Ensure Your Agency’s Success With Google Local Results

If you have any kind of small business, getting a noticeable position on the results page can be all but impossible. But Google’s local search results, which usually appear after the first few regular/organic results, give local businesses a fighting chance by showing results that are based on your area. Google has very recently announced changes to how they generate their local search results, some of which have taken effect already. The search engine giant won’t actually go into detail about the specifics, but it could make it harder or easier for your business to get noticed in the results, depending on your industry and area. Since Google is constantly tweaking the way they generate their results, you’ve got to make sure that you are on top of your game to maximize your chances of showing up in the results. Here are some tips to get you on the right track:

1. Make sure your business is added and verified on Google Local: You’re not going to get anywhere by not participating in the first place, so the first step is to register your business. The more pertinent information you provide, the easier it will be for you to be found.
2. Get Reviews from on Reputable Directories: The new update makes it even easier to find specific businesses on Yelp and other business directories, so getting positive feedback from customers can be a major boom to your online presence. Reviews can add credibility to your agency and allow you to interact with your customers. You want to encourage your customers to give feedback, but you don’t want to flat-out ask for the reviews. For example, when you know you’ve had a positive interaction, casually mention your presence on Yelp.
3. Pay Attention to the Details: According to Google, the new update will make greater use of features such as spelling correction, which makes sure everything they display in their results utilizes correct spelling, and synonyms, which looks for keyword-stuffed content. Make sure your content is original and triple-check it for grammar to make sure you’re getting the most out of your website.
4. Make your local presence known: Whether you’re blogging about community events or linking to business partners, you should make it known that you’re a figure in the community. It can have a positive effect on your local results, but it’s also a great thing to remember across the board. After all, your local status is one of the main advantages your agency has over the big corporations.

If you’re not ranked, don’t worry; it can take a lot of time and perseverance, even in the local section. All you can do is keep trying!