Local search optimisation

[Ray_UK]

One of the major keywords in our industry “fireplaces” is now viewed as a local search phrase & Google seems to be displaying website results that it views to be local businesses. We have 2 stores, and for some reason they do not appear high on the rankings despite us having a physical location near by... can anyone help?

Also, we have a verified location on Google place, but even that doesn’t appear.

[HarveyP]

Hey Ray

I couldn't find your places listing anywhere. However you do seem to have very few local listings which would likely have an effect on your local rankings.

Check out this search:

"01909 449 501" -creativefireplaces.co.uk

It only shows 13 results, much less than I would have expected.

Have you changed your number at any point as consistent  NAP details are very important.

[Ray_UK]

Thanks Harvey

Our local listing is https://plus.google.com/107506644864807163902/posts

But for some reason it doen't seem to appear and our site doesn't show for local searches but is much stronger than the ones that do appear.

[HarveyP]

Hey

Sure, but is your local listing much stronger? It looks like it's not as you seem to have very few citations from a super quick hunt.

http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml

Check out the above link (it's a LONG read!), as these are the kinds of things you proabably need to be considering.

[Ray_UK]

Thanks Harvey ... will look through that .Is there any way of telling Google where you are located in WebMaster tools or something like that... perhaps im missing something simple

[HarveyP]

Well, you tell Google where you are specifically located (city) via places rather than GWT.

It looks to me that your local listing is completely unoptimised.

There are no pictures or videos and the listing looks incomplete, plus it seems you have very few citations etc.

You're not ranking in local search and your listing is very weak compared to others so it makes sense.

Don't get me wrong, I've only spent 5 minutes looking at it, but IMO you need to look at local factors. The link I posted will show you lots of the things you need to do.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Ray,

Harvey is definitely pointing you in the right direction. Definitely read David Mihm's Local Search Ranking Factors. It is the premiere annual industry report. *Do bear in mind that the last report (I'm a yearly participant) was published just prior to the launch of the whole Google+ Local system, so it does not reflect that big change. Here are 2 pieces I send my own clients when they are just getting acquainted with Local:

The Zen of Local SEO
http://www.solaswebdesign.net/wordpress/?p=1314

The Rudiments of Local
SEO http://www.solaswebdesign.net/wordpress/?p=1344

Local ranking factors are very diverse...there may be more than 200 factors in Google's local algo. Here are some of the most widely cited factors:

• Lack of violations on your Google Places/Google+ Local profiles. Nothing kills rankings like violations. Memorize the guidelines: http://support.google.com/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528

• Age and authority of your domain (you can't control age but you can build authority) - Local and traditional optimization of your website

• Consistency, quantity and quality of citations

• Quantity of Google-based reviews

• Proximity to city centroid of the target city and proximity to Google's cluster of similar businesses

• Traditional SEO factors such as quantity and quality of links and co-occurrence.

• Social factors

That's just a start, but it does sum up some of the main things that go into achieving a high local rank in the city in which your business is physically located. Read David Mihm's report, the 2 articles I've linked to and the Google Places Quality Guidelines I've linked to and you will develop a very clear picture of your business' opportunities, its present failings and its room to grow.