If you are a local business, ranking high on Google can significantly improve visits, phone calls, sign-ups, or any other desired conversion.
Higher-ranked businesses will get more exposure compared to those below them. Potential customers will typically perceive that these businesses are more credible and relevant to their search; increasing the likelihood that they will purchase from them.
Here are 5 tips to improve your local ranking on Google:
1. Enter Complete Data
Local results favor the most relevant results for each search. Businesses with complete and accurate information are easier to match with the right searches.
Make sure you keep your information up to date as your business changes.
Make sure you’ve entered complete business information in Google My Business, so users know what you do, where you are, and when they can visit. Provide information like, but not limited to, your:
Physical address
Phone number
Category
Attributes
2. Verify Your Location
Verify your business location so it’s more likely to show in local search results across Google products, like Maps and Search.
3. Keep Your Hours Accurate
Update your business hours regularly, including when you open and close, and special hours for holidays and events. Accurate hours info lets shoppers know when you’re available and gives them confidence that your business will be open when they arrive.
4. Manage & Respond To Reviews
Respond to reviews that users leave about your business. When you reply to reviews, it shows that you value your customers and their feedback. High-quality, positive reviews from your customers can improve your business visibility and increase the likelihood that a shopper will visit your location.
5. Add Photos
To showcase your services, and to tell the story of your business, add photos to your Business Profile. Accurate and appealing pictures may also show shoppers that your business offers what they’re searching for.
3 Factors To Keep In Mind
Google determines local rankings primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence. A combination of these factors helps find the best matches for searches. Keep these three factors in mind while you optimize your Google My Business listing.
Relevance
Relevance refers to how well a local Business Profile matches what someone is searching for. Add complete and detailed business information to help Google better understand your business and match your profile to relevant searches.
Distance
Distance considers how far each potential search result is from the location term used in a search. If a user doesn’t specify a location in their search, distance is calculated based on their location.
Prominence
Prominence refers to how well-known a business is. Some places are more prominent in the offline world, and search results try to reflect this in local ranking.
Prominence is also based on information that Google has about a business, from across the web, like links, articles, and directories. Google review count and review score factor into local search ranking. More reviews and positive ratings can improve your business’s local ranking. Your position in web results is also a factor, so search engine optimization (SEO) best practices apply.
Apply these tips, while keeping these factors in mind and prepare to see your local Google ranking improve and increased business!
