If you have a local business, you may feel that your marketing efforts should also be local. However, the truth is many people today find local businesses through Google local listings.
To beat out local competition in 2020, it’s important to work on getting your website to reach the top of Google’s local listings for keywords relevant to your business and location.
Fortunately, ranking on Google locally is easier than you think. By following these tricks, you should start seeing your local business in search results for your city or region.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can start getting more business through Google.
1. Claim and Optimize Your Listing
If you haven’t already done so, the first thing you want to do to ensure Google recognizes the legitimacy of your business is to claim your Google My Business listing. Do a quick search to find your business and click the button to claim your business.
Then, follow the steps to ensure all of the information is accurate. You’ll also want to include relevant keywords in descriptions along with several high-quality photos of your business and employees.
2. Manage Customer Reviews
Another essential aspect of keeping your business ranking is managing reviews. Be sure to reply to both positive and negative reviews.
With positive reviews, a simple “thank you for your business” is usually enough. However, you’ll want to take a little more time and address the specific concerns of the reviewer.
Doing this does two things for you. First of all, it shows others that you care about your customers and want to improve your business. Secondly, it lets Google know you are active on their platform which can help you rank higher.
3. Build Local Links
Most people know the importance of building backlinks for website rankings, but don’t realize just how much it matters to a local business. However, if you want to rank in Google local listings, you need some backlinks.
One way to get local links is to partner with other local companies and exchange blog posts. Find businesses that have the same customers as you but aren’t in direct competition with you.
Another way is to participate in or sponsor local events. Community websites will often include information and links to businesses that are helping with various events. This helps you get your name out there and gives you valuable links.
4. Create Accurate Citations
The last thing you’ll want to do is have as many accurate citations online as possible. A citation is simply any information about your company found on a website.
Add your business to as many local and national directories as you can find and be sure to have your business name, phone number, address, and website all written the same way.
The more often Google sees the same information online connected to your business, the higher you’ll rank on their listings. It shows that your business is legit and popular.
Need Help Setting Up Google Local Listings?
Now you know some tips that will help your business rank in Google local listings. As you can see, it’s simple and easy to get started. Before you know it, your business will begin to grow.
Interested in professional SEO services? To start improving your website’s local rankings in Google, contact us today. One of our experts will help you take your digital marketing to the next level.
HONE Digital Marketing is a digital marketing agency based in Texas.