Local Search

6May By Lee WilsonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Link Building, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

4 Tips For Getting Your Story On The Local News

Building your brand via local media coverage and news websites can provide substantial benefits for your business – online and off. Google and other search engines place great value on external brand mentions and links by sources they perceive as trustworthy. This PR exposure in news and media outlets active in your local communities offers access to new audiences and fuels your sales growth potential, too. Understanding how to get a story on local news sites relevant to your business can give you a competitive advantage over your local competition. Use these four proven tips packed with the actionable tactics you’ll use to connect with and get featured in local media, building valuable links, visibility, and new business in the process. 1. Lay The Groundwork The biggest mistake companies ...

Read More

4May By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Set Holiday Hours On Your Google Business Profile

Setting holiday hours on your Google Business Page is an easy way to ensure customers never face the disappointment of finding your location closed when they expect it to be open. From a customer standpoint, it’s infuriating to look up a business in Google and see it listed as open, only to arrive there in person and learn otherwise. Customers should be able to depend on something as vital as the opening hours displayed on your Google Business Page. It’s difficult to regain that customer’s trust once it’s broken. Thankfully, Google makes it simple to keep your business hours accurate and up-to-date, even on holidays. You can literally set it and forget it. If you know your business will have modified hours for a holiday three months from now, set them today and Google will automatically ch...

Read More

29Apr By Chelsea AlvesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Is Getting Your Google Business Profile “Google Guaranteed” Worth It?

When customers are searching locally for products and services like yours, they often seek validation to ensure they’re making the right choice. This includes reading online reviews, asking for personal recommendations, or looking for more information about your business on your Google Business Profile. Google offers a way for businesses in some industries to earn consumers’ trust by becoming a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed provider. Eligible businesses advertising through Google Local Services Ads can receive the Google Screened or Google Guaranteed designation. This designation appears when local consumers search for services in their area. Professional service providers’ ads will appear on Google Search and the Local Services site, and only pay if a customer calls or messages the...

Read More

28Apr By Jeff RiddallNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

The Complete Guide For Local Businesses

When we hear the term local SEO, we often think about the strategies and tactics that local retail or B2C businesses use to optimize their online visibility and drive traffic to their physical storefront. However, there are also B2B businesses, which may or may not operate from a distinct location, e.g., a commercial realtor. These types of businesses have similar, albeit slightly different, challenges to having their customers find and engage with them via organic search. The overarching goal of a local SEO strategy for any B2B business (much like its B2C counterparts) is to establish itself as the most trusted authority for all topics related to the products and/or services within a specific geographic service area. As such, businesses must present themselves as active, trusted community...

Read More

27Apr By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

4 Top Reasons Your Google Business Profile Information Keeps Updating

For any local business that qualifies, claiming your Google Business Profile is a must-do to help your business rank higher on Google. Regularly optimizing your business profile with content such as posts, new products or services, holiday hours, photos, and other updated information about your company keeps your listing fresh and current for potential customers. But did you know that the information on your Google Business Profile could get changed at any moment? In many cases, these changes go live without you even knowing it. Some updates to your business profile could even impact your business. If your profile is changed, you should receive an email letting you know of any changes or suggestions. But that’s not always the case. That’s why it’s crucial that you keep an eye on your busin...

Read More

26Apr By Laura VoicuNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Improve Rankings With This Off-Page SEO Checklist For Restaurants

In 2022, having an online presence for your restaurant business is essential. When looking for new places to eat, people turn to search for thousands of results at their fingertips – and the competition is fierce. If you want locals to find your restaurant while searching for places to eat in the area, you need to work on your online presence and appear prominently in those search results. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the best and most affordable ways to distinguish your restaurant online. While on-page SEO is all about optimizing your website, off-page SEO focuses on spreading your reach online. Below, you will find an off-page SEO checklist for restaurants featuring all the elements you need to keep track of regularly. You will learn about Google My Business, TripAdvisor, Y...

Read More

22Apr By ReviewIncNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Sponsored Posts

3 Huge Reasons Why Negative Reviews Help SEO

This post was sponsored by ReviewInc, opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor’s own. You get that notification of a new review in your inbox. Next, you hold your breath and recite a short prayer before opening the email. You’re bracing yourself for a negative review. Business owners like you regularly experience this dread; you know a picture can say a thousand words – so can a review (even with a character limit). We know consumers rely heavily on reviews for their business decisions. Therefore, your first thought may be to put your best foot forward and avoid any negativity like the plague. However, sometimes bad is good. Should I Remove Negative Reviews? You may be surprised, but no, do not delete negative reviews. It seems counterintuitive, but trust us – negative reviews ha...

Read More

21Apr By Bill HartzerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

50+ Business-Building Local SEO Tactics For SMBs

Do you have a local small to medium-sized business (SMB)? If so, you know just how difficult it is to get found and stand out in increasingly competitive search results. Local SEO strategies must adapt to new features and algorithm updates by the top search engines that affect local search results. Most local SEO tactics fall into the following three categories. Optimizing local listings and citations. Optimizing your website and its content. Optimizing and working on incoming links. In this column, you’ll find over 50 specific things you can do right now to help improve your visibility in local search results, divided into those categories above. Optimizing Local Listings & Citations Let’s start with your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) data. In order to get listed and ranked in...

Read More

15Apr By Bill HartzerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

50+ Business-Building Local SEO Tactics For SMBs

Do you have a local small to medium-sized business (SMB)? If so, you know just how difficult it is to get found and stand out in increasingly competitive search results. Local SEO strategies must adapt to new features and algorithm updates by the top search engines that affect local search results. Most local SEO tactics fall into the following three categories. Optimizing local listings and citations. Optimizing your website and its content. Optimizing and working on incoming links. In this column, you’ll find over 50 specific things you can do right now to help improve your visibility in local search results, divided into those categories above. Optimizing Local Listings & Citations Let’s start with your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) data. In order to get listed and ranked in...

Read More

14Apr By Brooke OsmundsonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

9 Local SEO Tips From Top Experts

Earlier this month, marketers from around the world joined the latest LocalU virtual conference, put on by Local University. The symposium topics were filled with local marketing tips from top experts on everything from handling fake reviews, to SEO forecasting, and more. Attendees engaged in lively discussions on Twitter throughout each session, highlighting the speakers’ most helpful and tangible tips. Below are the top takeaways from each speaker and their respective session. 1. Write For Customers First and Google Second Charli Hunt, ProofContent Image credit: LocalU.org “If you just write content for Google’s algorithm (and not users first), you will be knocked off your top rankings perch.” Include local identifiers based on what customers are already searching for. Whether that’s nei...

Read More

10Apr By Brian HarnishNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Analyzing Your Local Organic Search Competition

A local organic competition analysis is an essential early step in defining your strategy as it helps you understand what you’re up against in organic search results. From this competition analysis, you can move forward knowing that your information will help you achieve the results you’re looking for. By looking at content, it is possible to figure out: What topics the competition is writing about. How many words they’re writing on average. The frequency of their content updates. Going through this process helps you understand what they are doing so you can adapt your content strategy and beat theirs accordingly. By looking at links, it is possible to figure out things like: How many links the competition is getting. What kind of links. Where they’re getting their links from. How often th...

Read More

9Apr By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Webinar

6 Top Tips From Experts

You have customers searching for you right now. How would you like to appear at the top of local search results? Want your business to show up in Google searches for potential customers? Wouldn’t it be great if you knew how to rank your business better? You can. With local SEO, Google uses a separate ranking algorithm that considers various factors to produce the best results – and we have the latest information on Google’s algorithm updates. Register for this webinar and find out what Google looks for when ranking a business. You’ll learn: The latest updates to the Google local search algorithm. How local SEO impacts businesses. Tips and best practices for local companies to utilize local SEO. Most local businesses may think SEO is difficult, but focusing on a targeted local market can he...

Read More

8Apr By Brian FrederickNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

New Google Attribute Helps Businesses Promote Sustainability

Google now allows businesses to display their commitment to environmentalism in their Google Business Profile. This helps companies capitalize on growing eco-consciousness among consumers in the wake of concerns about climate change and sustainability. Increasing Number Of Customers Value Eco-Consciousness In a survey conducted by Google, 82% of consumers reported sustainability as a top priority when making purchasing decisions. Reflecting this, it has seen “recycling” as one of its most popular searches, with an average popularity score of 81 out of 100. Queries such as “climate change,” “sustainability,” and “renewable energy” have all also seen significant interest. A 2021 report by Ipsos, the world’s third largest research company, found 68% of people believe that if businesses do no...

Read More

7Apr By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Where & How To Get The Right Reviews For Your Business

Customer reviews can help sell your product or service more effectively than any sales copy. Reading first-hand thoughts and opinions from other people is a crucial part of a customer’s journey. It can make the difference between converting a customer or losing them to a competitor. To that end, acquiring reviews needs to be treated as a priority – not an afterthought. How often do you buy big-ticket items, or professional services, without reading reviews first? If the answer is “never” or “rarely,” you’re among the majority of today’s consumers who follow the same path to purchase. Online reviews are so important to the success of your business that they should be a core component of your marketing strategy, right up there with PR and advertising. But where should you get started if you ...

Read More

5Apr By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Where & How To Get The Right Reviews For Your Business

Customer reviews can help sell your product or service more effectively than any sales copy. Reading first-hand thoughts and opinions from other people is a crucial part of a customer’s journey. It can make the difference between converting a customer or losing them to a competitor. To that end, acquiring reviews needs to be treated as a priority – not an afterthought. How often do you buy big-ticket items, or professional services, without reading reviews first? If the answer is “never” or “rarely,” you’re among the majority of today’s consumers who follow the same path to purchase. Online reviews are so important to the success of your business that they should be a core component of your marketing strategy, right up there with PR and advertising. But where should you get started if you ...

Read More

4Apr By John McAlpinNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What Is A Local Link & How To Find More Local Link Opportunities

Link building is a critical piece of any local SEO strategy and whether you’re a brick-and-mortar business or service area business, link building can help improve your rankings. Finding high-quality and relevant links for local SEO is also going to be one of your greatest challenges. So here, you’ll find all kinds of useful tips to help you identify prospects, put tools to work for you, and find greater success in your link building outreach tactics. What Is A Local Link? The traditional thought process when we think about link building is that we want highly authoritative domains to link back to our websites – and we want as many of them as possible. However, earning backlinks for smaller organizations can be incredibly challenging, especially if nobody has heard of you. If you’re taske...

Read More

3Apr By Sam HollingsworthNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Completely Optimize Your GMB Listing

Google Business Profile is a free feature from Google that helps business owners manage their online presence across the search engine and its growing portfolio of utilities, including Google Maps. Seasoned SEO professionals use Google Business Profiles to leverage a location-based strategy. Creating a Google Business Profile is the first step to local search success. And for good reason. GBP offers the greatest impact for brands seeking local exposure. A feature like Google’s Local Search emphasizes the need for a GBP for both new and established businesses. Navigate to:Google Business Profiles: The BasicsStarting Your Google Business ProfileVerifying Your Google Business ProfilePublishing Your Google Business ProfilePhotos & Videos For Your Google Business ProfilesMonitoring Your Goo...

Read More

2Apr By Adam ProehlNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

103 Small Business Marketing Ideas To Help You Grow

As a small business owner, you’re probably already busy and have heard many marketing ideas that sound impossible (or, at least, very difficult) to implement. It can be challenging to come up with proven ways to improve your online presence, build your email list, engage prospective customers in social, and drive measurable revenue. In this column, you’ll find 103 small business marketing ideas designed to help you grow your business either through gaining new customers or retaining existing ones. And you can actually execute these ideas on your own! Keep reading for tactics you can use in your small business to create better and more content, grow your social presence, acquire and retain customers, and more. Creating Content If you’ve been paying attention, you know you need content. It ...

