What is local SEO and How to Rank on Google Map?

Let’s try to understand local SEO with a real world example;

Suppose you are looking for a beauty salon and when you enter the term beauty salon, Google will show you the nearest beauty salons, it’s local SEO. Businesses that are operating in local areas want to show their products or services to the local users. Businesses operating in specific locales aim to showcase their products or services to local users, making it imperative to be prominently featured in local search results.

The crux of local SEO lies in connecting with local users; failure to do so may result in a lack of clientele. To comprehend the intricacies of local SEO, let’s discuss the key components and how businesses can rank on Google Maps.

Local SEO Ranking Factors

Google Business Profile Creation and Optimization

The cornerstone of local SEO success is the creation and optimization of a Google business profile. Consider a scenario where a law firm struggled to gain visibility, despite working with various SEOs. Upon auditing the business profile, it was evident that both on-page and off-page elements were lacking. By implementing on-page SEO strategies, the business profile quickly rose to prominence on the Map Pack for multiple keywords, attracting regular clients.

Key steps for optimizing your business profile include:

• Crafting a comprehensive business description with natural keyword inclusion.
• Selecting a primary category.
• Adding and optimizing services/products.
• Including contact information and working hours.
• Enabling messaging for user interaction.
• Providing relevant details and links to your website and social profiles.
• Consistently publishing new, high-quality content.

Achieving Google Map Pack

Securing a spot in the Google Map Pack ensures a steady influx of business. Google displays only three results in the Map Pack, necessitating diligent efforts to secure a top-ranking position. Beyond creating and verifying your business profile, effective on-page and off-page SEO is crucial. A recent Google update from November 2023 emphasis the significance of “openness” as a ranking factor. In off-page SEO, listing your business in local directories and maintaining name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistency is important.

Avoiding Google Business Profile Suspension

Google Business Profile suspension is a concern for many, but adhering to Google’s guidelines prevents such issues. Suspensions often arise from the misguided practices of inexperienced SEO individuals. Common pitfalls leading to suspensions include:

• Adding irrelevant keywords to the business name.
• Engaging in keyword stuffing.
• Publishing fake reviews.

There are some other factors but these 3 are the major factors in suspension of Google Business Profile formerly known as Google My Business

Conclusion

Your business’s growth depends on online visibility, making local SEO an indispensable aspect of your strategy. The journey to success involves partnering with a proficient local SEO expert. With a track record of elevating over 200 businesses onto the Google Map Pack, our expertise could be the catalyst your business needs for the next breakthrough. Contact us today, and let your business shine in the local search.