How can we boost our rankings in a London-based Google search?

[donaldsze]

Hi all,

I work for enterprise app development & mobile consultancy, Mubaloo.

We tend to rank fairly well on Google for our targeted keywords in the Bristol area but not as well in London. Obviously there is more competition in London but that aside, we still don't rank brilliantly.

We use our London address as our main address on our website, same for our London telephone number. Both of our offices are submitted to Google Maps and we include blog content with London and Bristol in the headers. Our main HQ is in Bristol but the London office is growing. What are the ways we can improve our rankings from a London-based Google search?

Thank you in advance!

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi Clair,

How is your Google local listing? Has this been confirmed? It is also worth looking for some localised listings and cocitations from sites dedicated to London - Google will still use these sites to confirm your site and contact details.

i would also suggest having a look at http://www.whitespark.ca/ as they are a great way to find local listings. This has helped me many times in the past.

-Andy

[gazzerman1]

Ok so I looked at the site and there are a few things you can do.

Firstly I looked at your site on archive.org all the way back to 2009 it seems you have had a UK address and Bristol address on the site for the time in the contact us page. In July of 2012 the site was re-designed and the London address was used on the homepage. Then in July of 2013 until now the registered address in Bristol is used at the bottom of the page in a format favored by Googlebot and Google+

Second I looked at Google.com results (not UK) to see where your default local listing points to. The answer is Bristol.

First of all I do not see a local listing for London, I would get that sorted out as a priority.

Secondly I would used rich snippets with schema.org to markup your code.

Lastly (an option if the others do not solve the issue) I would create a London page on the site with correct schema featuring the London office and the services provided at that address. maybe something like Mubaloo.com/london-office/

I suspect however that most of your issues will resolve fairly quickly with a local listing. But giving Google more content to work with directly on the subject matter is always a winner.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Clair,

Let me recommend a few learning resources for you here from Moz as it sounds like you may just be starting on the big task of Local Search Marketing.

Here's an intro to the very basics:

http://moz.com/blog/free-local-seo-education-for-businesses-on-a-shoestring-budget

Here is the big new Moz Local Learning Center, which is literally chock-full of information about this topic:

http://moz.com/learn/local

Here is an illustrated guide to the Top 20 local search ranking factors:

http://moz.com/blog/top-20-local-search-ranking-factors-an-illustrated-guide

And here is the official annual expert survey from 2013, Local Search Ranking Factors, that you can study in great detail:

http://moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors

If you're experiencing a local ranking failure, check out this post:

http://moz.com/blog/troubleshooting-local-ranking-failures

And you will need to understand the concept of building local landing pages. This should help:

http://moz.com/blog/local-landing-pages-guide

Hope these resources will get you off to a terrific start!

[donaldsze]

Thank you so much! This is all very useful.

[donaldsze]

Thanks so much Gary.

I've absolutely no idea how you found out this information but it's all correct! I'll take a look into your suggestions.

[donaldsze]

This post is deleted!

[Andy.Drinkwater]

^-^ Andy

[donaldsze]

Sorry Andy! Thanks so much for your help.

[donaldsze]

Hi Gary,

I thought I had added a local listing for London, do you know where I can do this?