To rank high in Google Local, you need to optimize your Google My Business listing with accurate and up-to-date information, including your business name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.
Google uses a variety of signals to determine local ranking, including relevance, distance, and prominence. You can increase your relevance by ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and has a clear and concise description of your business.
Accurate and consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP) citations across the web are crucial for local ranking. Google uses NAP citations to verify your business's identity and build trust with users.
By following these simple strategies, you can improve your Google Local ranking and increase visibility for your business.
Why Google Local Ranking Matters
Ranking high on Google Maps is like having your business on the main street, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
This heightened visibility can significantly increase foot traffic to your physical location and clicks to your website, leading to potential sales.
Having a top spot on Google Maps signals that you're a top choice in your area, building trust with potential customers.
Here are some of the key benefits of ranking higher on Google Maps:
- Potential customers finding about your services and products
- Potential customers can learn about how to find, and get to your brick and mortar business
- Reaching a wider audience through online exposure
- Your competitors won’t get the upper hand
- Potential customers can get an idea of your business, as in, what to expect, prices for services or products, what other services you may offer, who they can contact, your local business opening hours and many other important information related to your local business
Why to Care About Height
Ranking high on Google Maps is like having your business on the main street, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
It puts you right where people are, making it easier for potential customers to find you when they’re searching for what you offer or any terms related to it.
Ranking high on Google Maps signals that you’re a top choice in your area.
Such heightened visibility can significantly increase foot traffic to your physical location.
A top spot in the Google Maps Pack can lead to increased clicks to your website, potentially resulting in sales.
It builds trust with potential customers, making them more likely to choose your business over others.
What Are the Benefits
Ranking high on Google Maps is like having your business on the main street, making it easier for potential customers to find you when they're searching for what you offer.
Having a top spot on Google Maps signals that you're a top choice in your area, which can significantly increase foot traffic to your physical location.
This heightened visibility can lead to potential sales, which is why businesses fight for the coveted spot in the Google Maps Pack.
Here are some of the specific benefits of ranking high on Google Maps:
- Potential customers finding about your services and products
- Potential customers can learn about how to find, and get to your brick and mortar business
- Reaching a wider audience through online exposure
- Your competitors won’t get the upper hand
- Potential customers can get an idea of your business, as in, what to expect, prices for services or products, what other services you may offer, who they can contact, your local business opening hours and many other important information related to your local business
Ranking high on Google Maps builds trust with potential customers, making it more likely for them to choose your business over others.
SEO can influence how people are finding you, as well as how much you are spending with Google Ads, making search engine optimization a crucial aspect of online marketing.
Understanding Google Map Pack
The Google Map Pack is a special section on Google's search results page that showcases the top three local businesses that match your query. It's like a VIP section for local businesses.
This box is displayed prominently at the top of the search results page, making it prime real estate for businesses. Google pulls up this box when you search for services or products near you, giving you handy info like ratings, opening hours, and a snippet of the map to show where they're located.
Landing a spot in the Google Map Pack can mean a serious boost in visibility and customer traffic for businesses, both online and offline. It's a quick and user-friendly way for Google users to compare options without having to dig through a ton of websites.
The Local 3 Pack displays three businesses that are relevant to a user's search query, providing crucial information such as the business's name, address, reviews rating, and operating hours. This information is displayed prominently on the first page of Google's search results, making it easy for users to see at a glance which businesses are worth considering.
Google's algorithm takes into account proximity-based data when determining placement within its 'local-three-pack', meaning how close you are located relative to where someone conducts their searches has a significant influence on whether you appear in these coveted spots.
The review scores from customers play a major role in determining whether a business will appear in the Local 3 Pack, as they speak to the quality of service or product provided. Consistency across various online directories, such as Yelp or Yellow Pages, is also essential.
There's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking on Google, so businesses need to focus on maintaining good reviews, keeping information updated across all directories, and providing excellent service to improve their chances of appearing in the Local 3 Pack.
Improving Your Google Local Ranking
Improving your Google local ranking is crucial for businesses that rely on local customers. You can start by creating a business listing on Google My Business, which helps you outsmart your competition and boost traffic and sales.
To rank higher in local search results, you need to optimize your Google My Business listing using all of the GMB features and improve your local SEO. This involves understanding the local SEO ranking factors, including relevance, distance, and prominence.
You can improve your local SEO by using keywords tied closely to what you offer, especially local and long-tail keywords. For example, specific phrases like "cleaning services in Savannah" signal a searcher's strong interest in finding local services. You can weave these keywords into your website's key areas, such as page titles, meta description, and headings.
