s visibility and should be integrated into your standard operating procedures.

Full Explanation

One of the most underappreciated ways to improve your Google business profile ranking is by utilizing driving directions data. Google collects information whenever someone, including you or your technicians, generates a route to your business address using Google Maps. This kind of interaction signals to Google that your business location is active and relevant to users searching for local services.

Because this tracking happens behind the scenes, many business owners are unaware of its impact. However, it plays a meaningful role in helping your profile rank better in local search results. The more consistent this activity, the stronger the signal to Google about your business’s real-world presence and demand.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Plan the Route: Before your technicians leave for a job, open Google Maps and enter the starting address and the destination address—the location of the job or your business.
Start the Route: Begin navigating the route using Google Maps. This action logs the directions data to your business location.
Repeat Consistently: Make this a routine part of your team’s operations whenever they are out in the field. Regular activity strengthens the data signal to Google.
Integrate into SOP: Formalize these steps in your standard operating procedure to ensure consistency and make this an ongoing habit.

Real Examples

While specific customer examples are not provided here, the principle is clear: consistent routing activity involving your business location sends positive engagement signals to Google. This can lead to improvements in how your business ranks in search results through enhanced local relevance.

Common Mistakes

Ignoring Driving Directions Data: Many businesses overlook the importance of routing activity, missing out on an easy ranking boost.
Inconsistent Use: Sporadic or irregular entry of routes fails to create a strong signal, reducing the potential ranking benefits.
Not Incorporating into Routine: Failing to integrate this practice into daily operations means the positive signals won’t accumulate over time.

FAQs

Q: Does routing data only come from my technicians?
A: While your technicians are a key source, anyone who uses Google Maps to navigate to your business can contribute data that helps your profile ranking.

Q: Is it required to have Google Maps open continuously?
A: It is important to start the route in Google Maps so that Google can collect the directions data.

Q: How often should I log driving directions?
A: Ideally, every time your team or yourself travels to or from a job location or your business.

Key Takeaways

Google tracks driving directions data as part of its evaluation of your business profile.
This data is undervalued but can significantly improve your Google business profile ranking.
Consistently entering routes on Google Maps before trips helps Google gather valuable signals.
Integrating this process into your standard operating procedures ensures continual ranking benefits.