Read More

1Apr By Corey MorrisNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

A Complete Guide To On & Off Page Local SEO Content

When you think about improving your local SEO, do you think about content? Maybe not. I’ll admit, it’s not always the first thing that comes to my mind. But here’s the thing – content directly affects local SEO, and overlooking it is a huge mistake. Yes, we might have limited text fields and places where we can input content. Hear me out, though. There’s more to it than you might think. Key Differences In Local & Organic SEO Content Strategies You may know about the content Google likes to see on a website and how to optimize it to show up higher on search engine result pages. But what about local content? How is that different? Here’s the thing, content strategies for local SEO and broader organic SEO aren’t actually that different. No matter what, good informative content should alw...

Read More

30Mar By Kevin RoweNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Top 25 Local Search Ranking Signals You Need to Know

Getting a local business to rank is challenging for three reasons: An uptick in mobile uses because more people are using their phones to find businesses near them. A surge of businesses recognizing the value of local SEO are making results more competitive. Google Local Pack, which was once the top seven, is now just the top three. So, what does it take to appear at the top of these competitive local results, to get you in front of the people searching for products and services like yours? Here, you’ll learn about 25 specific local ranking signals you need to understand and optimize for in order to perform as well as possible in local search. First, let’s take a look at how these changes with Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack are a game-changer for businesses. Recent Map Pack Changes You Need...

Read More

29Mar By John McAlpinNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What Is A Local Link & How To Find More Local Link Opportunities

Link building is a critical piece of any local SEO strategy and whether you’re a brick-and-mortar business or service area business, link building can help improve your rankings. Finding high-quality and relevant links for local SEO is also going to be one of your greatest challenges. So here, you’ll find all kinds of useful tips to help you identify prospects, put tools to work for you, and find greater success in your link building outreach tactics. What Is A Local Link? The traditional thought process when we think about link building is that we want highly authoritative domains to link back to our websites – and we want as many of them as possible. However, earning backlinks for smaller organizations can be incredibly challenging, especially if nobody has heard of you. If you’re taske...

Read More

28Mar By Ben FisherNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

A Guide To Local SEO For Large Enterprises & Franchises

Local SEO is a pretty complex beast. There are many moving parts that are just not part of an organic enterprise strategy. And, when it comes to franchises and Local SEO, it can get even more complex as the “who is in charge of local SEO” answer is vague at best. In this article, we will discuss the challenges enterprises/franchises have when it comes to local SEO. First, let’s talk about this: Why do enterprises tend to view local SEO as a grocery checklist? In short, local SEO fails when businesses lack a well-structured plan. Common misconceptions include, “If I complete A, B, and C, then my local presence will improve,” or “If we’re doing traditional SEO, local will fall into place.” Incorrect! In order for local SEO to succeed, businesses must define what success looks like and develo...

Read More

26Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

Google Removed 7 Million Fake Business Profiles In 2021

In a report from Google about how it keeps Maps information reliable, the search company reveals it removed seven million fake business profiles in 2021. Additionally, Google prevented tens of millions of fake business profiles from being created, and disabled over a million user accounts belonging to “bad actors.” Verifying the legitimacy of information in Google Business Profiles and Google Maps is increasingly challenging, as the number of contributions continues to rise year over year. Google now receives 20 million contributions every day from people using Maps, such as updated business hours, contact information, photos, and reviews. Here are the key highlights from Google’s report on what goes into keeping Maps & Business Profile information accurate. How Google Keeps Local Bus...

Read More

25Mar By Sam HollingsworthNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Completely Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is a free feature from Google that helps business owners manage their online presence across the search engine and its growing portfolio of utilities, including Google Maps. Seasoned SEO professionals use Google Business Profiles to leverage a location-based strategy. Creating a Google Business Profile is the first step to local search success. And for good reason. GBP offers the greatest impact for brands seeking local exposure. A feature like Google’s Local Search emphasizes the need for a GBP for both new and established businesses. Navigate to:Google Business Profiles: The BasicsStarting Your Google Business ProfileVerifying Your Google Business ProfilePublishing Your Google Business ProfilePhotos & Videos For Your Google Business ProfilesMonitoring Your Goo...

Read More

24Mar By Kristopher JonesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

4 Quick Tips To Boost Your Google Business Profile Visibility

Every business out there wants to attract more online visibility – especially on Google. How can you get in front of just the right people in local search listings and the Map Pack? Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing puts your local business in the best position to get found and convert motivated searchers to paying customers. Here are a few tips to get you some quick wins without breaking the bank. 1. Encourage Reviews Reviews are one of the best ways to grow your GBP. They cost nothing but do much to raise your business’s profile to organic searchers. Think about how you might go about weeding through a large selection of local general contractors if you have never employed one before. You have no idea if the claims made on a contractor’s website are accurate since yo...

Read More

23Mar By Dan TaylorNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Why NAP & User Experience Are Crucial To Local SEO

NAP consistency is an important part of Google’s local search and Local Pack algorithms, which means that building citations with a consistent NAP on your Google Business Profile listing and other online directories and sites can influence your local rankings. However, having a consistent NAP is also important to the user journey, as online directories and social bookmarking sites aren’t just used by Google – they’re used by humans, too. Maintaining a high level of consistency and accuracy reduces the risk of mistakes being made by search engines mechanically processing the data. It also reduces the risk of user friction should a potential customer trying to contact your business come across an incorrect phone number, store hours, or email address. And, if Google comes across five differen...

Read More

22Mar By Anna CroweNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

9 Types Of Content That Will Help Your Local SEO

I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit searching for the best Mexican food, thumbing through Instagram posts, and picking the brain of local bloggers. In pursuit of my Pride Rock moment holding the king of tacos, I always return to Google. When I’m perusing through Google, I’m served Google Business Profile, Google Map, and local review information. Sadly, local websites are pushed down further and further in the local SERPs. In 2020, more than 65% of all Google searches resulted in the user getting the information they needed from the search results page. That number grew from 50% in 2019. Your website plays second fiddle to Google Business Profile and other Google search result features now. Back in the day, ranking for local SEO used to be pretty straightforward. You’d add your NAP ...

Read More

21Mar By Anna CroweNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

9 Types Of Content That Will Help Your Local SEO

I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit searching for the best Mexican food, thumbing through Instagram posts, and picking the brain of local bloggers. In pursuit of my Pride Rock moment holding the king of tacos, I always return to Google. When I’m perusing through Google, I’m served Google Business Profile, Google Map, and local review information. Sadly, local websites are pushed down further and further in the local SERPs. In 2020, more than 65% of all Google searches resulted in the user getting the information they needed from the search results page. That number grew from 50% in 2019. Your website plays second fiddle to Google Business Profile and other Google search result features now. Back in the day, ranking for local SEO used to be pretty straightforward. You’d add your NAP ...

Read More

19Mar By Ben FisherNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

A Guide To Local SEO For Large Enterprises & Franchises

Local SEO is a pretty complex beast. There are many moving parts that are just not part of an organic enterprise strategy. And, when it comes to franchises and Local SEO, it can get even more complex as the “who is in charge of local SEO” answer is vague at best. In this article, we will discuss the challenges enterprises/franchises have when it comes to local SEO. First, let’s talk about this: Why do enterprises tend to view local SEO as a grocery checklist? In short, local SEO fails when businesses lack a well-structured plan. Common misconceptions include, “If I complete A, B, and C, then my local presence will improve,” or “If we’re doing traditional SEO, local will fall into place.” Incorrect! In order for local SEO to succeed, businesses must define what success looks like and develo...

Read More

18Mar By Brian HarnishNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Local SEO For Beginners: Getting Started

One of the first questions a lot of businesses have about local SEO is: Do I really need it? And I get it. You’re busy – your time, budget, and energy are precious resources. Do you really need another thing to keep up with? If you want to attract in-store traffic, online or phone orders, appointment bookings, clinic visits, or other business from local consumers, the answer is a definitive YES! Who Benefits From Local SEO And Why? All types of businesses that interact with and service customers in a specific region can benefit from local SEO. This includes retail stores, service businesses, restaurants and hotels, hospitals, banks, construction companies, and more. Here are a few examples. Lawyers And Law Firms One of the biggest benefits of local SEO for these clients is that Google sho...

Read More

17Mar By Kristopher JonesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

4 Quick Tips To Boost Your Google Business Profile Visibility

Every business out there wants to attract more online visibility – especially on Google. How can you get in front of just the right people in local search listings and the Map Pack? Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing puts your local business in the best position to get found and convert motivated searchers to paying customers. Here are a few tips to get you some quick wins without breaking the bank. 1. Encourage Reviews Reviews are one of the best ways to grow your GBP. They cost nothing but do much to raise your business’s profile to organic searchers. Think about how you might go about weeding through a large selection of local general contractors if you have never employed one before. You have no idea if the claims made on a contractor’s website are accurate since yo...

Read More

15Mar By Maddy OsmanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Tools

14 Essential Local SEO & Listing Management Tools

Whether you operate locally or globally, a strong local SEO presence is key to driving more customers to your store, especially when your business has physical locations. It may seem strange for brick-and-mortar stores to focus on developing their online presence until you realize that the majority of customers use the internet to learn about a company. For instance, at the height of the pandemic in March 2020, more than 50% of shoppers searched online for open or closed stores. Local SEO is now part of the “new normal.” The good news is, there are local SEO tools you can use to help make keeping your business relevant and improving its visibility in organic and Map Pack results a lot more efficient. Partner these with local listing management tools, and you’ll be ahead of the competition....

Read More

14Mar By Miranda MillerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What Is Local SEO & Why Local Search Matters

Local search is an integral part of any SEO strategy targeting customers in a specific region, city, or neighborhood. Simply put, local SEO is where you focus to improve your rankings and visibility in local search results such as Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack. Organic SEO is how you improve webpage rankings in organic search. How your website ranks in those organic results can positively influence your Local Pack rankings, as well. Organic listings are another great opportunity for your local business to appear in front of motivated searchers when Google determines that the query has local intent. So, although local and organic SEO are interconnected in these ways, each requires a unique strategy with different optimization tactics. Let’s start at the beginning – what is local SEO and why ...

Read More

10Mar By Maddy OsmanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Tools

14 Essential Local SEO & Listing Management Tools

Whether you operate locally or globally, a strong local SEO presence is key to driving more customers to your store, especially when your business has physical locations. It may seem strange for brick-and-mortar stores to focus on developing their online presence until you realize that the majority of customers use the internet to learn about a company. For instance, at the height of the pandemic in March 2020, more than 50% of shoppers searched online for open or closed stores. Local SEO is now part of the “new normal.” The good news is, there are local SEO tools you can use to help make keeping your business relevant and improving its visibility in organic and Map Pack results a lot more efficient. Partner these with local listing management tools, and you’ll be ahead of the competition....

Read More

8Mar By Miranda MillerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What Is Local SEO & Why Local Search Matters

Local search is an integral part of any SEO strategy targeting customers in a specific region, city, or neighborhood. Simply put, local SEO is where you focus to improve your rankings and visibility in local search results such as Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack. Organic SEO is how you improve webpage rankings in organic search. How your website ranks in those organic results can positively influence your Local Pack rankings, as well. Organic listings are another great opportunity for your local business to appear in front of motivated searchers when Google determines that the query has local intent. So, although local and organic SEO are interconnected in these ways, each requires a unique strategy with different optimization tactics. Let’s start at the beginning – what is local SEO and why ...

Read More

2Mar By Kristal AudainNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Do They Help Or Hurt?

Local SEO can be a winner for so many types of businesses. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar or a service-based business, you know that many of your potential customers will begin their journey with search. And if you want their business, you have to show up. To get started, you’ll (hopefully) run a local SEO audit on your site which will help you create your local strategy. This will be your roadmap to ensure that you have checked all the boxes and are well on your way to attracting those customers near you. During this process, one of the things you may realize is that there are specific content types targeted to increase your visibility to those users looking for your product or service in their area. This also means to truly show up in the right place at the right time, you will need...

