Sometimes it feels like getting customers to walk through the door is all that we need to be successful as business owners. How can you show your great customer service skills if people aren’t coming through the door? We believe in the value that you bring to our community, and we are here to drive traffic to your business. At Desert Mountain Digital we have cracked the code of what makes your business float to the top of Google searches.
Local Search is a type of Search Engine Optimization which takes into consideration the ways that local shoppers conduct local searches. Shoppers in our community are using mobile devices to look up local businesses. The numbers are astonishing: Half of all mobile searches are specifically looking for a business address!
Local Search
46% of Google searches have local intent
50% of mobile searches are for a business address
93% of Google local searches show the local 3 pack
72% of local searchers visit stores within 5 miles
18% of local searches result in a sale within one day
95% of consumers 18-34 read online reviews
85% of consumers trust online reviews
Reviews are the 3rd most important ranking signal on local searches
Top of The Search Results
Your Business Will Appear Differently For Each Person
Although there are many search engines that people use to search for local businesses, professionals agree that if you can rank well on Google then you will receive a healthy amount of traffic. Looking at the Google search results, we can see that there are two types of results pages: Regular results and Local results.
Whenever Google identifies a search as having local potential they include a map along with the local 3 pack. The Local 3 Pack identifies the three businesses that most closely match the search request. There are lots of things which can influence whether or not your business appears here, including proximity to the person searching, the keywords they entered, your businesses reviews, your online business listings and more.
Keep in mind that if you are searching for your business online while at your storefront then you could receive different results than the person who is across town.
Owning Local Search
Here's What You Need To Appear In Local Search
Although there are hundreds of ranking signals used by Google and other search engines to determine which businesses should show first for any particular search, you can improve your odds. Since Google wants to give consumers the best possible match for their needs, your business needs to stand out among the competition.
We break this down into three basic groups.
Presence In Online Directories
Google considers other online business directories as a valuable reference when determining which business to display. Businesses with strong referrals are more likely to be established and capable of serving the needs of people searching. Keep in mind that not all directories are created equal, and some will carry more weight for your particular niche.
Accurate And Consistent Information Online
Your business information needs to appear consistently everywhere it shows up online. Having multiple phone numbers, address variations, or old business names floating around online is going to hurt your online presence. You might even end up losing customers if they try to contact you using outdated information they found on some old directory listing.
Online Reviews
Reviews can make or break your business. Not enough reviews will make your business appear to be new. Poor reviews will turn away customers. Good reviews will actually cause your business to appear in certain special searches. For example "best plumbers in Billings" includes plumbers who have 4 or more stars on Google reviews.
Want Us To Send You A Comprehensive Report Of Your Local Search Visibility?
