Changes to Local Search Results and how to improve your online visibility
What was once separately referred to as Google Local and Google Business has now come together and intertwined into “Google My Business.”
As a result there have been a few changes on Google Local Search Results. It is important to update your local listings, if you haven’t already done so. Below are the changes made and how to update your page.
Due to changes in local search results, it is important that you update your business information (such as: location map, contact details, multiple links) so that it is transferrable on a mobile device.
To optimise your SEO ranking – ensure your Google+ page is integrated with map results. This can be updated via your updated Google My Business account.
If you want to be found by customers through Google – being presented amongst the “Google 7 Pack” would be a great way to increase your online visibility. You could be located above the standards search results as Google’s top 7 from a local keyword search – e.g. ‘Restaurants in London.’
Here are a few tips to maximise your ranking position and potentially be amongst the “Google 7 Pack”:
- Ensure you have your full address on your site, with reference to city/location in the metadata.
- Get some good local links – e.g. local business directories
- Share valuable content and interact with people on your Google+ page
- Ideally get good reviews for your business