Read More

1Mar By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Local SEO Guide For Ecommerce & Online Ordering

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to order online has become an essential feature for every webpage and business listing. Pre-pandemic, the primary goal of local search engine optimization (SEO) was to drive visibility and foot traffic to a location. Now businesses are focused on providing a seamless omnichannel experience to allow the customer to order online, whether it is directly within the listing or on an individual location page. This also allows customers to choose how they want to receive their product with delivery or pickup options that best fit their needs. With this shift, the strategy on how to maximize a brand’s online ordering experience has changed. In this post, we will share our local SEO guide for ecommerce and online ordering to promote more conversi...

Read More

26Feb By Adam HeitzmanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

7 Local SEO Tips For Franchises & Their Locations

Franchises, like all local businesses, require local SEO to rank in the search engines and reach new potential customers. That includes SEO best practices such as optimizing the websites of individual franchise locations and creating business listings in national and local directories. However, SEO for franchises differs from regular local SEO in several ways. Read on to learn more about how to rank franchises in Google and other search engines. The Importance Of Franchise SEO Like all local businesses, franchises can use search engine optimization to get noticed by potential customers. From creating Google Business Profile listings to writing blog posts that target relevant keywords, using the right franchise SEO strategies will help you increase brand awareness and boost your sales. Org...

Read More

22Feb By Alexandra TachalovaNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, social media

Social Media Marketing Is Essential For Local Businesses. Here’s Why.

Statista reports that the number of Facebook users in the U.S. (as of July 2021) has reached a whopping 302 million, and this number will keep growing exponentially in the foreseeable future. Combine this with the fact that the overall U.S. population is around 334 million, and you can derive that virtually two in three U.S. citizens are actively using Facebook. This social media platform and others like it can help you substantially grow your local business… if you do it right. So how exactly can your business and specifically its local search presence benefit from being present on social media channels? Before you decide whether you’re ready to dive into the world of social media marketing, let’s dive a bit deeper into why you should. Why Local Businesses Should Invest Time & Money ...

Read More

19Feb By Jeff RiddallNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Do A Complete Local SEO Audit: 10-Point Checklist

At its core, SEO is a multi-faceted keyword, content, and competitive analysis exercise. Local SEO, by extension, includes several specific tasks geared to establishing the relevance and authority of a business within a targeted geographic area. Even before you can convince a local consumer your search result is the best answer, you must it prove to the search engines and earn a high enough ranking to get in the running. Search engines like Google reference many different data points to determine who gets top billing in organic search engine results, featured snippets, maps, local packs, image, video, or other SERP features. How can you identify and prioritize optimizations with the greatest potential to deliver converting traffic to your website and your door? In this column, we’ll walk t...

Read More

18Feb By Lee WilsonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

What To Expect Of Your Agency

Effective location-based SEO (local SEO) can have a substantial impact on your digital marketing success comparable to any other core marketing. For a business that has a physical location, or many company premises to optimize for, the value of dominating your local online space cannot be overstated. The same can be said for companies functioning and servicing within specific geographic areas that are core for company revenue and related success parameters. There are many misconceptions about local SEO; for example, local SEO is only for small businesses, or that local SEO restricts total visibility online. It’s important that, when looking to outsource your local SEO, you ensure your expectations of an agency and the deliverables you receive match your local SEO aspirations. I hope this c...

Read More

16Feb By Corey MorrisNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

One Month With $3,000 In SEO Budget For A Local Business

There are few things more frustrating for a marketer who specializes in SEO than a client or employer who wants instant results on a tight budget. After all, SEO is a long-term game. It requires patience and strategy. Nonetheless, this scenario happens all the time. So, as marketers, we have to know how to adapt and produce good results quickly and on a small budget, especially if the client or our boss is only giving us one shot to prove our worth. Achieving good – no, great SEO – is certainly doable in a short period of time. I’ve done it. My team has done it. The key is in knowing which SEO tasks to prioritize. To illustrate my point, I want to introduce you to my favorite hypothetical client, Voltage: The Salon. This salon wants to market to the Millennial and Gen Z population by provi...

Read More

12Feb By Brock CooperNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Cautions Businesses About Anti-Tech Legislation

With access to millions of emails and business profiles, Google’s using its vast resources to inform businesses about tech legislation via email and numerous websites. People with Google Business Profiles, or who use other Google properties, may have noticed an email warning them of upcoming legislation that could impact their businesses. In addition to emails, Google has written blogs and set up websites with the goal of educating people about the potential consequences of these bills. Anti-tech bills, such as the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, work to keep companies like Google from using their online platforms for discriminatory behavior. Google and other major tech companies are rallying to torpedo the recent bill. Grassroots Efforts by Google According to BillHartzer.com,...

Read More

11Feb By Mindy WeinsteinNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

11 Ways To Improve Rankings

How would you rate your small business SEO performance, and what should you focus on next for greater success? SEO is the process of optimizing your site to rank higher in search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. Your goal is to get in front of the searchers who could become your customers. It’s important that your business appears in different types of search results, too – Google Maps, organic, Featured Snippets, images and videos, and more – in order to maximize your visibility. Small business SEO is uniquely challenging in that you probably don’t have a dedicated SEO team or a lot of time to stay up to date on all the latest developments in search. You’re competing not only against other small businesses but also publishers, big brands, and all kinds of other informational sour...

Read More

8Feb By Miranda MillerNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Local SEO Trends, Tips & New Technologies: Q&A With Joy Hawkins

We’re just coming off the back of a year in which the continuing pandemic resulted in budget cuts, strategy issues, and a lack of resources to challenged SEO professionals at every level. Many are focused more on being prepared to pivot than having a plan set in stone for the year ahead. This is particularly important in local search, where consumer behaviors change quickly and Google updates can have swift, wide-ranging impacts. What trends and technologies should you have on your radar to inform a more agile, adaptive local SEO strategy going forward? Joy Hawkins is the owner and founder of local SEO agency Sterling Sky. She’s a Google Business Profile Product Expert, a well-known and respected industry writer and speaker, and a faculty member at Local U. In this Q&A-style interview,...

Read More

5Feb By Mindy WeinsteinNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

11 Ways To Improve Rankings

How would you rate your small business SEO performance, and what should you focus on next for greater success? SEO is the process of optimizing your site to rank higher in search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. Your goal is to get in front of the searchers who could become your customers. It’s important that your business appears in different types of search results, too – Google Maps, organic, Featured Snippets, images and videos, and more – in order to maximize your visibility. Small business SEO is uniquely challenging in that you probably don’t have a dedicated SEO team or a lot of time to stay up to date on all the latest developments in search. You’re competing not only against other small businesses but also publishers, big brands, and all kinds of other informational sour...

Read More

4Feb By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

The Complete Guide To Google Business Profile Reviews

If you’re like most people, you prefer to work with businesses you trust. That’s why we often turn to our family and friends to ask for referrals when looking for a particular business, product, or service. And if we can’t find a referral from a person we trust, we frequently turn to online reviews as the next best thing. Online reviews have become an integral part of the buyer’s journey, so much so that 77% of consumers now say they ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ read online reviews when browsing for local businesses. And the pricier or riskier the product or service, the more people pay attention to the reviews. Google Business Profile Reviews Are Front And Center Yes, there are plenty of sites with reviews including Yelp, Facebook, Better Business Bureau, and many more. But because most peopl...

Read More

2Feb By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

How Google Maps Reviews Are Moderated

Google published an explainer that offers insights into how Google handles reviews left for local businesses on Google Maps. The article outlines the multiple steps and actions Google takes that enables it to review and publish user generated reviews in a matter of seconds. Google shared five steps it takes to ensure that Google Maps reviews are useful and authentic. Step 1: Strict Content Policies The backbone of Google’s approach to moderating reviews left on Google Maps is a well defined content policy. Every website that accepts user generated content must have a well-defined policy describing what is acceptable. This helps users understand the limits and also informs the moderators on when to step in. According to Google: “We’ve created strict content policies to make sure reviews ar...

Read More

25Jan By Kristal AudainNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Key On-Page Optimizations For Local SEO

When most people think of local SEO, they tend to default to their Google Business Profile, local citations, and backlinks. When trying to capture those “near me” results, these are definitely beneficial. However on-page optimization also plays a significant factor in the signals that are sent to the search engines to influence your local rankings. On-page SEO helps you rank higher in organic results and in MapPack results, as well. Here are five on-page optimization tips to help boost your local visibility in search. 1. Make Sure Your NAP Is Consistent NAP is an acronym for Name, Address, and Phone Number. These three simple pieces of information can make or break your local SEO strategy. Make sure you have these bits of information displayed prominently on your site. A footer is a great...

Read More

21Jan By Paul SchmidtNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

How Construction Companies Rank In Search

SEO in the homebuilding industry requires a mix of local, on-page, off-page, and technical organic search skills to maximize your ranking potential.The right balance of these skills and tactics for your organization depends on your:Targeting (regional vs. national).Business type (custom vs. tract builders).Availability of resources to get the work done.And growth goals.While the above factors will help you personalize and tailor your SEO strategy to your unique needs, you need a solid foundation to build from (see what I did there?).Here are four areas marketers in the homebuilding space should be well aware of to help your residential construction company succeed in search.1. Required On-Site Content Areas For HomebuildersYour site is going to have sections devoted to prospects and custom...

Read More

21Jan By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Local SEO Best Practices For Enterprise Restaurant Brands

With endless options to choose from and the potential to eat three meals a day, the restaurant industry can be an extremely competitive category for local search.Plus, more restaurant locations are continually opening and new concept types continue to pop up.Maintaining a strong local search presence becomes more difficult for enterprise restaurant brands who are looking to do it at a major scale, sometimes with several thousand locations.Many restaurant chains are franchisee-operated, which means the brand doesn’t own or operate their locations but instead provides support to the owner-operators.This adds another layer of complexity being able to scale a brand’s local search marketing efforts since corporate is not fully in control.Even though there are many intricacies when running an en...

Read More

19Jan By Brooke OsmundsonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

How To Get Free Hotel Booking Links In Google

A new tutorial on the Google Ads YouTube channel goes over easy, step-by-step instructions for setting up free hotel booking links.This video can help Google Ads users learn how to take advantage of a feature the company launched within the past year.Google announced free booking links for hotels in March 2021, expanding opportunities for small boutiques to large chains across the country.These listings provide free traffic directly to your site and provide live updates and availability. With the additions to this link type, free booking links can be used in conjunction with hotel ads to maximize exposure.What Are Free Booking Links?Free booking links currently show on Google when a user searches hotel prices and availability and looks at the details of a particular hotel.A key benefit of ...

Read More

17Jan By Miranda MillerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Are Local Citations (NAP) A Google Ranking Factor?

In local SEO, a citation is a mention of key business information – your name, address, and phone number (NAP) – anywhere else on the web.Local citations might appear in directories, on social networking or review sites, in apps, and on all kinds of other websites.Clearly, these are an important part of a searcher’s experience; NAP info is how a local consumer will find their way to your store or give you a call.But do citations help you rank higher in Google Search results?The Claim: Local Citations As A Ranking FactorSome citations allow only for the location’s name, address, and phone number.However, you may be able to add a website link, business description, photos, and more, depending on the directory or platform.The idea here is that each of these optimizations will help you rank hi...

Read More

14Jan By Kristopher JonesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

What Google’s Enhanced Autocomplete Box Means For SEO

Sometime in December, SEO experts started noticing that Google was low-key testing out a new feature inside its search box.It’s an expanded version of the box that we’re calling the enhanced autocomplete box.Over in the box’s right column, Google pulls the top three People also ask questions, and a People also search for section presenting numerous related terms and entities.While there’s a wealth of information out there, most news outlets and blogs just rehash what the box is and how they accessed it.But this isn’t the fault of those publishers.That’s all the intelligence there is on that right now, since this is clearly just a beta test that Google isn’t ready to comment on just yet.At the same time, the information that the new autocomplete feature presents is evident to industry exper...

Read More

11Jan By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How To Create A Winning Local SEO Content Strategy

Local SEO has historically been seen as the art of directory optimization, Google Business Profiles, and locally-run ads.And while these methods are effective in getting you found in local search, they are just the tip of the iceberg of a successful local SEO strategy.Content plays a bigger role in local SEO than you might think. Whether it’s optimizing your web pages for local terms or posting on local business blogs, content marketing can and should be part of your local SEO approach.Here’s how to leverage content for your local SEO strategy and drive more visitors to your local business.Localize Your Web ContentThe first step in your local SEO content strategy should be to optimize your web pages for the local terms potential customers are searching for most. This requires keyword resea...

