Even your least tech-savvy clients likely know a thing or two about SEO at this point. They may understand the principle of using keywords to get discovered, and the basics of link-building. However, when it comes to local SEO success, there’s a critical component that many SMBs overlook: local listings.
MapQuest may sound like a blast from the past, but just like many other underutilized local listings out there, it deserves just as much attention as a listing on Yelp, Waze, or even Foursquare. Read on to discover if you should list a business on MapQuest in 2023, a step-by-step guide for how to do so, and important insights about how to get the most out of this and other listings.
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Should you list your business on MapQuest in 2023?
If you remember printing out MapQuest directions before a road trip, you also might wonder if this web mapping service can still deliver results for SMBs today. However, with over 27 million monthly users, it’s a surprisingly relevant platform for accessing local traffic.
MapQuest users can find directions using the app, as well as information about local businesses and businesses on their routes. In turn, businesses using MapQuest for Business can get in front of targeted local audiences and gain interesting, actionable data insights. The potential SEO boost from listing a business on MapQuest, along with other benefits, makes joining the platform’s Local Business Center a no-brainer.
Benefits of adding a business to MapQuest
Having more listings is generally a good thing, provided that the listing websites are reputable. However, you’ll find other reasons to add a business to MapQuest besides having one extra online listing to build your online citations. Here are some key reasons to list a business on MapQuest:
Exposure to local audiences
Getting in front of audiences is great, but it isn’t simply a numbers game. Local businesses can get tons of online traffic, but if it isn’t targeted and local, it won’t necessarily translate to more revenue. The ultimate goal of all local SEO, including local listing management, is to positively impact a business’s search visibility. Listing a business on MapQuest supports this goal by helping businesses build their presence online and get discovered by local audiences looking for a reputable product or service provider.
Local SEO boost
Search engines interpret local listings as positive reputational signals. In other words, they suggest that a business must be active and relevant if they have lots of consistent listings on different local listing websites. When you list a business on MapQuest, it gives Google and other search engines a signal that the business is more reputable and should appear in local search results.
Gain more reviews
When a business has lots of positive and recent reviews, potential customers have more of an incentive to trust that the business’s product or service is worthwhile. The more reviews a business can generate, the more its online reputation will improve in the eyes of their consumer. When you list a business on MapQuest, you can also use review management to encourage more reviews. That way, whenever someone sees the listing, they’ll also see those encouraging recent reviews.
Benefit from Local Intelligence
MapQuest’s Local Intelligence is first-party consumer location data that businesses and agencies can use to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior. It includes data points such as keywords used in search, routes taken, points of interest they have visited, and more to understand how users are finding and interacting with their business online.
Opportunity to engage
Reviews shouldn’t be one-way communications. Businesses can engage their customers by responding to reviews they receive on MapQuest, demonstrating their willingness to take customer feedback into account, and improving their online reputations. Again, reputation management software can come in very handy here, giving businesses the ability to respond to reviews across different websites from one dashboard.
How to create a listing on MapQuest for Business
The process to list a business on MapQuest directly through their platform is pretty straightforward. Here’s exactly how it’s done.
Step 1: Head over to MapQuest for Business.
Step 2: In the Product menu, click Business Listings. This takes you to MapQuest’s Local Business Center.
Step 3: Click the Claim Your Business button.
Step 4: On the next screen, select if you have a single-location business, a multi-location business, or a marketing agency, and complete the form.
At this stage, they will run a scan to identify missing or inconsistent information on these sites. You can correct any missing or incomplete information.
The number of websites your updated listing data will get pushed to depends on the next step.
Step 5: Select your MapQuest for Business plan in their Local Business Center. Four plans are available.
- The basic MapQuest-only listing costs $150 per year
- Plans with additional listings range from $449 to $999 per year
Step 6: Check out and provide your billing information. You’ll get an email from MapQuest when your updated listings are live. You can log in and update your info at any time.
Another way to list a business on MapQuest is with the use of a listing builder. Vendasta’s listing builder can be used to find local business listing websites well beyond those available through MapQuest.
Tips for optimizing MapQuest for Business listings
Once you add a business to MapQuest, follow these tips to make sure it’s benefiting the business as much as possible:
- Use listing management tools: Local listing management is much easier when you have the right tools for the job. Using a listing builder like Vendasta’s businesses and agencies can manage listings on over 100 of the best online business directories without having to manually check each one. This ensures listings are consistent, which is a must from an SEO perspective.
- Engage regularly: Responding to reviews soon after they are posted is the best way for businesses to demonstrate that they are responsive, transparent, and engaged with their customer base.
- Update images: While a business’s name, address, and contact information are the most important components of a listing, having recent images can capture the attention and interest of prospective customers, leading to more conversions.
- Use keywords when possible: When you list a business on MapQuest or many other directories, there’s a business description field. This is a good place to use some keywords related to the business, to maximize the local SEO benefits of the listing.
FAQs
1. What does it mean to list your business on MapQuest?
Listing your business on MapQuest means adding your location, contact information, and business details to the MapQuest directory. This helps customers easily find your business through local searches, directions, and navigation tools.
2. Why should businesses list on MapQuest?
Listing on MapQuest improves your local visibility, especially for customers using navigation apps and GPS services. A verified listing ensures accurate directions, builds trust, and increases foot traffic to your business location.
3. How do I list my business on MapQuest?
You can visit MapQuest’s Business Listings Manager and search for your business. If it doesn’t exist, you can add it manually by entering your name, address, phone number, and category. Once verified, your listing will appear in MapQuest search results.
4. Is it free to list a business on MapQuest?
Yes. Adding a basic business listing to MapQuest is free. However, businesses can also choose paid listing management services through platforms like Vendasta to ensure accuracy across MapQuest and other directories.
5. How can Vendasta help businesses get listed on MapQuest?
Vendasta’s Listing Management tool automatically syncs business information to MapQuest and other key directories. This saves time, ensures consistency, and improves local SEO so customers can find accurate information everywhere they search.
6. What information should I include in my MapQuest listing?
Include your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, hours of operation, and business category. Adding photos and a short description can also help your listing stand out and attract more customers.
7. How long does it take for a MapQuest business listing to appear?
After submitting your listing, it usually takes a few days for verification and publication. Using a service like Vendasta accelerates this process and keeps your listing automatically updated across directories.
8. How does listing on MapQuest help local SEO?
Listing your business on MapQuest strengthens your local search visibility by creating a high-quality citation. Consistent business information across major directories like MapQuest, Google, and Yelp improves local ranking and credibility.
9. Can I manage multiple business listings on MapQuest?
Yes. Multi-location businesses or agencies can manage multiple listings through centralized platforms like Vendasta. This allows for bulk updates, ensuring all business locations remain accurate and discoverable across mapping platforms.
10. How often should I update my MapQuest business listing?
You should update your listing whenever key details—like hours, contact info, or location—change. Regular updates keep your information accurate, improve SEO, and prevent customer frustration from outdated directions or details.
