Customers are looking for your business now.
Want to appear higher in local search results?
Want those future customers to see your business on Google Search?
Want to know exactly which ranking factors help your business rank higher?
you can.
With Local SEO, Google uses a different ranking algorithm that takes into account different factors and produces the best results. Stay up-to-date on Google’s algorithm updates.
On April 6th, I hosted a sponsored webinar with Justin Meredith, Digital Marketing Evangelist at Birdeye, and Steve Wideman, CEO and Senior Search Strategist at Wideman Consulting Group.
They dived into the latest search algorithm updates from Google and provided strategies for using local search to your advantage to improve your search rankings.
Here is the webinar overview. Complete the form to access the full presentation.
Updates to the Google Algorithm and Search Appearance
They say the only constant in life is change, and Google likes it. Here are some recent Google updates that have impacted local businesses.
- New map and local interface for Search (December 2021).
- List updates can be done directly in Search (December 2021).
- New Google Business Profile Attributes (February 2021).
- Google News Showcase (February 2022).
[Discover How Those Algorithm Changes Impact Your Business] Access the webinar now →
It seems like the reason behind the change is that despite all their changes, Google has remained consistent forever.
Google’s goal is to provide consistent and reliable information to consumers searching online.
Tip #1: Do your research
Make sure your business information is correct and accurate. Conduct a local SEO audit.
The audit should verify the following:
1. Data Accuracy.
The phone number, address and pin on the map should be correct.
2. Optimized local landing pages.
Make sure the web pages your visitors click on are relevant to their needs and location.
Last year, Wideman’s team examined over 300 local landing pages for major brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s.
These big brand finds included some very helpful tips for local business websites.
[Learn The Optimization Tips They Discovered] Access the webinar now →
3. Relevant Citations.
Be sure to get your citations from:
- search engine.
- navigation engine.
- industry directory.
- Localized directory.
- Sites that get traffic.
4. Well-managed reputation.
Reviews are essential. If possible, ask them to leave a review and add a photo to Google Maps.
[Discover Exactly How Reviews Help Local SEO] Access the webinar now →
Tip 2: Create a Comprehensive Google Business Profile
In addition to taking advantage of all the fields available in your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), you can:
- Think more like a customer by incorporating review language into actual product or service descriptions.
- Get your best customers to ask questions in the questions and answers that appear in search results.
- Upload photos and videos related to your business.
Birdseye, April 2022[Learn The Easiest Way To Do This] Access the webinar now →
Tip 3: Establish a Robust Review Management System
The power of word of mouth cannot be underestimated in today’s times.
9 out of 10 consumers read reviews before purchasing a product.
Make it easy for your customers to leave reviews and listen to positive and negative reviews.
Birdseye, April 2022[Discover The Best Ways To Respond To Reviews] Access the webinar now →
Tip 4: Create inclusive content
It’s important to have content for every search method someone might use to find your product or service.
Don’t just think about what and how your customers are searching.
The organic side of local search is to make it appear below the map for longer tail queries.
Tip #5: Use Links and Citations
Local businesses can get links and citations by engaging their neighbors and community.
It may require some creativity and a little work here, but it’s great for PR and has rich results through event schemas.
[Discover How An Attorney Got Free PR With Links & Citations] Access the webinar now →
For offsite visibility, prioritize your list of location page tests to improve your organic ranking.
Tip #6: Increase your activity
It helps show search engines that your business is active, vibrant, and genuine, and that people are searching for you and coming to your location.
● Optimize all fields available in GBP.
● Use Google Maps on your commute.
● Take a picture.
● Uses the Google Image Recognition Algorithm.
Be active and accountable each month to improve each activity metric.
Wideman also showed you how to get a free SEO KPI tracker to help with accountability in general.
[Find Out How To Get The SEO KPI Tracker] Access the webinar now →
[Slides] Google Algorithm Updates and Local SEO: 6 Key Tips from the Experts
Here is the presentation:
Join us for our next webinar!
How to enhance your keyword research with powerful topic clustering
Join Dave Snyder, CEO and Founder of CopyPress, on how this method can help you rank higher.
image credit
Featured Image: Paulo Bobita/Search Engine Journal