Read More

7Jan By Jeff RiddallNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How Google Reviews Impact Map Pack & Organic Search Rankings

There is little doubt there are local SEO and general business benefits to earning and encouraging customers to leave keyword-rich reviews. In many cases, customers will leave reviews whether you ask them to or not.Even negative reviews can have a positive effect if they are resolved promptly and in a positive way. Perhaps the worst thing a business can do is not respond to a review to show the customer you are listening.And in addition to the impact they have on conversion, reviews are a local ranking factor that can either bolster or hinder your rankings, depending on a number of factors.Let’s learn more about how local reviews impact your Map Pack and local organic search rankings.The Benefits Of Customer ReviewsCustomer reviews are a powerful indicator of the standing a local business ...

Read More

5Jan By Loren BakerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEJ Show, SEO

New Google Local & Google Maps Features For Marketing

The 2022 key to local business success: Be the first to use Google’s newest marketing features in your area.Get more traffic in your door, get your business noticed faster, and outrank your competition.Amanda Jordan, Director of Digital Strategy for RicketyRoo Inc., will join me on the Search Engine Journal Show Friday, January 7, at 3 pm ET to discuss the new Google Local and Google Maps features and how to incorporate them into your local SEO strategy.Amanda Jordan, Director of Digital Strategy for RicketyRoo Inc. On The SEJ ShowAmanda has extensive experience designing campaigns, including web development and SEO, and is very talented and creative.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowHaving started her SEO career in 2011, Amanda specializes in local SEO for legal and enterprise companies ...

Read More

10Dec By Ben FisherNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

7 New & Ongoing Google Business Profile (GMB) Issues, December 2021

This year has been a wild ride when it comes to Google My Business (GMB) – erm, I mean Google Business Profile (GBP).The most notable change in 2021 was its rebranding and the full rollout of the capability that enables marketers to manage business profiles via Search and Maps.For a time, Google Business Profile support was massively backed up with requests and the backlog took a few months to clear out.And still, there are several ongoing issues. It can be frustrating when things are not working the way they should and in some cases, it makes no sense as to why the issue exists or has not been resolved.But have faith – Google’s support and engineering teams are constantly working on many bugs, new features, and more. They do try to stay on top of issues that are brought up in the GBP comm...

Read More

3Dec By Angie NikoleychukNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

7 Local SEO Updates From 2021 That Will Impact Your Planning

It’s been a fast-paced year with plenty of developments in digital marketing, and local SEO was no exception.As consumers’ informational needs have grown and local markets have become more competitive, search engines have adapted to meet these needs.Businesses, local SEO professionals, and their agencies have new tools, more data – and easier access to both.And consumers? They’re gaining access to more of the information they care about through an increasingly rich, engaging, and seamless local search experience.Google And Changing Consumer Buying Habits Disrupted Local SearchThis year, many of our top local search updates are from Google, but that shouldn’t be a surprise.Google quickly responded to changing consumer buying habits as a result of the pandemic and remains the dominant force ...

Read More

1Dec By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Webinar

Trends You’ll Need In 2022 [Webinar]

Are you reaching all of your customers and prospects?How can you finally cut through the noise and get their full attention?Leverage SMS marketing – a method that has a 98% open rate.Mobile devices make it easy to reach customers. Today’s customers expect businesses to provide a better experience and to interact with them differently on mobile.Discover how important SMS marketing has become for local businesses and how to make it work effectively by building a proper opt-in and nurturing strategy for success.Join our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, Dec 8 at 2 p.m. ET for insights into how consumers feel about texting local businesses based on a study of more than 1,000 consumers.Join Matt Boyce, Marketing Director, and Austin Miller, Partner Marketing Manager at Podium, for a discussion on ...

Read More

30Nov By Chuck PriceNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Learn To Master Video For Google Business Profiles

Watching and sharing videos just might be the world’s favorite pastime. In fact, it’s a daily event for countless people of all ages.A video that goes viral can acquire millions of views by sharing through a wide variety of social media platforms, ranging from TikTok and Reels to YouTube and Twitter.But did you know that you can add a video to your Google Business Profile?Businesses of all sizes face an incredible amount of competition. Small businesses, in particular, are constantly being challenged to find new and creative ways to grab the attention of fickle consumers.Finding a cost-effective way to reach an audience and build interest in products and services can be the difference between success and failure.One of the best ways to accomplish this is to seize on the public thirst for s...

Read More

23Nov By Miranda MillerNo Comments

Ask an SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What’s The Best Local SEO Content Strategy For Targeting 100+ Areas?

In this week’s edition of Ask An SEO, Mehmet from Adana, Turkey, writes:“Hello there. I own a business that provides cleaning services and serves about 120 different neighborhoods.I want to create a separate article for each of the city, district, neighborhood, and service searches. Is this the right local strategy and what should the link structure look like?”Great question.Your question refers to articles and link structure, so we’ll focus on that today.But I want to make sure this isn’t your only local search strategy.A comprehensive local SEO strategy is also going to include:Wherever customers are searching for services like yours, you want to be there and either convert them immediately or direct them to your desired URL to learn more.So let’s talk about the idea of putting together ...

Read More

18Nov By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Adds 4 New Features For Local Shopping

Google Maps launches four new features to improve the local shopping experience for customers, which in turn can lead to more sales for businesses.In addition, Google has published statistics related to local shopping during the holiday season. This includes the most popular times to visit certain categories of businesses, and more.These are the new features that are now available in Google Maps worldwide.4 New Google Maps Features1. Area BusynessCustomers can now see how busy a particular area is before they get there, which will help those who prefer to avoid large crowds.The new feature, called Area Busyness, combines live busyness trends from individual businesses that are in close proximity to each other.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowTo access Area Busyness data, open Google Maps...

Read More

17Nov By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Launches New Local Search Features

As more searchers look up the query “news near me” than ever before, Google is launching new features for local search results and new tools for journalists.Google reports that searches for “news near me” have tripled over the past five years, reaching an all time high in May 2020.Screenshot from: blog.google/products/news, November 2021.In response to the demand for local news, Google is adding new features to search results to help people find locally relevant stories.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowGoogle is also releasing new and upgraded tools for reporters to produce more work that’s tailored to a digital medium.Here’s an overview of everything Google is rolling out.New Features For Local News In Google SearchNew features coming to Google Search will make it easier for people to f...

Read More

16Nov By Chelsea AlvesNo Comments

Digital Experience, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

8 Google Business Profile Updates To Make For The Holidays

The peak holiday season is rapidly approaching – in fact, for many, it’s already in full swing.E-commerce sales for November 2021 to January 2022 are forecasted to rise 11%-15% to between $210 billion and $218 billion this year.In-store shopping is also anticipated to rebound to a 33% share in 2021 from 28% in 2020, coming close to the 36% estimated for 2019.As Daniel Bachman, U.S. economic forecaster at Deloitte, states:“We anticipate strong consumer spending for the upcoming holiday season. As vaccination rates rise and consumers are more comfortable being outside of the home, we are likely to see increased spending on services, including restaurants and travel, while spending on goods will continue to hold steady.A steady decline in the savings rate to pre-pandemic levels will support c...

Read More

6Nov By Claire CarlileNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Common Local SEO KPIs And How To Measure Them

Be honest: Have you ever put together what you now know to be one of the worst SEO reports ever made?You know what I mean – a bloated 10-pager filled with pointless data that will mean literally nothing to the client, and that they’ll probably never read.You add Google Analytics (GA) users, sessions, page views, bounce rates, time on site, and traffic by channel for a start.You sprinkle on some Google My Business (GMB) data to show the number of listing views on Search and Maps, then plug in Google Search Console for a clicks and impressions table.“Look how busy I’ve been,” you say to yourself. Look at all of those numbers! So clever.I’ll own up – I’m guilty as charged. That’s not to say that some of that data won’t be useful for those clients.It’s just that before we put together our repo...

Read More

4Nov By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

A Complete Guide for Local SEO

Google announced today that the name of its local listing platform, Google My Business (GMB), is changing to Google Business Profile.“Moving forward, we recommend small businesses manage their profiles directly on Search or Maps. To keep things simple, ‘Google My Business’ is being renamed ‘Google Business Profile,'” wrote Matt Madrigal, VP/GM Merchant Shopping, in the official announcement.“And in 2022, we’ll retire the Google My Business app so more merchants can take advantage of the upgraded experience on Search and Maps,” he added.The rebranding announcement came with a few new features, too.What does this mean for the millions of business owners, brands, and marketers who use GMB (now GBP) as part of their local online presence?What’s New With Your Google Business Profile?The option ...

Read More

26Oct By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

8 Ways To Drive Local Business In Competitive Markets With Search

Local search marketing is key for any location but when faced with a competitive market, it’s essential that you have strategies to help you stand out.The closer the user is to a location, the more likely it will rank. However, in denser areas, a location will face more competition.By accelerating efforts around Google My Business (GMB) and location page management, a location’s relevance and prominence can increase a business’s rankings resulting in increased local visibility, especially in competitive markets.In this post, we will break down strategies for both GMB and location pages to drive more local business.How Google Ranks Local ResultsGoogle states that “Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence.”Relevance is how applicable the result is to what some...

Read More

28Sep By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Local Competitors Violating GMB Guidelines? Here’s What You Can Do

It happens all the time — a company’s GMB listing gets pummeled in the local rankings because the top-ranking competitors aren’t playing the rules.They could be keyword stuffing their business name, or displaying a residential address in their business profile.Maybe they’re using an address that doesn’t even qualify for a GMB listing, such as a P.O. Box or UPS Box address.Or it could be that the higher-ranking listings are getting reviews unethically to build up their 5-star review stockpile.Meanwhile, the original company’s GMB listing is following Google My Business’s guidelines to the letter but their rankings are suffering because they are a good, guideline-abiding GMB citizen ranking far behind the rule-breakers.Screenshot from Support.google.com, September 2021So… what can rule-abidi...

Read More

22Sep By Claire CarlileNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Steps to GMB Products Set-Up via Google Product Editor

Have you tried using GMB Products to promote important product pages on your website?If not, you may be missing out on a valuable opportunity to showcase products and drive customer interactions in Google Search.Google officially calls this feature “Product Editor,” but you’ll likely hear it referred to as “GMB Products” in marketing circles.Either way, although GMB Products has existed since 2018, it first popped into many businesses’ Google My Business dashboards when it came out of beta in early 2020.What are GMB Products?GMB Products are sometimes confused by some with “Product Posts,” but these are actually now one and the same thing.Screenshot from GMB Dashboard, September 2021“Add Product” in the Posts section of GMB now populates a product rather than a post.AdvertisementContinue R...

Read More

11Sep By Local VikingNo Comments

AdNouncement Lite, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Your Guide to Better Local SEO Rankings

This post was sponsored by Local Viking. The opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor’s own.If you’re working on local SEO projects and managing Google My Business (GMB) listings, you’ve probably scrambled to answer at least one of these questions:How can we increase our visibility?How can we expand our ranking coverage?My GMB listing is “filtered” or stuck – what now?Don’t fret – we’ve got you covered!Everything you need to know about ranking and visibility for Google My Business is in this comprehensive guide from Local Viking.Learn actionable local SEO strategies based on years of serving large agencies in a white-label fashion, owning a portfolio of general and niche agencies, and working with marketing teams on national GMB campaigns with over thousands of locations across t...

Read More

10Sep By Local VikingNo Comments

AdNouncement Lite, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Get Better Results for Your GMB Listing with Fewer Tools

This is a sponsored post written by Local Viking. The opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor’s own.With a portfolio of agencies managing Google My Business (GMB) listings, client acquisition dialed in, and workload piling up, the birth of Local Viking was a true baptism by fire.We needed something that could start the journey of containerizing reporting, help our staff automate some of the mundane optimization activities, and lead the charge into a more accurate and sensible rank tracker for our clients.If you want to check out the day-to-day strategies we use in our real-life agencies that rank thousands of GMB listings, download this free guide.If you’re looking for quick GMB management tips, then you might find our 15-Minute Marketing Methodology case study useful.But if you...

