Search engine optimization has evolved several times since the concept first came to light, and as a business owner who must constantly find ways to improve your page’s SEO rankings, you have had to no doubt evolve along with it. Businesses that do not keep pace with new trends and cling to old SEO techniques usually find themselves failing, and one of these newer trends is to remain relevant in local business search listings. No matter what search engine you register with or what SEO keywords you use, being visible in local directories can give your business that extra online presence you have been looking for.
Local Listings Can Boost Visibility
Google has typically led the way when it comes to listing local directories and offering the most complete information at a glance. When people search for a business, the first results that usually pop up are local listings for that customer’s area, along with the contact information. Getting into this listing can be vital for the success of your business.
While investing in local listings might seem unimportant to you because you believe that your SEO ranking is already high enough to bring new traffic to your site, cornering the market on local business is just as important, especially if you have both a website and a brick-and-mortar establishment. One may not be successful without the other.
The Google 3-Pack
When customers search businesses in their area, the listings that pop up toward the top of the search and that are listed in numerical order are known by SEO-savvy business owners as the 3-pack. Before a 2016 update, this was formerly known as the 7-pack. These results are the most highly optimized sites and have the highest relevancy in terms of what was searched for. If you have a brick-and-mortar site, having your business listed here can be important for the success of your business, especially if it is located in a locale that is not visible from a street.
It is important to note that creating a Google+ for Business page may increase your chances of making the 3-pack. To get into local directories, you should create and optimize one of these pages. When you completely fill out the information on your business page and the more relevant the information is, the better the chances are that you will make the 3-pack listing.
Local Listings Are More Relevant Than Ever
Having a local business presence both in the community and online is more important than ever. Northeastern’s online mba school of business notes that marketing trends are changing, and no matter where your business is located, whether in a small town or a relatively large city, local business success can depend largely on your internet presence and whether your listing is one that consistently ranks high. When you are creating your new business page, remember that when people are looking for a business, they are much more likely to start with a local search before they look for other options.
Considering the ever-changing face of online marketing and how SEO and search engines like Google are connected should be a priority for you as a business owner. Algorithms are changed and modified, and with every new update, you may have to roll with the changes and ensure that your rankings and your local listing information remains relevant and effective. If you fall behind the times, it may have a negative effect on your business.
Having your business listed in local directories online can be important to the success of your business, no matter its size or location. While it is only one facet of a formula that can bring your company into the local limelight, taking the time to learn about this marketing tool may help you do so with more ease and confidence.