Here are the three essential factors to consider when optimizing your website for local business ranking:
- Website structure, which branches out to local suburbs by using keywords
- Original content within those landing pages, including keywords, images, or other media file types
- How you link your landing pages, whether through menu links or internal links, and which keywords you use in anchor text
It's also crucial to ensure consistency when listing NAP (Name, Address & Phone number) across all digital platforms where your company appears. This can be achieved by using meta tags, such as geo.placename, geo.position, and geo.region, to provide accurate location information.
To quickly show up for local business search terms in Google, you can use Google Ads PPC Advertising. This allows you to link your Google My Business listing with your Google Ads account and take advantage of location extensions and other useful features.
Setting Up Your Google My Business Profile
To set up your Google My Business Profile, first, you need to create a listing on the GMB website. This involves filling out a checklist of items, including your business name, local store/office address, precise location on a map, business category, phone number, and website (if applicable).
To begin, go to the GMB website and start creating your listing. You can also add your business on Google Maps by searching for your business name and clicking on the "Add your business" option.
Here are the essential items to fill out when creating your GMB listing:
- Complete and correct business name
- Local store/office address
- Precise location on a map
- Business category
- Phone number and website (if applicable)
Once you complete these steps, your GMB listing goes live, and Google initiates your business's verification. They'll do this either by phone or by sending a postcard to your registered address with a code to enter into your GMB account.
After verification, you can begin optimizing your Google My Business profile by posting photos of your business, adding your business hours, and regularly sharing your business updates and fresh content.
To link back to your Google My Business Profile, you can use the Google My Business Share link option, which provides a link to your profile.
You can also add your website, social links, photos, and description to your Google Business Profile. For example, you can add a link for each of your social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.
Optimizing Your Google My Business Profile
You can edit your Google Business Profile to ensure all your business information is accurate. To make changes, access your Business Profile, then click "Edit profile" via Google Search or Google Maps, and go to "Business information." Remember to click "Save" after each modification.
You can adjust your location, opening hours, contact information, and images on your profile. Providing key information helps new customers find your business and learn more about what you offer.
To specify your service area, you can define it by cities, postal codes, or regions. This helps customers know where you're willing to head out for visits or deliveries.
You can add up to two additional phone numbers to your Business Profile, which can be either mobile or landline numbers. Just make sure they're not fax numbers.
Linking back to your Google My Business Profile is an important ranking signal for Google. You can link back to almost all parts of your listing, including photos, reviews, and the Google Map URL.
Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile is the first step to qualifying for the 3-Pack. To do this, search for your business name on Google and see if it appears in the right-hand column of the search results.
Encouraging Reviews and Engagement
Encouraging reviews and engagement is crucial for improving your Google local ranking. Google considers star ratings and reviews as a ranking signal, and more and better reviews directly translate into higher search rankings, more leads, and sales.
According to Moz's local search ranking factors, review signals significantly contribute to your local search and snack pack ranking. Having lots of reviews speaks volumes about your credibility and reputation as a business. You can encourage customers to post reviews using free tools like a review shortcut link.
To get started, you can use the following ways to get reviews for your business: Get your friends or and family members to review your businessRefer businesses to other businesses and ask them to review each otherGet your product suppliers and wholesalers to review your businessParticipate in local community organizations and ask them to review your businessProvide a link for your customers to write a review of your business
Encourage Reviews and Respond
Google makes it super easy to create and share a review link straight from its platform. To create a Google reviews link, open your Business Profile and click "Ask for reviews" on Google Search or go to "Customers" > "Reviews" > "Get more reviews" on Google Maps.
Sharing your review link is key to getting more reviews. You can share it directly with customers or through the available sharing options, such as adding it to thank-you emails or receipts.
Reviews appear right beside your Business Profile on Maps and Search, so responding to them is like Google Maps marketing. Responding to reviews shows that you value your customers' input and are attentive to their experiences.
To respond to a review, thank the reviewer for their feedback, whether it's positive or negative. Personalize your response and use the reviewer's name if available, referencing specific points they made in their review.
Addressing specific concerns raised in a review can help resolve issues and build stronger relationships with customers. Maintain professionalism in your response, regardless of the tone of the review, and encourage the reviewer to return or contact you directly for further discussion.
Having a business in the Local 3 pack on Google Maps can signal to potential customers that your services are reputable and that others have had positive experiences with your brand. This type of social proof can be incredibly impactful in alleviating any doubts someone might have about working with your company.
