A Few Considerations for Ranking Well in Google Maps Local Search
Posted By Industrial Web Solutions Marketing Team on December 3, 2009
Ranking well in Google Maps Local Search results offers the same challenges as ranking well for general search. Think of it from Google’s perspective: the engine desires to present its users with legitimate search results that represent the most relevant match to their query.
It is highly recommended to approach local search on both your website and within your Google Local Business Center listing. Dedicate a page of your website to specifying what you are offering and where, particularly your homepage if you are targeting local business exclusively.
Listing: You are only allowed so many characters in your Google Local Business Center listing so use them effectively. Try to mention your location along with your service and company name.
Categories: Next, select your categories carefully being sure to choose ones that accurately identify what you are offering.
Description: Providing a description of what you offer that matches the information found on the landing page it links to via the Provided by the business owner link helps to strengthen the legitimacy and relevancy of your claim.
Linking from big directories like Superpages.com or important organizations like the BBB helps to boost your relevancy score with Google. As a result, Google will link to your listing as a way of legitimizing your business to its users.
For example:
Details from Superpages.com: If you have a listing with Superpages.com Google will pick it up and include it here (another form of legitimizing your business to the consumer/buyer). Given that understanding, make sure the information you add to your Superpages.com listing corresponds to the information you add to your Google Local Business Center listing.
Details for the BBB: If you are a member of the BBB Google will include the date you joined and a link to your membership info on the BBB website.
Conclusion: Keyword phrases for location as well as product/service, landing page content, and linking from reputable sources like Superpages.com all matter very much to Google Maps Local Search. Make sure your website and all listing information corresponds to and supports the exact location and audience you are trying to target. Help Google to provide its users with high quality information and you are likely to be rewarded with a higher ranking.
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