Are you concerned about not seeing your business listing on Google Search & Maps?

Are you concerned about not seeing your business listing on Google Search and Maps? Google calls this a “Local Ranking”. Google search was the first to use a ranking system to prioritize search results. They do not share the specific factors for ranking (called Google search algorithm). It is kept confidential to make the ranking system as fair as possible. However, there are things we do know about the ranking system the basics of which I have included below. I will go into more detail in further articles. These basic steps are very important for every business owner & manager to take. I spend a lot of time with business owners who want to get the best results possible & this is what we do to get the best results. Get results & grow your business! 

Want to see how your business website & business information is being represented across the entire digital landscape? Scan your online presence from our Multi-Platform Synchronization page & get an instant report showing how well you are represented online. 

So here are the top things to do to improve your Google Search Ranking:

1. Own your data. Owning your data means you claim your business listings and get your information out across all platforms (not just Google) because everywhere you show up helps you be more relevant to the search. The basics are to claim your Google My Business location: www.google.com/business and also create a Google+ page & Facebook Page. When you claim your business location I highly recommend using the post card method. It will get you a better result. There are about 70 sites we use in our listing synchronization network which you can see here.

2. Correct your data. The search engine looks for accurate & reliable information which means once you have control of your listings you need to put out your basic info on all of these platforms. Make sure it all matches, all addresses & phone numbers are accurate, and your business category is correct. You also need to delete duplicate listings. Duplicates confuse the search engine and makes your info less relevant.

Google's Help Page: Learn How To Edit Your Business Information On Google

3. Regularly update your data. Do postings across all the sites and use pictures, links, your business name, location, category, & key words. You can do postings on Google My Business, Google+, Facebook, etc. even if you don’t think you have a big audience on any of these sites it is still important to update them because the web is looking for you to be present in as many places as possible with local, relevant, updated data.

Google's Help Page: Learn How To Add Local Business Photos & Videos

4. Reviews!! Yes, you need to do this. It is super important. Get everyone in your business to engage getting customer reviews. Send out a link directly to your Google business listing & Facebook account. Get those reviews! The more specific information people give on the reviews the better your search results will be. Searches are weighing local search results heavily on connecting with your community & this means feedback through Google Reviews! Ask people to include key words, specific information about what you offer, where to park, how much your products/services cost. The more specific information the better the results. Make sure to respond & thank them for the reviews. Any negative reviews require thoughtful responses. If you show you care about customer experience it will mean a lot in your results. 

Google's Help Page: Learn About Responding To Reviews

I hope this information helps all you business owners out there improve your local Google search ranking. We are here to help so reach out with your questions support@maingoesbig.com