Get Reviews
Getting reviews for your business is crucial for its online presence. Google review count and score are factored into local search ranking, so more reviews and positive ratings will probably improve a business's local ranking.
You can get reviews from friends or family members, or even refer other businesses to review each other's businesses. This is a simple way to get started. Businesses are connected to other businesses, so it's a win-win situation.
Encourage your product suppliers and wholesalers to review your business, as they need you as a valued customer. Participating in local community organizations or sports groups can also help you get reviews. Just ask them to write a review about your business.
It's essential to gather positive reviews, especially those posted directly on Google, as they have a significant impact on search rankings. More positive feedback translates into better placement within SERPs over time.
Having a spot within the Local 3 pack on Google Maps can elevate your business's trustworthiness amongst consumers. Studies show that consumers trust online reviews as personal recommendations from friends and family members.
To get and respond to Google reviews, you should set up systems and processes to earn floods of authentic reviews. Encourage your customers to post reviews using free tools like a review shortcut link. Google considers star ratings as a ranking signal, and more and better reviews directly translate into higher search rankings, more leads and sales, and increased profitability.
Here's a checklist to consider when collecting reviews:
- Does the star rating accompany text + pictures also?
- Does the text include relevant keywords and terms in the review?
- What’s the average star rating given to the product by users?
- Are reviews posted consistently or occasionally?
- Is there a pattern being followed in your reviews? Check review sentiment.
Wait for customers to thoroughly experience your product or service before asking for a review, as there is a likelihood that they haven't experienced it yet.
Analyzing and Improving Your Google Local Ranking
To start analyzing your Google local ranking, you need to understand the three aspects that influence local SEO ranking factors: Relevance, Distance, and Prominence. These factors are crucial in determining your business's visibility on Google Maps.
Google My Business is a powerful tool that helps you create a business listing and optimize it to rank higher in local search. By creating a listing on Google My Business, you can outsmart your competition and boost traffic and sales.
To improve your Google local SEO, you must first understand the local SEO ranking factors, which include Relevance, Distance, and Prominence. These factors are essential in determining your business's visibility on Google Maps.
The Google Local 3-Pack is a coveted spot for local businesses, and to rank high in this space, you need to implement several strategies. By tracking your performance in local SEO, you can identify the specific search queries and terms that triggered your listing and optimize your listing accordingly.
To track your performance in local SEO, you can use the built-in analytics in your Google My Business account. By selecting "Insights", you can view your listing's performance and identify areas for improvement.
Here are the key performance indicators (KPIs) to track in local SEO:
By tracking these KPIs and optimizing your listing accordingly, you can improve your Google local ranking and increase your online visibility.
Common Issues and Solutions
Your business not ranking in the Google Maps Local 3 Pack could be due to various reasons, such as a lack of optimization for local search terms.
Make sure your business has a physical address and is verified on Google My Business to increase your chances of showing up in local search results.
Improperly filled out or outdated business information can also hinder your ranking, so ensure your listing is complete and up-to-date.
The reasons behind your business not ranking in the local search results, specifically within the Google Maps Local 3 Pack, could be varied, and it's essential to address these potential causes to improve your visibility.
Inaccurate or Incomplete Information
Having inaccurate or incomplete information can severely impact your business' visibility on Google Maps. This is because Google Maps local 3 pack listings showcase the top three local businesses based on users' queries, and your company's accuracy and completeness play a large role in ranking.
Any inconsistencies or inaccuracies in your business details can lead to reduced relevance for users' queries. In turn, this may result in lower rankings and, consequently, reduced visibility.
Your business details should be up-to-date and accurate to ensure you rank high on Google Maps. This includes having the correct address, phone number, and hours of operation.
Inadequate Backlink Profile
Having a strong backlink profile is crucial for local businesses wishing to rank higher within Google Maps' local 3 pack listings. Without a backlink profile, even a well-crafted website can be overlooked by search engines.
High-quality inbound links coming from authoritative websites signal credibility. This trust translates into better positions within map searches.
In today's digital age, the importance of building an adequate backlink profile cannot be overstated. Ahrefs offers valuable insights into building quality backlinks through their comprehensive guide available online.
Sources
- https://thriveagency.com/news/how-to-rank-higher-on-google-maps-in-11-easy-steps/
- https://www.dashclicks.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-local-ranking-on-google
- https://www.rankya.com/how-to/how-to-rank-in-google-local-business-results/
- https://anytimedigitalmarketing.com/2023/08/24/boost-your-business-ranking-google-maps-local-3-pack-guide/
- https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091
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