TIP: What You Need to Know About Google’s Local Search Three Pack
What You Need to Know About Google’s Local Search Three Pack
By Ben Burns, Manta Director of Customer Acquisition – May 9, 2016
The competition to rank within Google’s local listings is stiffer than ever. The search giant slashed the number of local listings it displays on search results pages from seven down to three. Google has also removed exact business addresses and phone numbers in favor of more prominent business hours, website links and directions.
With these changes in mind, here are three ways you can focus your search engine optimization efforts and improve your rank in Google’s “three pack” of local search listings.
- Local backlinks. Build a consistent presence on online business directories like Manta, YP.com, Whitepages, and Google. Pay special attention to name, address and hours of operation when updating your info, and make sure your business listing is correct wherever it appears.
- Customer reviews. It’s impossible to overstate how much emphasis Google places on customer reviews. Make it a habit to solicit reviews immediately following every customer interaction. Include a request for reviews in every email newsletter and at the end of every customer phone call. And, put a request for reviews and a link on your invoices.
- Website optimization. A mobile-friendly website is key to winning with Google and customers who are searching on-the-go. Embed a Google map with your business marker on your “contact” or “location” page. Then add local keywords, such as city and state, to relevant pages of your website.
To learn more about optimizing your business for local search, attend the Manta Trends webinar “Local Search: The New Ways Customers Find Your Business.”