For the large majority of small businesses, local search is what you need to focus on in the online world. A huge part of local search is getting top listing in Google maps displayed in Google search results. For many clients these Google map results garner more clicks than regular search results. This is a pretty big deal.
I work with a wide variety of clients in different local industries that all share one thing in common: they want the top position in Google maps in Google search results. This is smart thinking.
Here's are some tips to start working your way towards the top. (Reach for the sky baby.)
Claim Your Google Local Listing
The first thing you need to do is go to Google Local Business Center and claim your existing listing or create a new one if you dont see your business listed already. Google collects data from sources like the Yellow Pages, so there is a good chance it's already there.
Now make sure you fill out everything. The more information you include the better it is for your business. This includes adding as many photos as youre allowed and adding yourself to as many relevant categories as possible (up to 5). Also make sure the address you use for your Google Local listing is the same address you have listed on your website.
Note (added April 21, 2010): Google Local Business Center has changed its name to Google Places.
Optimize Your Site with Local Terms
You don't need to go overboard with this one. Having the name of your city in some page titles and headers will certainly help though. The most important task is to make sure that you have your address listed on your website. Also include any relevant areas of town if you're a location specific destination. (Like a clothing store or a restaurant.)
Get Listed in Local Directories
Directory listings from websites specific to your city are a great way to help you achieve some local pull in Google maps. A quick and easy way to find some local directories is to search for {name of city} + directory.
Encourage Reviews
All Google Maps listings have an option to leave a review, so encourage some of your favorite customers or clients to leave a review for you. If you happen to be in the travel and tourism industry, gently persuade happy customers to leave reviews on popular review sites like TripAdvisor. When you take a look at the top Google maps results youll notice that the top listings will have a good amount of reviews.
Build Up Your Citations
Citation building is different than link building because a citation may not always include an actual link. As long as the full address matches the address on your website, its counted as a citation and helps boost your position in Google Local search results.
Check out Google maps results in a competitive industry (such as the Seattle hotel industry) and you notice top listings have more citations than lower listings - in most cases. Citations are not the sole deciding factor, but they definitely help. When you view a Google Map listing in its entirety there is a section called More about this place. This is a great place to find citations from people competing in the same local industry as you.
Start Building Citations Now
Why not start now? Here are some citations to start you off on the right path.
- Yelp
City Search
Bing Local
BOTW Local
Brownbook.net
infoUSA
Superpages
Insider Pages
Hot Frog
Local.com
iBegin
Yahoo! Local
Feel free to contribute any citation or local directory sources you've found to be useful. Sharing is always encouraged!
Stephanie Woods is a freelance internet marketer living in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She has been working in advertising and marketing for 10 years now. If you are interested in getting in touch with Steph you can reach her here. Or, you can find her on Twitter as @steph_woods.
Very nice post. I was recently thinking about Local Search for one of my sites. Do you know if its possible to be added for multiple keywords on the local business results? for example a hardware store that sells items from plumbing, electrical to appliances
Great and concise path to local listing success Stephanie! This article should be required reading (and top priority) for every business that has a local presence.
Fantastic advice, thanks!
I’ve never actually had much success with local search SEO, but hopefully you’ve pointed me in the right direction.
Thanks again.
Jaime – You can rank for multiple words for sure. If I Google “plumbing supplies” here in Canada, Rona.ca shows up in the Google maps results. You have the option to select up to 5 categories on your Google Local listing.
Alan – Many thanks!
Andy – If you follow the advice on this list you’ll be certain to see some results. Depending on how competitive your market is, it might take some time. The good news is that you can make it happen with a little leg work. Best of luck to you!
Stephanie –
What a great resource for local optimization. I appreciate your willingness to share you information and I will definitely include these as a resource in our SEO training course. Thank you!
Shelly
Very nicely written Ms Woods — I’ve been giving clients this same information over the phone (in painful detail) for what seems like forever; now I can just send them here.
Great info!
John Barremore
Houston, TX
Spot on and great concise post.
Just a tiny correction: Google Local Business is called “Google Places” now
Buzzhound – It is great when people share their knowledge. I learned a great deal from others online when I first started out and I like to pay it forward.
Visible Dentist – Great that I can help you out! It can get a bit cumbersome trying to explain these things over the phone for sure. I actually refer clients to my posts all of the time.
Omzen – Thanks for the compliment. I see that Google changed the name to Google Places earlier this week. (At the time of this post is was still Google Local though!) I’ll make a editorial note.
Hi Stephanie,Thanks for the priceless information on Local search results. do you happen to know if “google places” has been rolled out to the U.K yet?
Andrew Bowen
Llanelli, Wales,U.K
Hi Steph Woods,
First I wants to say you thanks!! After reading your Article i submit my site in the Local Business,Now it show in the google maps!
“GREAT Resources of Local optimization ,i Read before!!! “
Sorry for these latent responses guys!
Andrew – Not sure. It’s really just a name change. Funny enough – if you search for “google places” here you don’t get the right result. You still need to search with “google local” to find the right place to login (you’d think Google would have more pull on their own search results hey?)
Asif – You’re welcome. Always glad to be of assistance. 🙂
Im going to try all of the above and I will let you know if it works. Fingers crossed.
Judith – Please do let me know if it works! Depending on how competitive your industry is it can take time. So keep at it and best of luck.
Useful tips Stephanie. One more: get inbound links from “local” sites related to the geographical area, even if these links come from off-topic sites (example: the elementary school of Metropolis links to the Grand Hotel of Metropolis).
Ciaoo!