A Google Business Listing (GBL) is the most influential factor in optimizing local search results. But how do you outrank your competition for local searches?
Here are my top tips:
Step 1: Analyze what the competitor is doing for SEO.
Step 2: Implement more SEO strategies than the competition does.
Types of SEO Strategies
1. Optimize your website for SEO
See our blog post on 5 things to review in your website SEO. And that’s just the beginning, as there are many ways to optimize your website for SEO!
2. Optimize your Google Business Listing
See our blog post “How to make the most of your free Google Business Listing” to start optimizing your listing.
3. Get more Google Reviews
One of the most commonly overlooked features in GBL is that owners can post responses to reviews. It is a great practice to respond to every single review, good or bad. This shows that you are engaged with your customers, aware of their needs and concerns, and makes it easier to deal with negative reviews if or when they may occur.
4. Get more backlinks to your business
Backlinks are created when one website links to another. Google views these as building credibility for your website and boosts your rankings accordingly.
5. Write more high ranking blogs
Because Google gives higher priority to websites with fresh content, the more often you update your blog, the more traffic it generates.
6. Create more high ranking videos
According to BrightEdge, users are more likely to click through to a particular search listing when Google has recognized it has video content. Visitors tend to spend longer on sites with videos, plus websites with videos will have backlinks in them—two really important measures for Google rankings.
7. Post more photos and information to your Google Business Listing
Do you know what your Google Business Listing looks like? You have the ability to make a great first impression when someone googles your business. Take the time to get your listing claimed and keep it updated! See our blog post “How to make the most of your free Google Business Listing” for tips on optimizing your listing.
8. Be more active on social media
Benefits of being active on social media include improved online visibility and organic traffic, increased brand recognition, enhanced brand reputation, and boosts in local search engine optimization.
9. Review rankings and progress
Open an incognito browser tab and Google your business name. We recommend you review your GBL and organic Google search results monthly and keep an eye on trends that may arise in your industry.
10. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!