How to Rank in Google's Local Pack: A Step-by-Step Guide
Local search engine optimisation (SEO) is a strategy used by businesses to improve their local visibility, reaching their local community. Eighty five percent of consumers rely on the internet when searching for local businesses.
At the top of Google search engine results pages (SERPs), there is often a Google Local Pack. This is three business listings, appearing on a map. When your business features in the Local Pack, its a prime spot, ensuring you are noticed by consumers that are looking for the products and/or services you provide in a certain geographic location.
Google's local pack is a very obvious section you will see on the first page of Google SERPs. It is prominent when users search for local information. Featured businesses can appear in a list of three companies, along with a map that highlights their location.
This is a prime position for any local business, helping to boost visibility, driving local and qualified traffic to your website and physical location.
In order to rank in Google's local pack, you will need to optimise your online presence, focusing on local SEO. Continue reading our step by step guide on how to rank in Google's Local Pack:
This is the first priority when it comes to ranking in Google's Local Pack. You need to create or claim your business listing on this free tool provided by search engine giant, Google. Visit the Google Business Profile website, following the steps to add your business information. Ensure you complete all information, while optimising it for local SEO. You will also need to verify your business by mail or phone to confirm legitimacy.
Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) must remain the same across all platforms, from your website to your Google Business Profile, directory listings, and social media. NAP consistency provides credibility, also ensuring your potential consumers can get in contact with you easily.
In order to improve your ranking in local search results, you need to understand what words and phrases your audience use when searching for products and services you provide. Ensure you include your town, city, or area name in the keywords to improve your local SEO efforts. Google Keyword Planner is an excellent tool to identify local keywords based on search volume. Remember, long-tail keywords, have lower competition, yet they offer higher conversions.
Optimise your website using your selected local keywords. These keywords should be included in service pages, where you focus on specific locations. Create landing pages that is dedicated to each area you provide your products or services to. This helps to boost website visibility and relevance to your local community.
With on-page SEO, don't forget to include schema markup, ensure your site is mobile friendly, and easy to navigate.
Create blogs and articles to discuss local events, news, or highlight your business contributions to your local community. This helps to position you as an authority figure. When you establish authority, you boost credibility and visibility within your community, improving your local rankings.
Citations are business name, address, and phone number mentions. Sometimes they include a link to your website. These are directory listings with consistent NAP data. The more accurate citations you have, the more Google will trust your website, which increases your chances of being featured in Google's Local Pack
Online reviews are essential to your local SEO success. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile and other review sites. With a high review score, you increase your chances of appearing in Google's Local Pack.
Link building is essential to your SEO success. You will want to focus on local backlinks for your local SEO efforts. These are links that come from websites that are related to your community or industry within your geographical area.
You can acquire local backlinks by joining a business association, being active within your community, along with sponsoring local events.
Regularly monitoring your local search performance is essential, enabling you to make data driven decisions to improve your local SEO. Google Analytics is excellent in measuring traffic, while Google Search Console, provides information on how often your website appears in results.
Appearing in Google's Local Pack can boost brand visibility and drive local customers to your website and physical location. Follow the steps outlined above to help you improve your local SEO efforts and gain a competitive edge. Each step is only part of a larger local SEO strategy that requires ongoing attention, monitoring, and adjusting. Do you need help making your business visible in local search results? Genie Crawl are standing by right now to assist.
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