Read More

9Sep By Ben FisherNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

4 Known GMB Issues & What To Do About Them

It can be frustrating when a free service like Google My Business is not working as you expect it to. And I totally understand that you get a ton of business from your Business Profile on Search and Maps.The Google My Business team understands this, as well.Support is doing the best that they can — particularly given what a tumultuous year it’s been in local search.In this article, you’ll learn about four of the Google My Business issues being worked on as of mid-May/June 2021.You’ll also find helpful steps you can take to resolve these issues and improve your own listings.What Happens When You Report an Issue to GMB?It can help to know how the Google My Business team prioritizes fixes when they receive a bug report.Typically, Product Experts (like yours truly) will see an issue in the com...

Read More

8Sep By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Webinar

4 Lesser-Known Local SEO Tips Even the Experts Miss

More people are searching for local businesses than ever before.This also means local search has never been as competitive as it is today.So how can local businesses stand out and rise in the rankings?How can you make it easy for customers to easily find your business and connect with you?On June 9, I moderated a sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar presented by Jared McKinney and Matt Boyce of Podium.They shared tips on how to rank higher in search using some lesser-known local SEO tips.Here’s a recap of the webinar presentation.Data from Google and other sources tells us that local searches consistently lead to actual visits to physical locations.But often, local businesses don’t pay attention to simple yet impactful tactics that can actually make a difference for their SEO.What follo...

Read More

7Sep By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Webinar

Are You Making These Big Mistakes with Your Google My Business Listing?

Google My Business can be one of the most valuable tools for any local business – one that can help you gain customers or clients and, most importantly, revenue.However, many GMB listings are suffering from all-too-common, critical issues.On June 16, I moderated a sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar presented by Mark Luckenbaugh of Local Viking.He shared how to make sure you’re avoiding these pitfalls – whether you manage a single GMB listing or thousands of them.Here’s a recap of the webinar presentation.Are you making it hard for local customers to find your business when they’re searching for you?If your business is not showing up for relevant search queries, then you probably need to look into your Google My Business (GMB) profile.Most GMB issues can’t be resolved through brute for...

Read More

6Sep By Marshall NymanNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

The Complete Guide to GMB Attributes for Local SEO

Google My Business (GMB) attributes are a uniform way for businesses to share what they offer and what a customer can expect when using that business.They are also a way for a business to optimize its local search presence. The more detailed a listing is with attributes, the more likely that listing could rank for a specific targeted search with an attribute modifier — for example, [accessible restaurants near me] or [miami hotels with free wifi].In this blog post, you’ll discover the different types of GMB attributes available to businesses depending on your primary business category, and how local marketers can best leverage these attributes.Types of Google My Business AttributesThere are two types of attributes within a listing on GMB: factual or subjective.Factual attributes are mainta...

Read More

6Sep By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Create a Winning Local SEO Strategy for Your Business

With 90% of consumers searching for local businesses online, local SEO is an essential marketing tool for businesses looking to attract potential customers.Whether you have a physical location or an online business that serves a specific location, you need a strategy for targeting localized searches and users in your area. This is how you rank higher in Google search, outshine your competitors, and attract even more customers.In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a local SEO strategy for any business to generate more traffic from local search.Does Your Business Need a Local SEO Strategy?First off, not all businesses need local SEO. Only businesses that serve a specific geographic location (or several) need to rank in local search for the key terms potential customers are searching for ...

Read More

5Sep By Tom McLoughlinNo Comments

Digital Experience, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

A Guide to Responding to Positive and Negative Yelp Reviews

When it comes to making a purchase decision, the majority of potential customers will look to reviews for help.It doesn’t matter whether this is choosing a restaurant, booking a holiday, or picking somewhere to visit at the weekend; what other people have to say matters.Yelp is a platform that allows customers to leave such reviews for the businesses they have visited and supported, from cafes to cottage rentals and everything in between.Whilst (we hope) the majority of Yelp reviews you receive are positive and full of praise, there are always going to be times when a negative experience brings this average down. It’s important to bear in mind that your responses to these comments can have as much influence as the reviews themselves, both good and bad.Responding to reviews is the best way ...

Read More

5Sep By Andrew ShotlandNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Top Enterprise Local SEO Challenges (& How To Solve Them)

Local SEO is a strange beast. Mastering it for an enterprise requires both knowing how to do “national” SEO, Google My Business SEO, and then understanding how Google treats your target search queries in different markets.That means there is an infinite number of challenges in enterprise local for search marketers.What Are the Most Common Challenges in Enterprise Local SEO?Prioritizing local with internal stakeholders.Having a single source of truth for location data.Optimizing store locators.Google My Business management & optimization.Building a local search presence for service area businesses and marketplaces.1. Prioritizing Local InternallyIt sounds strange, but I can’t tell you how many multi-location organizations we have worked with where the locations were not the priority for...

Read More

4Sep By Chandal Nolasco da SilvaNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

A Guide to Star Ratings on Google and How They Work

The elusive five-star review used to be something you could only flaunt in a rotating reviews section on your website.But today, Google has pulled these stars out of the shadows and features them front and center across branded SERPs and beyond.Consider that 48% of consumers won’t even look twice at a business with less than 4-stars.Star ratings can help businesses earn trust from potential customers, improve local search rankings, and boost conversions.This is your guide to how they work.Stars and SERPsStar ratings on Google are powered by consumer reviews from different properties, and Google uses an algorithm and an average to determine how many stars are displayed.These ratings appear on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.When a person searches Google, they will come across star ratings on standa...

Read More

3Sep By CallRailNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Sponsored Posts

5 Ways to Take Your Small Business Marketing to the Next Level

Here are five reasons a small business owner should consider partnering with a marketing agency:1. Free Up Valuable Time & Resources for the BusinessThe CallRail survey revealed that the two greatest roadblocks for business owners to create a marketing plan were time and budget:44% of respondents said they were too pressed for time, overwhelmed with running the business, and had no budget to hire anyone.74% said they would rather spend their time on primary business responsibilities than on marketing.Many entrepreneurs operate with a DIY mindset and try to juggle too many tasks on their own.A marketing agency brings more experience to the table while also freeing up an owner’s invaluable time for other important tasks that may have fallen by the wayside.2. Monitor Trends & Make Exp...

Read More

1Sep By Shane BarkerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Use Local Keywords to Rank Higher on Google

Did you know that 76% of people who search for a nearby business on their smartphones visit them within a day’s time?Or that 28% of these searches end in a purchase?That’s the power of local SEO – and local keyword research.Choosing the right keywords for your business can help you rank better for competitive keywords related to your product and industry.While local searches may yield lower search volumes, it’s more about intent and driving traffic ready to convert.You need to make it easy for consumers to find your local business on Google and other search engines.So how do you find and use keywords to help increase your local search rankings?Read on to find out.Local Keyword ResearchYou first need to know which search queries are helping people find your business.Optimizing your website ...

Read More

31Aug By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

5 Top Local Business Concerns, Solved

Google My Business (GMB) is one of the best ways for a local business to rank higher on Google.Whether it’s through the local 3-pack, the local finder, or Google Maps, having your business on GMB helps you get found by interested shoppers, consumers, and clients.But it’s not always easy. Every day, we see dozens of questions from local business owners and digital marketing agencies on the Google My Business Help Community Forum.Many of the issues there are unique and require a deep dive into their specific situation.However, there are some more common questions users have about Google My Business. Here are five GMB problems users often encounter and how to help solve them:Why are changes we didn’t make appearing on our GMB profile?What if I can’t find a category that fits my business model...

Read More

30Aug By John LincolnNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, social media

How to Use GMB Posts & Facebook Events for Local Marketing

Looking for new ways to market to a local audience?Google My Business Event Posts and Facebook Events are two great ways to get a little extra exposure.In this article, you’ll learn how to utilize Google My Business Posts and Facebook Events to gain extra exposure for your local business or clients.How to Use Google My Business Posts for Your Local BusinessLocal businesses can post directly on Google My Business, which shows up on Google Search and Maps.This enables you to get in front of customers who are searching for your brand or products/services like yours. You can use text, photos, or videos to promote your profile through the Updates or Overview sections of your profile.Think about this almost as if you have the ability to place a sign on the window of your brick-and-mortar store. ...

Read More

30Aug By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Explains Importance of GMB for Local Search

Google’s John Mueller answered a question about the difference in SEO between an informational search query and a query for a local service. Mueller answers the question and followed up by explaining what a business needs to do to rank for local search queries, stressing the importance of Google My Business (GMB).What’s the Difference Between Local and Informational Search Queries?A “Local Search Query” is a search question that someone types into Google when they are looking for a service or a store that is in their geographic area.Examples of a local search business can be a a plumber, a restaurant, a retail store or a lawyer.And informational search query is one where a searcher is trying to find information, like, for example, the cast of a movie, a product review or instructions on ho...

Read More

29Aug By Helen PollittNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

7 Ways to Improve Local SEO & Attract New Business

Local SEO differs in many ways from the organic optimizations we make to our websites.When you are working for a business that relies on being relevant to consumers within its physical proximity, you need to learn how to get the most from your presence in local search results and the MapPack.In this column, you’ll find seven ways to improve local SEO, build local visibility, and win over new customers.Top Ways to Improve Your Local SEOKeep an Eye on Your Competitors’ Google My Business Q&As.Tweak a Google Product Listing to Get It More Exposure.Use Google’s Business Messages While You Can.Update Your GMB with All Relevant Newly Available Attributes.Join Local Marketplaces and Forums.Don’t Neglect Other Search Engines.Keep an Eye on Your Reputation.1. Keep an Eye on Your Competitors’ Go...

Read More

29Aug By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

New Research Shows How to Win in Local Search

New research from Silicon Valley agency Milestone Inc reveals how local and organic search generate more traffic, produce higher engagement rates and it converts at higher revenue rates per transaction than other channels.Methodology: Millions of Sessions and Page Views AnalyzedThe Milestone Inc research paper analyzed 500 location based businesses, their sessions and page views in order to understand which channels produced more earnings at the best ROI.According to Milestone Inc:“Milestone Research reviewed over 500 location-based websites, 63 million sessions, and 176 million page views over 18 months from Jan 2020 to June 2021 to generate these findings.”Top Performing ChannelsOrganic search was the top performing channel, followed by local search.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowWha...

Read More

28Aug By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Ways to Boost Your SEO With Third-Party Reviews

Third-party reviews offer invaluable insight from an unbiased perspective on your business. They also instill trust with potential customers, which may help guide their decision to purchase your product or service.In fact, nearly half (42%) of internet users in the U.S. cite reviews from other customers as a feature that would most increase their likelihood of buying a product.When compared to first-party reviews, third-party reviews can also appear more credible to a searcher. After all, a business is unlikely to publish negative reviews on its website.Whether you’re looking to convert searches into sales or improve your search ranking, focusing on enhancing your reviews’ search engine optimization (SEO) efforts can achieve both. Reviews are a heavily weighted local search ranking factor,...

Read More

28Aug By Amanda DiSilvestroNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

12 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Local SEO Agency

Have you decided that it is time to stop doing your SEO 100% in-house? Is it time to start looking for a local SEO agency to help you meet your goals?It is a decision most businesses have to make at one point or another, especially when things start picking up for a brand (and frankly the work required to maintain a good online presence just gets to be too much).For many, the solution is to hire a local SEO agency to help not only pick up your extra work but use their knowledge to help take you to the next level, as well.It is crucial that you ask the right questions and you know what answers to expect when thinking of hiring an SEO agency.You want to make sure that there is a good fit with the company you are working with, and the questions below should help you answer that.Identify Your ...

