Local SEO & Google My Business
Understanding Local Search Intentions
Understanding Google My Business and Local SEO
We covered how to setup your Google My Business page and verify your information in another article. If you have not set up or claimed your free listing then you should do so now.
Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to verify and submit your business information to Google. Think of this like an online profile for your business that includes your name, address, email, website and reviews.
Often, this is the first thing any potential customer will see when you search for a product or service locally. Any legitimate business with an address is eligible for a free listing.
If you don’t have a physical brick+mortar store-front, and you operate out of your home address – don’t worry. You just setup your account as a “Service Area Business” if you deliver or provide products / services in the local area. This way, you don’t have to have your home address displayed for all to see.
How does it effect me?
By creating or claiming your business on Google My Business, you essentially telling Google that you are a real business in the local area. You’re saying these are my hours, here is my information to contact me or connect and I am open for business.
Google then takes the physical address of your business as a starting point for relevant searches within your local area.
For example, a cleaning company in Dallas, TX is not going to show up in the results if I search for “cleaning companies near me” in Pittsburgh, PA.
Google has one overall mission for it’s company and that is to provide relevant information to the people who are searching. If you don’t have verified details about your business out there then Google will promote other businesses over yours in the search results.
You can learn how to optimize and setup your Google My Business listing here: The Ultimate Guide to Google My Business for 2020
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Additional parts in the Local SEO for small business series.
- What is Local SEO?
- Local SEO & Google My Business
- How to Optimize your Website for Local Search
- How do Google Review Help My Business?
- Social Media & Local SEO
- Local Citations
- In-bound links – What are they and how to get them
Want to Rank Locally?
Voyage Media Works offers Local SEO services that cover all the topics here. Our team works with businesses to get their listings and website optimized.
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