As Google Local evolves and becomes ever more complicated (and frustrating for many), it’s easy to get stuck in the trap of old style Local SEO. I loved this Whiteboard Friday from SEOMoz with David Mihm.
Google Local Ranking
David Mihm is the creator of the Local Search Ranking Factors survey, which is possibly the nearest thing to the bible of Local SEO. It’s well worth wading through if you plan on ranking locally.
What do you need to rank locally?
- A website with local signals
- Claim your Google Places (Places is changing again as we speak)
- Citations from sources around the web (get started with a list of 20 popular UK sources by completing the boxes below)
- Gather reviews (great templates here from Whitespark)
- Add G+ authorship and start connecting on Google Plus
Need help?
Simply get in touch – I offer affordable local websites and Google Places listings all optimised and connected up to G+ for you.
Over to you…
What problems do you have with local search? As Google+ is becoming more important, both for local and other rankings, have you set up your profile? Connect with here (say hi and I’ll circle you back!)
Evolution of Google Local Algorithm [Video] by Jan Kearney
Grab your guide to local search and learn:
- What elements are important on your website
- How to set up your Google My Business Local Page
- How Google Plus can help you zoom past your competitors
- Two things you should not neglect if you want to rank in the local search pack
- How to power past your competitors and dominate your area
Simply add your name and best email address in the box below and I'll whizz your report and worksheet straight over to you.
Don't worry, I hate spam too (probably more than you!) I'll never trade, share, sell, exchange your email address or any other jiggery pokery.
question – what are local signals ?
Hi Jonathan, local signals are basically letting Google know where you are based. So for example, if you offered live training workshops offline to businesses, you would ensure that your business name and address was on each page of your website, preferably using mark-up such as Schema.org. You’d include your location as part of your page title etc. Hope that helps!
Great resource. I need to start focusing more on my local readers.
Hi Ellen, local is often over-looked and can be very useful! Thanks for popping in 🙂
Thanks for sharing the white board tip from SEOmoz.
It’s always so much fun to try and stay up with all the changes.
Fun… That’s one way of putting it Denys! Thanks for popping in 🙂
That’s very useful and interesting thanks Jan. Will add it to my FB business page.
Thanks, Joy. I appreciate it 🙂
Hey Jan, this is way over my head! LOL however, very useful!
It does get complicated when you don’t follow local. That’s why people need a local business consultant (not biased again there…) Thanks for calling in, Debra 🙂
I do the usual SEO stuff, but the other aspects (Google places) and stuff like that – I’m not sure if it applies to my online business.
I guess it remains to be seen.
It’s interesting to see how Google evolved though and I wasn’t aware that I was online marketing 10 years before Google became a household name. LOL
Interesting tidbits. thankss for sharing!
You’re showing your age now, Bonnie! (I can’t talk, I’ve been online that long too lol)