Read More

27Aug By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

15 Local SEO Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Local SEO is the leading driver of organic traffic for local businesses. And with around 5 billion searches per day, Google search is the place to get your business found by people searching for products or services like yours.But optimizing for local search isn’t always a simple task.It takes keyword research, on-page optimization, and much more to turn your website into a local traffic-generating machine. Even the savviest of SEO professionals make mistakes along the way.Here, you’ll learn about the 15 most common local SEO mistakes and find simple tips to help you avoid them when optimizing your website or listings.15 Common Local SEO Mistakes Businesses MakeUnlocalized Keyword Targets.No Customer Reviews.Inconsistent NAPW Data.No Directory Profiles.No Google My Business Listing.Ignorin...

Read More

25Aug By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

15 Local SEO Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Local SEO is the leading driver of organic traffic for local businesses. And with around 5 billion searches per day, Google search is the place to get your business found by people searching for products or services like yours.But optimizing for local search isn’t always a simple task.It takes keyword research, on-page optimization, and much more to turn your website into a local traffic-generating machine. Even the savviest of SEO professionals make mistakes along the way.Here, you’ll learn about the 15 most common local SEO mistakes and find simple tips to help you avoid them when optimizing your website or listings.15 Common Local SEO Mistakes Businesses MakeUnlocalized Keyword Targets.No Customer Reviews.Inconsistent NAPW Data.No Directory Profiles.No Google My Business Listing.Ignorin...

Read More

23Aug By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Ways to Boost Your SEO With Third-Party Reviews

Third-party reviews offer invaluable insight from an unbiased perspective on your business. They also instill trust with potential customers, which may help guide their decision to purchase your product or service.In fact, nearly half (42%) of internet users in the U.S. cite reviews from other customers as a feature that would most increase their likelihood of buying a product.When compared to first-party reviews, third-party reviews can also appear more credible to a searcher. After all, a business is unlikely to publish negative reviews on its website.Whether you’re looking to convert searches into sales or improve your search ranking, focusing on enhancing your reviews’ search engine optimization (SEO) efforts can achieve both. Reviews are a heavily weighted local search ranking factor,...

Read More

19Aug By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

New Research Shows How to Win in Local Search

New research from Silicon Valley agency Milestone Internet reveals how local and organic search generate more traffic, produce higher engagement rates and it converts at higher revenue rates per transaction than other channels.Methodology: Millions of Sessions and Page Views AnalyzedThe Milestone Internet research paper analyzed 500 location based businesses, their sessions and page views in order to understand which channels produced more earnings at the best ROI.According to Milestone Internet:“Milestone Research reviewed over 500 location-based websites, 63 million sessions, and 176 million page views over 18 months from Jan 2020 to June 2021 to generate these findings.”Top Performing ChannelsOrganic search was the top performing channel, followed by local search.AdvertisementContinue R...

Read More

8Aug By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Webinar

Are You Making These Big Mistakes with Your Google My Business Listing?

Google My Business can be one of the most valuable tools for any local business – one that can help you gain customers or clients and, most importantly, revenue.However, many GMB listings are suffering from all-too-common, critical issues.On June 16, I moderated a sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar presented by Mark Luckenbaugh of Local Viking.He shared how to make sure you’re avoiding these pitfalls – whether you manage a single GMB listing or thousands of them.Here’s a recap of the webinar presentation.Are you making it hard for local customers to find your business when they’re searching for you?If your business is not showing up for relevant search queries, then you probably need to look into your Google My Business (GMB) profile.Most GMB issues can’t be resolved through brute for...

Read More

8Aug By Marshall NymanNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

The Complete Guide to GMB Attributes for Local SEO

Google My Business (GMB) attributes are a uniform way for businesses to share what they offer and what a customer can expect when using that business.They are also a way for a business to optimize its local search presence. The more detailed a listing is with attributes, the more likely that listing could rank for a specific targeted search with an attribute modifier — for example, [accessible restaurants near me] or [miami hotels with free wifi].In this blog post, you’ll discover the different types of GMB attributes available to businesses depending on your primary business category, and how local marketers can best leverage these attributes.Types of Google My Business AttributesThere are two types of attributes within a listing on GMB: factual or subjective.Factual attributes are mainta...

Read More

7Aug By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Create a Winning Local SEO Strategy for Your Business

With 90% of consumers searching for local businesses online, local SEO is an essential marketing tool for businesses looking to attract potential customers.Whether you have a physical location or an online business that serves a specific location, you need a strategy for targeting localized searches and users in your area. This is how you rank higher in Google search, outshine your competitors, and attract even more customers.In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a local SEO strategy for any business to generate more traffic from local search.Does Your Business Need a Local SEO Strategy?First off, not all businesses need local SEO. Only businesses that serve a specific geographic location (or several) need to rank in local search for the key terms potential customers are searching for ...

Read More

7Aug By Tom McLoughlinNo Comments

Digital Experience, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

A Guide to Responding to Positive and Negative Yelp Reviews

When it comes to making a purchase decision, the majority of potential customers will look to reviews for help.It doesn’t matter whether this is choosing a restaurant, booking a holiday, or picking somewhere to visit at the weekend; what other people have to say matters.Yelp is a platform that allows customers to leave such reviews for the businesses they have visited and supported, from cafes to cottage rentals and everything in between.Whilst (we hope) the majority of Yelp reviews you receive are positive and full of praise, there are always going to be times when a negative experience brings this average down. It’s important to bear in mind that your responses to these comments can have as much influence as the reviews themselves, both good and bad.Responding to reviews is the best way ...

Read More

6Aug By Andrew ShotlandNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Top Enterprise Local SEO Challenges (& How To Solve Them)

Local SEO is a strange beast. Mastering it for an enterprise requires both knowing how to do “national” SEO, Google My Business SEO, and then understanding how Google treats your target search queries in different markets.That means there is an infinite number of challenges in enterprise local for search marketers.What Are the Most Common Challenges in Enterprise Local SEO?Prioritizing local with internal stakeholders.Having a single source of truth for location data.Optimizing store locators.Google My Business management & optimization.Building a local search presence for service area businesses and marketplaces.1. Prioritizing Local InternallyIt sounds strange, but I can’t tell you how many multi-location organizations we have worked with where the locations were not the priority for...

Read More

5Aug By Helen PollittNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

7 Ways to Improve Local SEO & Attract New Business

Local SEO differs in many ways from the organic optimizations we make to our websites.When you are working for a business that relies on being relevant to consumers within its physical proximity, you need to learn how to get the most from your presence in local search results and the MapPack.In this column, you’ll find seven ways to improve local SEO, build local visibility, and win over new customers.Top Ways to Improve Your Local SEOKeep an Eye on Your Competitors’ Google My Business Q&As.Tweak a Google Product Listing to Get It More Exposure.Use Google’s Business Messages While You Can.Update Your GMB with All Relevant Newly Available Attributes.Join Local Marketplaces and Forums.Don’t Neglect Other Search Engines.Keep an Eye on Your Reputation.1. Keep an Eye on Your Competitors’ Go...

Read More

5Aug By CallRailNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Sponsored Posts

5 Ways to Take Your Small Business Marketing to the Next Level

Here are five reasons a small business owner should consider partnering with a marketing agency:1. Free Up Valuable Time & Resources for the BusinessThe CallRail survey revealed that the two greatest roadblocks for business owners to create a marketing plan were time and budget:44% of respondents said they were too pressed for time, overwhelmed with running the business, and had no budget to hire anyone.74% said they would rather spend their time on primary business responsibilities than on marketing.Many entrepreneurs operate with a DIY mindset and try to juggle too many tasks on their own.A marketing agency brings more experience to the table while also freeing up an owner’s invaluable time for other important tasks that may have fallen by the wayside.2. Monitor Trends & Make Exp...

Read More

4Aug By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

5 Top Local Business Concerns, Solved

Google My Business (GMB) is one of the best ways for a local business to rank higher on Google.Whether it’s through the local 3-pack, the local finder, or Google Maps, having your business on GMB helps you get found by interested shoppers, consumers, and clients.But it’s not always easy. Every day, we see dozens of questions from local business owners and digital marketing agencies on the Google My Business Help Community Forum.Many of the issues there are unique and require a deep dive into their specific situation.However, there are some more common questions users have about Google My Business. Here are five GMB problems users often encounter and how to help solve them:Why are changes we didn’t make appearing on our GMB profile?What if I can’t find a category that fits my business model...

Read More

4Aug By John LincolnNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, social media

How to Use GMB Posts & Facebook Events for Local Marketing

Looking for new ways to market to a local audience?Google My Business Event Posts and Facebook Events are two great ways to get a little extra exposure.In this article, you’ll learn how to utilize Google My Business Posts and Facebook Events to gain extra exposure for your local business or clients.How to Use Google My Business Posts for Your Local BusinessLocal businesses can post directly on Google My Business, which shows up on Google Search and Maps.This enables you to get in front of customers who are searching for your brand or products/services like yours. You can use text, photos, or videos to promote your profile through the Updates or Overview sections of your profile.Think about this almost as if you have the ability to place a sign on the window of your brick-and-mortar store. ...

Read More

3Aug By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Explains Importance of GMB for Local Search

Google’s John Mueller answered a question about the difference in SEO between an informational search query and a query for a local service. Mueller answers the question and followed up by explaining what a business needs to do to rank for local search queries, stressing the importance of Google My Business (GMB).What’s the Difference Between Local and Informational Search Queries?A “Local Search Query” is a search question that someone types into Google when they are looking for a service or a store that is in their geographic area.Examples of a local search business can be a a plumber, a restaurant, a retail store or a lawyer.And informational search query is one where a searcher is trying to find information, like, for example, the cast of a movie, a product review or instructions on ho...

Read More

30Jul By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

5 Top Local Business Concerns, Solved

Google My Business (GMB) is one of the best ways for a local business to rank higher on Google.Whether it’s through the local 3-pack, the local finder, or Google Maps, having your business on GMB helps you get found by interested shoppers, consumers, and clients.But it’s not always easy. Every day, we see dozens of questions from local business owners and digital marketing agencies on the Google My Business Help Community Forum.Many of the issues there are unique and require a deep dive into their specific situation.However, there are some more common questions users have about Google My Business. Here are five GMB problems users often encounter and how to help solve them:Why are changes we didn’t make appearing on our GMB profile?What if I can’t find a category that fits my business model...

Read More

29Jul By John LincolnNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, social media

How to Use GMB Posts & Facebook Events for Local Marketing

Looking for new ways to market to a local audience?Google My Business Event Posts and Facebook Events are two great ways to get a little extra exposure.In this article, you’ll learn how to utilize Google My Business Posts and Facebook Events to gain extra exposure for your local business or clients.How to Use Google My Business Posts for Your Local BusinessLocal businesses can post directly on Google My Business, which shows up on Google Search and Maps.This enables you to get in front of customers who are searching for your brand or products/services like yours. You can use text, photos, or videos to promote your profile through the Updates or Overview sections of your profile.Think about this almost as if you have the ability to place a sign on the window of your brick-and-mortar store. ...

Read More

22Jul By CallRailNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Sponsored Posts

5 Ways to Take Your Small Business Marketing to the Next Level

Here are five reasons a small business owner should consider partnering with a marketing agency:1. Free Up Valuable Time & Resources for the BusinessThe CallRail survey revealed that the two greatest roadblocks for business owners to create a marketing plan were time and budget:44% of respondents said they were too pressed for time, overwhelmed with running the business, and had no budget to hire anyone.74% said they would rather spend their time on primary business responsibilities than on marketing.Many entrepreneurs operate with a DIY mindset and try to juggle too many tasks on their own.A marketing agency brings more experience to the table while also freeing up an owner’s invaluable time for other important tasks that may have fallen by the wayside.2. Monitor Trends & Make Exp...

Read More

15Jul By Andrew ShotlandNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Top Enterprise Local SEO Challenges (& How To Solve Them)

Local SEO is a strange beast. Mastering it for an enterprise requires both knowing how to do “national” SEO, Google My Business SEO, and then understanding how Google treats your target search queries in different markets.That means there is an infinite number of challenges in enterprise local for search marketers.What Are the Most Common Challenges in Enterprise Local SEO?Prioritizing local with internal stakeholders.Having a single source of truth for location data.Optimizing store locators.Google My Business management & optimization.Building a local search presence for service area businesses and marketplaces.1. Prioritizing Local InternallyIt sounds strange, but I can’t tell you how many multi-location organizations we have worked with where the locations were not the priority for...

