10 Steps to a Better Google Local ranking

Have you set up a Google Local ranking yet? You don’t even need a website to getting a listing, so this is a free way to raise your profile and make sure that you capture as much local search traffic as possible.

As many potential customers quite like the idea of doing business locally, a Google Local listing can be valuable for all businesses, even if you don’t use a ‘shop front’. Similarly, someone might have heard about your business and know what you offer and where you are based – but if they’ve forgotten your name, they might not be able to find you. With a Google Local listing, you should get a good listing for ‘YOUR business activity + YOUR town’.

Branch Out is always happy to help clients create a Google Local listing or you can set one up yourself. Just visit https://www.google.com/local/add/login?hl=en-GB and open an account. Follow the steps laid out to fill in details of your business, the address and your website. The description field is a good opportunity to explain what you offer customers and include the keywords which are most important to you. If it’s appropriate, you can provide information about your opening hours, the methods of payment you accept, upload photos and provide a link to a video on YouTube.

The final step is to validate your Google Local entry. You can do this by entering a PIN online, by SMS or by phone.

So now you’ve got your listing and you want a better ranking. Follow our 10 Steps to a Better Google Local Ranking and watch yourself move up the listings.

1. Google gives higher listings to businesses which are closest to the town centre. Although there is not much we can do about this, it is worth bearing in mind if you have several business locations which you could add.
2. Where possible, use your most important keywords in your business description. There used to be a loophole which allowed people to use keywords as their business name but Google is getting wise to this so it is best to use your proper business name.
3. If you are able to ask some of your existing clients or customers to leave reviews on Google Local for your business, this adds to your credibility in Google’s eyes and can improve your ranking.
4. Google always likes to see ‘independent’ endorsement of the data you provide. If it can find your correct address on several other websites, particularly niche or local directories, it will strengthen your position.
5. Similarly, if you have inbound links from other sites in the same geographic area, this supports the impression that your business is real, your website is genuine and the address you have given is correct.
6. Google Local likes to see your address (including town/city and county), phone number and your business name in the Page Title, or at least in the text, on the About us/Contact us page on your website. Include your business hours if appropriate. Remember to make sure that this text can be indexed by the search engine spiders.
7. If your site is well optimized for your keywords and your location, you will get good regular search results for local queries. So, your site should already appear in the listings for ‘YOUR business activity + YOUR town’. This in turn will support your Google Local rankings.
8. Both DMOZ and Yahoo directory listings are seen as particularly credible by Google and Google Local. If you don’t already have a listing in these places, we recommend that you get one.
9. When you set up your website, you will have registered your domain to a particular address. Google Local favours domains where the domain registrant address is either the same as or at least geographically close to the address you have added to your listing.
10. Google likes sites which receive lots of traffic. If Google Local believes that this traffic is from the same geographic area as your business, then so much the better for your ranking.

As always, we’ve tried to avoid too much technical jargon but if you have questions about any aspect of the above list or want some specific advice on ways to improve your Google Local ranking, please get in touch.

If you would like further advice on improving any of your search engine rankings or if you are looking for independent strategic advice on how to make your e-marketing fly in 2008, please call us on 01608 737653 or email me, Kate Barlow for a free, confidential and independent conversation.

Kind regards,

Kate Barlow

You may copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author are attached. The author is: Kate Barlow of Branch Out Internet Marketing, The Paddocks, Lower Nill Farm, Hook Norton, OX15 5DG, UK. Contact kate.barlow@branchout-internetmarketing.com or Tel: 01608 737653, Fax: 01608 737653.

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