SEO Local Results

Google is the premiere choice of consumers when it comes to directions and maps. SEO Local Results helps businesses optimize their local maps and Google+ page to drive more sales from mobile, web and tablet consumers.

Did you know that 25% of 1st page search shows local results ?

Consumers these days are IMPATIENT - they want instant results NOW! The internet is the one place other than the library that can answer someones question. Now, being able to find the correct answer at the library may be a little bit harder. With the addition of iphone's SIRI, consumers can now use their voice to pull results from the web or find information about topics or local business information - semantic search at its best!

What does this have to do with Local Maps Optimization?

Offsite - SEO

The key to ranking locally through Local Maps Optimization and your website, is to use Offsite-SEO. Through the use of online advertising, a small business can create blogs, social signals, listings or citations to such sites as Yelp!, Delicious, ShowMeLocal, Blogger and other web properties to strengthen your website locally.

It is important to to make sure your information on your Google Maps, Citations, Social Media Profiles and in general your (N.A.P), are all accurate and up to date. Being able to keep your location consistent online helps the search engines not only find you but also index you properly.

Consistent N.A.P

Google cross-references information across different directories and websites across the Internet, then tries to guess what is the best data available for your business which will be displayed when consumers have a local intent in their search query. 

Name, Address & Phone number (NAP) is important for Local SEO.

Google cares about information that is consistent and spread across hundreds of local directories. It is very importantly that your own website has a NAP attached to it. 39 percent of Internet users say that they frequently have problems finding local businesses online. They know that the businesses exist, but they can't find anything about them on the Internet. If consumers can't find you online, do you think Google can as well ?

83 percent of consumers use search engines to find local businesses. The days of phone books and 411 are gone. Prospective consumers use the internet to find information about a business.

Ties in with other Enhanced Google features

Google+ Local has already changed how people find your business listing on Google. By adding local SEO keywords to your website, social media pages, blogs and Google+ Profile it allows Google to offer its own Google Users services that help your business rank online such as :

• Map of your Business
• Pictures of your Business
• Coupons for your Business
• Reviews posted by other users

Ranking element 1: your address

If you want to get high rankings for keywords that are related to a particular city then your business should be located in that city. If you want to be found for local searches in New York City then your business must have a physical address in New York City.

Ranking element 2: your business category

You must make sure that your business is listed in the correct category in Google Places / Google+ Local. If you sell real estate then your website should not be listed in the automotive category. You can specify the correct category when you submit your website to Google Places / Google+ Local (see below).

Ranking element 3: keywords in your business name

If your business name contains the keywords for which you want to be found then you increase your chance of getting listed in the Google Places results on Google's first result page. If you have a salon, it will help your rankings for the keyword "salon" if your business name is "Michael's Salon".

Ranking element 4: citations of your business

Local NAP or Citations (also called "web references") are mentions of your business name and address on other web pages, even if these web pages do not link to your website.

Citations have a similar effect on local searches as backlinks have on regular website listings. Try to get your website address listed on as many websites as possible to show Google that your business is real.

For example, a yellow pages directory or the local chamber of commerce might list your business without linking to your website. The more citations your business has, the more likely it is that it will be listed for local searches.

Ranking element 5: data consistency

Your business name, address and phone number has to be consistent across the different websites that list your business. If your business is listed with different information then this could be interpreted as a spamming attempt.

Ranking element 6: you must have positive reviews

Google Places / Google+ Local is basically a recommendation search engine. They recommend local restaurants, plumbers, hotels, etc. in the search results. If the recommended businesses offer poor products and poor services then people wouldn't continue to use Google Places.

Positive reviews and ratings help Google to gain more confidence in your company. The more positive reviews your company has, the better. Encourage your customers to write a positive review if they are satisfied with your products and services.


Ranking element 7: proximity to the searched location

If your business is located near to the searched location, it is likely to be displayed in the search results. If you have a hotel near the Norton Art Museum then it's likely that Google will show your Google Places / Google+ Local listing for search terms such as "hotels near Norton Museum".

Learn more at SEO Local Results or call 561.404.9787 for a Free Digital Consultation.

Google+ Local Marketing

30 Day Blogging Challenge -

I will be focusing on the people and businesses who make downtown West Palm Beach special, so if you are a local business and would like to receive free publicity through our Clematis Street marketing channels, please give me a call directly at 561-404-9787 or email me at Lenny@SMDigitalPartners.com -

Thanks for reading and warm regards,

Lenny M. Gomez
Senior Digital Analyst

SMDigital Partners
601 N. Congress Ave. Suite 430
Delray Beach, Fl 33445

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