Read More

1Jul By Tom McLoughlinNo Comments

Digital Experience, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

A Guide to Responding to Positive and Negative Yelp Reviews

When it comes to making a purchase decision, the majority of potential customers will look to reviews for help.It doesn’t matter whether this is choosing a restaurant, booking a holiday, or picking somewhere to visit at the weekend; what other people have to say matters.Yelp is a platform that allows customers to leave such reviews for the businesses they have visited and supported, from cafes to cottage rentals and everything in between.Whilst (we hope) the majority of Yelp reviews you receive are positive and full of praise, there are always going to be times when a negative experience brings this average down. It’s important to bear in mind that your responses to these comments can have as much influence as the reviews themselves, both good and bad.Responding to reviews is the best way ...

Read More

29Jun By Marshall NymanNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

The Complete Guide to GMB Attributes for Local SEO

Google My Business (GMB) attributes are a uniform way for businesses to share what they offer and what a customer can expect when using that business.They are also a way for a business to optimize its local search presence. The more detailed a listing is with attributes, the more likely that listing could rank for a specific targeted search with an attribute modifier — for example, [accessible restaurants near me] or [miami hotels with free wifi].In this blog post, you’ll discover the different types of GMB attributes available to businesses depending on your primary business category, and how local marketers can best leverage these attributes.Types of Google My Business AttributesThere are two types of attributes within a listing on GMB: factual or subjective.Factual attributes are mainta...

Read More

29Jun By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Create a Winning Local SEO Strategy for Your Business

With 90% of consumers searching for local businesses online, local SEO is an essential marketing tool for businesses looking to attract potential customers.Whether you have a physical location or an online business that serves a specific location, you need a strategy for targeting localized searches and users in your area. This is how you rank higher in Google search, outshine your competitors, and attract even more customers.In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a local SEO strategy for any business to generate more traffic from local search.Does Your Business Need a Local SEO Strategy?First off, not all businesses need local SEO. Only businesses that serve a specific geographic location (or several) need to rank in local search for the key terms potential customers are searching for ...

Read More

23Jun By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Webinar

Are You Making These Big Mistakes with Your Google My Business Listing?

Google My Business can be one of the most valuable tools for any local business – one that can help you gain customers or clients and, most importantly, revenue.However, many GMB listings are suffering from all-too-common, critical issues.On June 16, I moderated a sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar presented by Mark Luckenbaugh of Local Viking.He shared how to make sure you’re avoiding these pitfalls – whether you manage a single GMB listing or thousands of them.Here’s a recap of the webinar presentation.Are you making it hard for local customers to find your business when they’re searching for you?If your business is not showing up for relevant search queries, then you probably need to look into your Google My Business (GMB) profile.Most GMB issues can’t be resolved through brute for...

Read More

15Jun By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Webinar

4 Lesser-Known Local SEO Tips Even the Experts Miss

More people are searching for local businesses than ever before.This also means local search has never been as competitive as it is today.So how can local businesses stand out and rise in the rankings?How can you make it easy for customers to easily find your business and connect with you?On June 9, I moderated a sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar presented by Jared McKinney and Matt Boyce of Podium.They shared tips on how to rank higher in search using some lesser-known local SEO tips.Here’s a recap of the webinar presentation.Data from Google and other sources tells us that local searches consistently lead to actual visits to physical locations.But often, local businesses don’t pay attention to simple yet impactful tactics that can actually make a difference for their SEO.What follo...

Read More

14Jun By Ben FisherNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

4 Known GMB Issues & What To Do About Them

It can be frustrating when a free service like Google My Business is not working as you expect it to. And I totally understand that you get a ton of business from your Business Profile on Search and Maps.The Google My Business team understands this, as well.Support is doing the best that they can — particularly given what a tumultuous year it’s been in local search.In this article, you’ll learn about four of the Google My Business issues being worked on as of mid-May/June 2021.You’ll also find helpful steps you can take to resolve these issues and improve your own listings.What Happens When You Report an Issue to GMB?It can help to know how the Google My Business team prioritizes fixes when they receive a bug report.Typically, Product Experts (like yours truly) will see an issue in the com...

Read More

10Jun By Local VikingNo Comments

AdNouncement Lite, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Get Better Results for Your GMB Listing with Fewer Tools

This is a sponsored post written by Local Viking. The opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor’s own.With a portfolio of agencies managing Google My Business (GMB) listings, client acquisition dialed in, and workload piling up, the birth of Local Viking was a true baptism by fire.We needed something that could start the journey of containerizing reporting, help our staff automate some of the mundane optimization activities, and lead the charge into a more accurate and sensible rank tracker for our clients.If you want to check out the day-to-day strategies we use in our real-life agencies that rank thousands of GMB listings, download this free guide.If you’re looking for quick GMB management tips, then you might find our 15-Minute Marketing Methodology case study useful.But if you...

Read More

7Jun By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Webinar

Are You Making These Big Mistakes with Your GMB Listing? [Webinar]

Google My Business can be one of the most valuable tools for any local business – one that can help you gain customers or clients and, most importantly, revenue.However, many GMB listings are suffering from all-too-common, critical issues.Join our next Search Engine Journal webinar on Wednesday, June 16 at 2 p.m. ET as Local Viking’s Mark Luckenbaugh shares how to make sure you’re avoiding these pitfalls – whether you manage a single GMB listing or thousands of them.Are you making it hard for people to find your business when they’re searching for you?In this presentation, you’ll learn how to:Identify technical GMB issues that can hurt your visibility.Avoid technical issues, filters, and ranking stagnation.Improve local pack rankings – fast. You will also discover some free resources and t...

Read More

4Jun By Local VikingNo Comments

AdNouncement Lite, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Your Guide to Better Local SEO Rankings

This post was sponsored by Local Viking. The opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor’s own.If you’re working on local SEO projects and managing Google My Business (GMB) listings, you’ve probably scrambled to answer at least one of these questions:How can we increase our visibility?How can we expand our ranking coverage?My GMB listing is “filtered” or stuck – what now?Don’t fret – we’ve got you covered!Everything you need to know about ranking and visibility for Google My Business is in this comprehensive guide from Local Viking.Learn actionable local SEO strategies based on years of serving large agencies in a white-label fashion, owning a portfolio of general and niche agencies, and working with marketing teams on national GMB campaigns with over thousands of locations across t...

Read More

2Jun By Heather CampbellNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Webinar

4 Local SEO Tips Even the Experts Miss [Webinar]

More people are searching for local businesses than ever before.This also means local search has never been as competitive as it is today.So how can local businesses stand out and rise in the rankings?How can you make it easy for customers to easily find your business and connect with you?Join our next Search Engine Journal webinar on Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m. ET as Matt Boyce and Jared McKinney of Podium share tips on how to improve your local SEO strategy and visibility.Data from Google and other sources tells us that local searches consistently lead to actual visits to physical locations. To rank higher in local search you need ratings and reviews that build trust in your brand.In this presentation, you will learn how to:Rank higher in search using some lesser-known local SEO tips.Use...

Read More

25May By Lisa BuyerNo Comments

content marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How “Glocal” Content Marketing Helps International Brands Stay Local

How do today’s major global brands develop a digital presence and compete organically in local markets throughout the world?It’s called glocal.No, that’s not a typo – glocal is a sophisticated combination of global and local influence fueled by modern localization technology and strategic international marketing implementation.With the help of localization technology, global brands can be relevant and attractive on a local level, too. It’s the modern secret to building a global brand’s local staying power.When done right, the glocalization process taps into the power of content localization and SEO. This strategy ensures brands are easy to find and well ranked in local SERPS. Check!FYI Trend: International Brands Earn Local TrustThe [local loyalty] trend isn’t new.Since the inception, larg...

Read More

17May By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Fix Common Service Area Business Issues in Google My Business

When it comes to Google My Business’s rules and guidelines there is a lot of room for improvement.Yes, they have rules written down, but those guidelines are vague in many areas and contradictory in spots.That makes things confusing for even the smartest marketer or business owner. Trying to understand some of GMBs guidelines is almost like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube in a dark room.And the rules pertaining to Service Area Businesses (SABs) seem to be the most confusing.In this column, you’ll learn about the most common problems SABs experience in Google My Business — and how to solve them.What is Unique About Service Area Businesses in GMB?Service Area Businesses are those lacking a physical storefront location where customers can visit.SABs have employees that go out to their customer...

Read More

4May By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Top GMB Insights Trends Enterprise Brands Need to Know

New research from Rio SEO shows dramatic effects on Local Search and offers insights into how to be more effective in monitoring search habits at the local level and leverage those changes for better economic performance.Rio SEO tracked consumer trends across over 200,000 locations in a range of verticals.The report covers these categories.Business ServicesFinancial servicesSit-down restaurantsQuick Service RestaurantsRetailHealthcareHospitalityMassive ImpactAdvertisementContinue Reading BelowIt’s widely known that the impact on business was massive. But this new research shows how the pandemic affected website clicks, click to call, and driving direction clicks.According to Rio SEO:“Without question, COVID-19 had a massive impact on the local search landscape in 2020. Across the over 200,...

Read More

30Apr By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Adds 3 New Features For People Ready to Travel Again

As search trends show a renewed interest in travel, Google is adding new features to help people plan their next trip.Google reports searches for hotels reached a 10-year high in April 2021, as did searches for “where can I travel” and “travel restrictions by country.”To help answer those questions, and keep people up to date with travel advisories, Google is rolling out three new features in search results.New Travel-Related Features in Google Search ResultsTodays updates to Google Search are designed to help people stay informed about the latest travel guidance and explore potential destinations.Latest Travel GuidanceWhen searchers look for travel information like flights, hotels or things to do, Google currently lets them know if there are COVID-19 related travel advisories or restricti...

Read More

28Apr By Lauren AbramsonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Best Practices for Getting and Using Your Google Maps API Key

With the rise and prominence of local search marketing, brands have begun to build robust location pages with advanced mapping features to meet the growing needs of searchers.The page types typically include a map to show users where the location is, what are the cross streets, and any major landmarks. This enables the user to easily find the location and increases a brand’s opportunities for conversions.With numerous mapping options available, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with them and understand how to implement them — especially the top contender: Google Maps.And for that, you’re going to need a Google Maps API Key.In this column, you’ll learn from my colleague/co-author Marshall Nyman and I what a Google Maps API Key is and how to get started.What Is a Google Maps API Key?Googl...

Read More

12Apr By Andrew ShotlandNo Comments

Enterprise SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

A Local SEO Goldmine for Retailers

Check Your Free Local Listings DashboardNow That You Have The Data, Figure Out What It MeansTips for Retailers to Make the Most of Google Merchant Center InfoA lot of data to inform your SEO strategy is hiding in plain sight; you just need to know where to look. For multi-location retailers, Google Merchant Center can be a treasure trove of data to help gain that competitive edge.Last November, just in time for the holidays, Google began showing free local product listings at the bottom of Google My Business pages.They are the free version of Google’s Local Inventory Ads and look like this:This program is open to any brick-and-mortar business with a Google Merchant Center account in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Swede...

Read More

9Apr By Corey MorrisNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

10 Quick Restaurant SEO Tips to Boost Your Google Search Visibility

Define Your SEO & Content StrategiesDominate in Local SearchEngage With Customers on Social MediaEncourage Reviews & TestimonialsCreate Unique ContentConsider Content LocalizationApply Basic On-Page SEO Best PracticesThink Mobile FirstImplement Schema “Restaurants” MarkupMeasure Your EffortsSummaryA lot of factors have put an increasing amount of pressure on restaurants to improve their online presence.Whether through disruptions due to the pandemic, increased competition, or changes in the importance of having a strong online presence, we know we have to up our game.Right now, improving visibility at the local level is essential for both in-person dining and carry-out options.There are a lot of paid ads, partner services, and referral options for gaining traffic. However, rising t...

