What is Google Maps Advertising? Do Small Businesses Need It?

Google Maps Advertising In the digital age, consumers tend to search for businesses, stores, and services around them through Google Maps. Especially for small businesses, appearing prominently on Google Maps not only helps increase customer visits but also enhances brand reputation in the eyes of the local community.

So what is Google Maps advertising? What are the benefits compared to SEO Google Maps for free? Do small businesses really need to run Google Maps ads? Let's analyze in detail with MIMA TRADING SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED below.

What is Google Maps Advertising?

Google Maps Advertising (or Local Search Ads) is a form of paid advertising for your business to appear prominently when users search on Google Maps or Google Search with local keywords.

For example:

• Users search for "cake shop near me" → Google Maps ads appear first.
• Users search for "Tan Phu massage spa" → spas that run ads will stand out on top.

Google Maps Ads Display Format

Maps ads can appear:

• On Google Maps app for mobile and desktop
• On Google Search (displays as map pack tagged [Ads])
• On Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)

Easy to recognize features: The business is labeled "Ads" and is at the top of the map search results list.

How Google Maps Ads Work

Google Maps Advertising works based on:

• Google Ads: You need to set up an ad campaign in Google Ads and connect with Google Business Profile.
• Location targeting: Display ads to users within a certain radius or specific area.
• Search keywords: Businesses choose keywords related to local products/services.

Display process:

• Users search for keywords with a local element (e.g. Gò Vấp barbershop)
• Google Maps prioritizes displaying businesses that run ads first
• Users click to view information, make calls, get directions or visit directly

Benefits of Google Maps Advertising for Small Businesses

Increase visibility and brand awareness

• Appearing on top of Google Maps results helps your brand stand out from competitors.
• Easily attract customers looking for services/products in the area.

Attract customers to visit the store
According to Google:

• 76% of people who search near me will visit the store on the same day,
• 28% of them make a purchase.

This proves that Google Maps advertising has the ability to create high direct conversions for small businesses such as:

• Coffee shop, milk tea
• Restaurant
• Barber shop, spa, nail salon
• Gym, yoga
• Convenience store, retail

Save advertising costs

• Google Maps advertising costs are often cheaper than traditional Google Search Ads, due to competition in a narrow area.
• Display to the right target audience around → increase conversion rates, optimize budget.

Create prestige and credibility

• Businesses that run Google Maps ads often:
• Appear with reviews and star ratings, creating trust for customers.
• Considered more reputable than businesses that are not on Maps or are at the bottom of the list.

Support Google Maps SEO: Running Google Maps ads indirectly increases visits, directions, and phone calls, thereby improving local SEO signals and long-term organic rankings on Maps.

Compare Google Maps Advertising and Free Google Maps SEO

👉 It is best to combine both SEO and Maps advertising for optimal and sustainable results.

 Do Small Businesses Need to Run Google Maps Ads?

 If you are a local business
✅ Has a physical store, needs customers to visit directly
✅ Want to quickly increase the number of new customers
✅ Want to beat competitors in the area

→ Definitely SHOULD run Google Maps ads, because:

• Customers searching usually make quick decisions.
• The cost is not too high compared to the value of each customer.
• Especially effective for F&B, beauty, and local service industries.

If you only sell online, no address
Running Google Maps ads will not be suitable, instead you should:

• Invest in Google Search Ads
• Run Facebook/Instagram Ads
• Focus on website SEO

Steps to Run Effective Google Maps Ads

Step 1: Create and Optimize Google Business Profile

• Ensure complete information: name, address, phone, website
• Update high-quality photos and videos
• Encourage customers to rate 5 stars

Step 2: Connect to Google Ads account

• Make sure Google Business has been verified
• Link with Google Ads to create Local Search Ads campaigns

Step 3: Set up the ad campaign

• Choose keywords with local elements: for example “Go Vap massage spa”
• Target radius around the store (1-5km depending on the industry)
• Set up a suitable budget

Step 4: Monitor - Optimize

• Track impressions, clicks, phone calls, directions
• Optimize keywords, budget, images, and reviews to increase CTR

Case study: Increase 250% of spa visits thanks to Google Maps advertising

• Customer: Skin care spa in Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City
• Problem: New customer quantity decreased, many competitors

Solution by MIMA:

• Optimize Google Business Profile: images, reviews, CTA
• Deploy Google Maps advertising with a target radius of 3km
• Combine Google Search Ads spa service keywords
• Results after 30 days:
• Increased 250% new customers visited the spa
• Appointment call volume increased 180%
• CPA (cost per conversion) decreased 40% compared to Facebook Ads

👉 This is clear proof of the outstanding effectiveness of Google Maps advertising for local businesses.

Professional Google Maps advertising service at MIMA

MIMA TRADING SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED provides services:

• Set up and optimize Google Business Profile SEO standard
• Deploy in-depth Google Maps advertising campaigns
• Consult on a comprehensive local marketing strategy
• Measure – report – optimize periodically

Why choose MIMA?

✅ Over 10 years of Google Ads – Local SEO experience
✅ Has implemented 1000+ Maps projects for spas, salons, cafes, gyms
✅ Professional technical and content team
✅ Commitment to increasing direct visits

Contact information:
MIMA TRADING SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED
📍 Address: Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City
📞 Hotline/Zalo: 0909 035 333
📩 Email: info@mimadigi.com
🌐 Website: https://mimadigi.com

👉 Contact MIMA now for a free consultation on how to implement effective Google Maps advertising, helping your small business increase customers - increase revenue this week!