Building a Google Maps Scraper: Automating Lead Generation

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Building a Google Maps Scraper: Automating Lead Generation

In today’s competitive business landscape, generating quality leads is essential for growth. A powerful method to gather potential client information is through Google Maps data. This article explores how to build a micro-SaaS application that scrapes Google Maps for business information and delivers it directly to your inbox.

What This Automation Can Do

The Google Maps scraper automation allows users to search for businesses based on specific criteria. For example, you can search for plumbing businesses in Chicago, USA, and receive a comprehensive list of leads via email. The information collected includes:

  • Company name
  • Category
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Using Apify for Web Scraping

Apify is a web scraping platform that eliminates the need for technical knowledge about proxies and other anti-blocking measures. The platform hosts numerous pre-built scrapers (called “actors”) developed by both Apify’s team and external developers.

New users can sign up for a free Apify account and receive $5 in credits—sufficient to scrape approximately 1,000 leads from Google Maps. For ongoing use, Apify offers a starter plan at $39 per month, though more economical options may be available.

Setting Up the Google Maps Scraper

Once you have an Apify account, you can locate the Google Maps scraper actor on the homepage. This particular scraper, developed by Compass, charges approximately $3-4 per 1,000 leads generated—a reasonable price for the value provided.

The scraper allows customization through various parameters:

  • Search terms
  • Number of results to scrape
  • Location specifications
  • Additional filters (e.g., “scrape only places with a website”)

Building an Automation Workflow

While you could manually run the scraper on Apify, creating an automated workflow offers a more professional approach, especially if you plan to offer this as a service to clients. The automation consists of five main steps:

1. Form Collection

Create a form that collects essential information from users:

  • Search query (e.g., “plumbing”)
  • City name
  • Country name
  • Email address for receiving results

2. HTTP Request to Apify

Set up an HTTP request node that communicates with Apify’s API. This request should:

  • Use the POST method
  • Include your Apify API key
  • Pass parameters in JSON format, including the search query and location from the form

3. Filtering Results

Implement a filter to process only entries that contain email addresses, ensuring the leads provided are of higher quality.

4. Converting to CSV

Transform the filtered results into a CSV file that can be easily shared and analyzed.

5. Email Delivery

Set up a Gmail node to automatically send the CSV file to the email address provided in the form, with an appropriate subject line like “Your Google Maps leads are here.”

Monetizing the Automation

This relatively simple automation—consisting of just five steps—can be packaged and sold as a service to businesses looking for lead generation solutions. A price point of $500-$1,000 is reasonable considering the value it provides to businesses seeking new clients.

Conclusion

Building a Google Maps scraper automation provides a powerful tool for businesses looking to generate leads efficiently. By leveraging Apify’s platform and creating a streamlined workflow, you can offer this as a valuable service or use it for your own business development efforts.

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