Read More

8Apr By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Yelp Reports Major Growth in Searches For Diverse Businesses

Yelp Search Data Shows Growing Consumer Interest in Diverse BusinessesAdditional Highlights From Yelp’s ReportNew Attribute For Asian-Owned BusinessesYelp’s latest local economic impact report reveals that searches for diverse businesses grew significantly over the past year.The report defines a diverse business as a women-owned, Black-owned, Asian-owned, or Latinx-owned establishment.Businesses that identify as either women-owned, Black-owned, Asian-owned or Latinx-owned can display attributes on their Yelp page to assist people searching for a diverse business.Business owners can opt-in to more than one attribute, if applicable, such as Black-owned and women-owned.Yelp data tracks when business owners opt into those attributes on their business page. Its latest report aims to measure the...

Read More

6Apr By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Increase Offline Sales for Local Businesses

Local Restaurant SearchesYouTube and Local ShoppingGoogle MapsGuide to Offline SalesGoogle is More than Ten Links on a Search ResultCitationsGoogle published a guide on four ways to drive local search traffic to an offline local business and make more sales. It’s a good reminder that Google is more than just the ten blue links on a search page.Understanding all the ways customers are trying to find businesses will help create more sales.For local retail, Google shared that various kinds of searches are growing exponentially.In particular, three kinds of searches are showing dramatic increases:The first kind of search involves consumers searching for businesses that are local to them.The second type of search involves consumers who are searching for businesses local to them that have someth...

Read More

31Mar By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Enhances Business Profiles For Stores With Delivery & Pickup

Google is adding more information to Search and Maps about businesses that offer options for grocery delivery and pickup.The information is getting added to search automatically, which means there’s no work needed on the part of businesses, but it’s an update worth being aware of.This addition to Google Search and Maps is rolling out as part of a larger update which includes a number of other useful features.We’ll look at the other features at the end of this article – let’s first go over the enhancements to Google My Business profiles.New Information in Google My Business ProfilesGoogle is bringing shopping information to stores’ business profiles to assist people with finding convenient grocery delivery and pickup options.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowThe information Google is addin...

Read More

24Mar By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Wix and Google Announce GMB Integration

Wix Business ModelWhat GMB Integration OffersQ & A With WixGoogle Integration ExpertiseWix Making Strides in Local SearchWix and Google announced an expanded partnership that integrates Google My Business (GMB) directly within Wix. Businesses can now access GMB data, customer interactions and manage their  profile directly from Wix.Wix Business ModelThe value proposition in a service like Wix is that they take handle the technical side of an online presence. Things like search engine optimization (SEO) and structured data are taken care of by Wix. Wix also provides marketing tools that help small businesses succeed. This allows businesses to focus on doing what they do best.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowIntegrating Google My Business fits in with the Wix business model of making i...

Read More

24Mar By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

New SEO Tool Tracks % Of Google SERPs with Local Packs

A new, free tool for SEOs provides insights about Google search features from an analysis of 60 million US queries.Developed by Local SEO Guide, the Local-Pack-O-Meter tracks data for ten different types of Google search features such as local packs, knowledge panels, shopping, job postings, ads, and more.What separates the Local-Pack-O-Meter apart from other tools that monitor Google search features is the amount of data it has access to.Traject Data, a client of Local SEO Guide, supplies the SERP stats from roughly 60 million US search queries. The significantly larger sample size, compared to similar tools, may result in data that’s more representative of all US queries.“While tools like MozCast have their own versions of a SERP Feature tracker, these are typically only for a relatively...

Read More

16Mar By Loren BakerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Webinar

Proven Local Marketing Strategies to Drive Customer Experience & ROI [Webinar]

Today’s consumer is looking for more personalized, meaningful brand interactions. How can you better connect to maximize your marketing ROI?Join our next sponsored Search Engine Journal webinar on Wednesday, March 24 at 2 p.m. ET.Dan Dillon, VP for Marketing at Reveal Mobile, shares five proven local marketing campaigns you can use right now to reach high-intent audiences.In this presentation, you will learn:Strategies to get customers back into stores.Top-performing CTAs for hyper-personalized ads.How to implement geofencing marketing on Facebook.Targeting tactics to retain customers and win market share.How successful brands use geofencing to create exceptional experiences and drive ROI.Dillon provides a data-rich view into how digital marketers use geofencing and location-based marketin...

Read More

12Mar By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Lets Users Add Photos Without Leaving a Review

Google Maps Photo UpdatesDraw Roads on Google MapsGoogle Maps Community ChallengeGoogle Maps is introducing three new ways for users to add helpful content for others, including the ability to share photos without leaving a review.The Google Maps features announced today aim to make sharing and finding local recommendations easier, and a new community challenge may add some fun to the process.Google Maps Photo UpdatesA new content type will soon be rolled out to Google Maps called photo updates.Photo updates allow users to share experiences and highlights with recent photos without being required to leave a review.A photo update consists of a recent picture of a place with a short text description.To add a photo update, start by selecting a place in Google Maps and going to the “Updates” t...

Read More

6Mar By Winston BurtonNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

12 Proven Local SEO Tips to Dominate the SERPs and Map Pack

Get on a Local Search PlatformUse Structured DataTap Into Google My Business & Optimize for ItUpdate Event StatusAudit Your ListingsManage Your ReputationUse Hyper-Local ContentConnect With Customers via Always-on MessagingMonitor TrendsOptimize for Voice Search & MobileTrack Rankings & Build Out Local Landing PagesDon’t Forget Links Are Still Very ImportantBeing visible on search engine results pages (SERPs) is more important than ever, especially for businesses that have physical brick-and-mortar locations.Restaurants, retail stores, and other types of local businesses have many potential customers looking for your products and services.COVID-19 has changed the way we do business and consumers’ informational needs have grown. Optimizing your local presence is critical for gen...

Read More

2Mar By Adam HeitzmanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Delete or Merge Duplicate Google My Business Listings

A Quick Recap: Why Google My Business Is Essential for SuccessWhy It Is Important to Delete or Merge Duplicate Google My Business ListingsHow to Merge Two Google My Business ListingsHow to Delete a Duplicate Google My Business ListingLet’s say you just moved to the city of Chicago, specifically Lincoln Park, and you want to try their famous pizza.You Google [best pizza in lincoln park] and the search results pop up.You see many businesses representing the best pizza in Chicago. How do you choose?You look at the reviews; a recent study shows that 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation.Not only that, but you consider the convenience factor.Is the pizza joint close?What is the address? Hours of operation?You ultimately decide to get the pizza delivered and ...

Read More

24Feb By John LincolnNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

8 New & Updated Google My Business Features for Local SEO

Google has rolled out several new features and attributes in Google My Business (GMB) since the Coronavirus began.If you’re running a local business, you need to know about those updates so you can get the most out of the platform.In this article, we’ll check out 10 recent changes to Google My Business that you need to check out.1. Health & Safety AttributesLate in 2020, GMB rolled out new attributes so searchers can make informed decisions about the health standards at businesses they may visit.These new GMB attributes are:Appointment required.Mask required.Staff wear masks.Staff get temperature checks.Temperature check required.Keep in mind that f you follow stricter health-related guidelines than your competitors and you advertise those guidelines on GMB, you could very well capture...

Read More

20Feb By Marshall NymanNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, Marketing Analytics, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

7 Local Marketing Measurement Best Practices for Times of Crisis

It’s hard for local marketers to believe that it was just last March our goals were completely upended and we were forced to drastically change how we view local marketing measurement and success for both channels and campaigns.Soft skills such as flexibility and the ability to pivot at the drop of a hat became a non-negotiable requirement.Hard KPIs, as a result, have had to shift as what customers expect from brands requires a heavy lift of development to execute.Curbside pickup, once a service targeted to busy individuals, is no longer a unique value add a brand offers but an expected health & safety protocol for all consumers.The same is true for contactless delivery.What does this mean specifically for local marketing—and particularly, how you measure success?In this post, my colle...

Read More

18Feb By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Wix vs WordPress? Mueller Says Solve Content Issues

Someone tweeted their intention to build a Wix site to test how well it ranks for local search compared to WordPress. John Mueller responded with a series of helpful suggestions, emphasizing that platforms that take care of the technical are ideal for small business owners.Wix Versus WordPressThe initial tweet was about creating a test between Wix and WordPress.Rob May (@robinlmay) tweeted:“Going to get and build a @Wix site and see if I can get it ranking in some local city (here) for #SEO related services (as a test against WordPress) – just to see if it will work. Will take all appropriate steps/measures for best practices. Huh. Wonder how that will go?”Tests Can Be MisleadingOne of the things about SEO tests is that they are subject to interpretation. In other words, the meaning of the...

Read More

17Feb By Adam RiemerNo Comments

Ask an SEO, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Write Meta Descriptions for Store Locations

Today’s Ask An SEO question comes from Sussana in Guatemala. Sussana asks:“What is the best way to write a proper meta description for store locations? Should they contain the store’s phone number?”Thanks for the great question, Sussana!There is no one right way to write a meta description for a store location, but there are plenty of wrong ways.Below, you’ll find what we do when creating meta descriptions for locations for our clients.  These same principles apply to some product, service, and category pages, too.One thing that’s important to note is that meta descriptions likely will not help you rank in Google at this point.They do help you to get more traffic to your website from your rankings, though.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowThink of the meta title as the advertisement that ...

Read More

28Jan By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Search Trends For January 2021

Google is sharing insights about trending searches in Google Maps, a rare set of search data which may assist local marketers.Local search data for the month of January traditionally offers a look into peoples’ New Year’s resolution plans, with searches for gyms, healthy restaurants, winter vacations, and various forms of self improvement spiking during this month.Unique to January 2021, this set of Google Maps search data offers a look into what people are doing when they leave the home during a time when travel is discouraged.The data reveals people are doing a lot of the same things they do every January, with a different approach to it this year.Instead of searching for international travel destinations, people are searching for local travel. Instead of searching for the nearest gym, p...

Read More

20Jan By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Why Was My Google My Business Listing Suspended?

Many local businesses rely on their Google My Business (GMB) listing as a major online marketing tool.In fact, for a large group of small businesses, a GMB profile is their only form of internet marketing.Foolish?Yes.Risky?Yes.But for small local businesses that operate on a tiny marketing budget (or even no budget at all), a free GMB profile is often the only online marketing strategy they have.When they run into issues with Google My Business, those issues can literally put them out of business.One of the biggest stressors to a small business owner in this situation is when their Google My Business listing gets suspended.With a Google My Business suspension, your GMB listing is no longer visible on Google Search or Maps, or you have lost control of your listing (your business listing is ...

Read More

21Dec By Matt SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google My Business to Log Recent Customer Calls

Google My Business is working on a new feature that will allow businesses to see recent customer calls triggered from search results.Google is notifying business owners about this upcoming feature via the GMB. The notification can be seen below:Call history notification in Google My BusinessClicking on Try it out prompts a message saying “You’ll be notified when this feature is available.”AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowCall history in Google My Business is clearly in the early stages of development. But there’s a help page already published where users can learn more about the feature before it launches.Clicking on Learn more links to a help page that reads:“You can use call history to keep track of phone calls from your customers on Google Search and Maps. Your calls are all in one pl...

Read More

21Dec By Sam HollingsworthNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How to Completely Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool from Google that helps business owners manage their online presence across the search engine and its growing portfolio of utilities.Seasoned SEO professionals use GMB listings to leverage a location-based strategyCreating a GMB listing is the first step to local search success.And for good reason.GMB offers the greatest impact for brands seeking local exposure.A feature like Google’s Local Search emphasizes the need for a GMB listing for both new and established businesses.It gives a list of businesses nearby and a lot of information needed to find a specific business like:Business address.Business hours.Category.Reviews.Google’s Knowledge Graph also utilizes verified Google My Business information.AdvertisementContinue Reading BelowIt helps generate...

Read More