Believe it or not, Google Maps can be a great free tool to make money online from.
Whether you want to do something part-time for easy extra money or you want to make $30/hour or more and build a full-time business, you can do it with Google Maps.
Here are some great options to consider:
1. Local Marketing Services
By using Google Maps, you can find all kinds of service businesses in a major city that need help getting more customers.
The only thing you're really going to need before doing this is some marketing and maybe some web development skill.
You can learn marketing online using YouTube channels like this one I've been working on with lots of tutorials and tricks, take online courses on sites like Udemy, etc.
Once you know quite a bit about SEO, Google My Business pages, ads, etc., you can follow the guide below.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
- Open up Google Maps and pick a major city
- Look for a type of service business like home cleaning, landscaping, electricians, roofing, etc.
- Find listings that are not already at the top 3 of local results for that business and look for ways they could improve.
- Contact the ones that have very few reviews, dated websites, haven't claimed their business, etc.
- First, help them claim their business on Google. You can charge money for this or do it for free. If you do it for free, they might trust you more and you could just charge for future services.
- Optimize their Google business page with hours, contacts, photos, etc. You can get lots of ideas just from looking at top results.
- Next, help them improve and update their websites.
- Then, help them get on directory sites like Yelp, Facebook, The Good Contractors List, Better Business Bureau, etc.
- Help them have more methods for collecting payments, create easy ways to have customers review them, etc.
- Consider outsourcing certain things if you can get a good deal on Fiverr or other sites.
From here, you just rinse and repeat the steps above.
And what's nice is this can be done with pretty much any kind of local business in just about any city.
The only other question here is: How much should you charge for your services?
So, as I mentioned above, the main skills you'll need for this include SEO, web development, and ad management.
SEO Specialists earn around $45,483/year or about $22/hour.
Web Developers earn around $67,584/year or about $32.50/hour.
And Ad Managers earn around $75,072/year or about $36/hour.
If you average those, that's about $30/hour.
Now, how much you charge should probably depend on the cost of living in your city, which of these tasks you're doing the most of, etc.
But, at least you can see what a nice starting point looks like.
2. Map Analyst
Lionbridge
The second way you can make money from Google Maps is by becoming a Map Quality Analyst or a Map Data Analyst at Lionbridge.
Lionbridge is a company that works with search engines like Google to make sure ads, maps, search results, and other internet-related elements are accurate and working properly.
The Map Analyst-related jobs pay $10-$16 per hour and are VERY easy.
It's also a job you can do in just about any country around the world.
What you do
Here's what Lionbridge says you'll be doing for this job:
“The tasks will involve determining the relevance and accuracy of information by performing online research and referring to guidelines provided to you. The tasks will mainly be map related but it is possible there will be non-map related tasks you are required to work on from time to time.”
In other words, you have to make sure that Google Maps and possibly other map programs are accurate and working properly.
They also mention these jobs are usually part-time and involve working a flexible schedule of up to 20 hours per week.
Qualifications
Here are the qualifications you need to apply for a Map Quality Analyst or other similar position:
- Fluency in whatever language the job is in
- Must be living in the country the job is in for the last 3 consecutive years
- Have a working knowledge of local and national geographical areas
- Pass an online evaluation to demonstrate capability of reading and applying the guidelines
- Experience/know-how of using online maps, search engines and website research
- Have familiarity with current and historical business, media, sport, news, social media and cultural affairs in your country
- Access to and use of a broadband internet connection and associated computer and software to perform the work (provided by you)
This is also an independent contractor position, so you'll have to do your own taxes.
But, there you have it.
You can make some good extra money or even build a full-time business using Google Maps.
WeLocalize
Another place where you can get a Map Quality Rater job is at WeLocalize.
WeLocalize is a multilingual content transformation services in translation, localization, and adaptation for over 250 languages.
Here, you can earn $21-$22/hour.
What you do
“You will be working remotely at a leading consumer technology company as a contributor to the finished products released in target markets across the globe.You will use a unique, web-based tool to evaluate maps based on project guidelines and work with flexible hours to complete tasks that will help shape and develop global technologies.”
You'll also work 10-20 hours per week and be able to set your own schedule.
Qualifications
- Fluency in whatever language you're applying in
- Strong understanding of that language
- Must be currently located in the country you're applying for a job in
- Web-savvy and able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Reliable computer system and internet connection
- Access to latest Desktop versions of Edge, Firefox, Chrome or Safari
- Organized and self-sufficient, able to work remotely without direct supervision
- Has experience with map navigation (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze)
- Ability to follow instructions in English and comply with the project guidelines expected by the client
- Must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement to protect client confidentiality
- Must pass a language proficiency test, learning program, and a rigorous quality test designed by our client before starting work
Preferred but not required:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred
- Relevant work experience preferred
Related: 8 Apps That Pay You $20 per Hour via PayPal
