Search engine optimization (SEO) is an inherent part of a marketing plan for any business. There are many components to an effective SEO campaign, and local search is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful components.
Search engines goal is to provide their users with the most valuable results for their searches. Search engines like Google, want to be able to provide the most personalized results, which includes providing users with information that is based on their location.
For example, if a person is search for a dentist, Google would automatically provide listings to dentists in that users area. This makes it easier for the user to access information that is pertinent to their search results. But this local search listing service isn’t only advantageous to users; it is also beneficial to business owners.
In fact, 40 percent of all mobile searches are done with the purpose of finding local information; a restaurant, a doctor, a store, etc. Search engines, particularly Google, are weighing the local search listings very heavily in how the rank websites. This means that if you want your website to receive a high ranking on Google, you’re going to need to take advantage of local search optimization. Making the most of your Google+ Local Listing will help you assert your presence in the local search results, increase your rankings and boost your overall success.
So, how do you go about optimizing your Google+ Local Listing? – Here are some helpful tactics to try:
Google+ Business:
Switch out your Google+ Local profile for a Google+ Business profile. This will allow you to take advantage of both local and social features. Doing so will allow you to share videos, posts and other information on Google+ while building your following and showcasing your information to prospective customers who are in your local area.
Stay Relevant:
It is imperative that you choose the right categories for your business. There are several categories on Google+, but choosing the categories that are most closely related to your business will allow users who are searching for the products and services that your business offers to actually find your business. Makes sense, right?
Detailed Profile:
When filling out your profile, make sure that you include all of the pertinent details of your business. This includes the name, the physical address, the email address, phone number, website address, operating hours, as well as a very clear and detailed description of your business. The more information you offer, the better.
Adhere to Guidelines:
Google has put forth several guidelines for their local listings service. In order to make the most of the local search results, it is imperative that you stick to these guidelines, as doing so will make Google happy, and will make your business more visible (which will make you happy).
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews:
People often want to know what others experience with a business is before they make a decision to work with said business. That said, Google also takes these reviews into account when ranking businesses. So, be sure to encourage reviews to be shared anyway you can, as the will certainly help to increase your local search ranking.
Local search is a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Not taking full advantage of this tool by not optimizing can prove to have a very costly impact on your business. By employing these tactics, you can increase your visibility, boost your exposure, generate more traffic and enhance your success, overall.
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