How to Rank Higher on Google as a Local Business in 2023

Introduction

As a web design and digital solution agency, Devbo knows the importance of having a strong online presence. One key aspect of this is ranking highly on Google as a local business, as it can help attract more local customers to your business. In this blog post, we will share some tips for getting your company website and Google profile to show up on the first page of local search results.

14 Key Strategies to Rank Higher on Google as a Local Business

1. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing: One of the first things you should do to rank higher on Google as a local business is claim and optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Maps and in local search results.
   To claim your GMB listing, go to https://www.google.com/business/ and follow the prompts. Make sure to include as much information as possible, including your business name, address, phone number, website, and business hours. You should also add photos and categories that accurately describe your business.
2. Use local keywords: Incorporating local keywords into your website and GMB listing can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business. For example, if your business is a restaurant in New York City, you should include keywords like “New York City restaurant” and “NYC restaurant” throughout your website and GMB listing.
3. Get listed in local directories: In addition to optimizing your GMB listing, you should also get listed in other local directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and the Better Business Bureau. This can help improve your visibility in local search results and attract more customers to your business.
4. Encourage customers to leave reviews: Google uses customer reviews as a ranking factor in local search results. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing and other local directories. Make sure to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, as this can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business.
5. Use schema markup: Schema markup is a type of code that helps search engines understand the content on your website. By adding schema markup to your website, you can improve how your business appears in local search results. For example, you can use schema markup to specify your business name, address, phone number, and other important information.
6. Use NAP consistency: NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. It’s important to have consistent NAP information on your website and GMB listing, as well as in local directories. Inconsistent NAP information can confuse search engines and negatively impact your ranking on Google as a local business.
7. Use social media to your advantage: Having a strong social media presence can also help improve your ranking on Google as a local business. Make sure to include your business name, address, and phone number on all of your social media profiles and use local keywords in your social media posts.
8. Optimize your website for mobile: More and more people are using their smartphones to search for local businesses. Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices, as this can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business.
9. Use long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are specific and descriptive phrases that are more likely to be used by someone searching for a local business. For example, instead of just using the keyword “restaurant,” you might use a long-tail keyword like “vegetarian restaurant in New York City.” Using long-tail keywords can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business and attract more targeted traffic to your website.
10. Keep an eye on your competition: It’s important to keep an eye on what your competitors are doing to rank higher on Google as a local business. Look at their GMB listings and websites, and see what strategies they are using. You can then use this information to improve your own local SEO efforts and rank higher on Google.
11. Use Google Posts: Google Posts is a feature of GMB that allows you to share updates and information about your business with potential customers. You can use Google Posts to share promotions, events, and other important updates. This can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business and attract more customers to your business.
12. Use Google Ads: Google Ads is a paid advertising platform that allows you to bid on specific keywords and have your business show up at the top of local search results. While it does require a budget, using Google Ads can be an effective way to rank higher on Google as a local business and attract more customers to your website.
13. Utilize on-page SEO: On-page SEO refers to the optimizations you can make to your website to improve its ranking on search engines. This includes things like title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags. By optimizing your on-page SEO, you can improve your ranking on Google as a local business and attract more targeted traffic to your website.
14. Build high-quality backlinks: Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. Having high-quality backlinks from reputable websites can help improve your ranking on Google as a local business. You can build backlinks by creating valuable content and reaching out to other websites and bloggers to ask them to link to your website.

By following these tips, you can improve your ranking on Google as a local business and attract more customers to your website. If you need help with your local SEO efforts, Devbo is here to help. As a web design and digital solution agency, we have the skills and expertise to help you rank higher on Google and succeed online. Contact us today to learn more.

Additional resources to learn more about ranking higher on Google as a local business:

• Google My Business Help Center: https://support.google.com/business
• Local SEO Guide: https://www.localseoguide.com/
• Moz Local SEO Guide: https://moz.com/learn/local
• BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey: https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/

These resources provide detailed information on topics such as optimizing your GMB listing, building backlinks, using local keywords, and much more. They can help you understand the best practices for ranking higher on Google as a local business and attract more customers to your website.