How Can I move a site higher in Google Places?

[kdaly100]

As we all know Google Local Business/Places now has significant real estate for many searches.  What I find hard to understand is what makes the difference between the different positions.  Is it solely based on the content in Google Places itself or is it regular ranking factors.

I am (like everybody) on a hell for leather search to try and rank above my competition but having studied their Places information I do not think there is much I more I can do.

Suggestions hat have actually worked for you?

[RyanPurkey]

http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml This is an excellent break down of the factors that go in to local search.  David Mihm is also on the SEOmoz website so if you need an expert in the field you can contact him.

As you can see from the article there are at least 58 positive indicators and 11 negative indicators that all influence your localized ranks, being a combination of localized content and regular ranking factors.  Hopefully by scanning through this article you'll be given several ideas of where you can improve your results.

[kdaly100]

Thanks Ryan and appreciatethe speed of your answer.  I have actually read this article before and have implemented nearly all the items that make sense.  I do notice that the Google Categories have changed slightly recently with Services - XXX as new ones for a range ot items.

However after implementing these it has not made a huge difference.  I think this URL is a good Intermediate primer for people but I think that it is very small details in this area that will make the difference for me.  Has anyone seen subtle tweaks hat have made differences?  My keywrods by the way are far from competitive and are in the 1-2K range.

[AaronSchinke]

Reviews, reviews,reviews!

[kdaly100]

Thanks for that working on getting them as well.  3 so far in last week.  It's a pain in the behind when the reviewer has to have a gmail address though as my hundreds of satisfied customers (:-)) don't all have GMail addresses.

[RyanPurkey]

It sounds like if you're dealing with subtle tweaks and small details you'll need to get some insight into your specific situation, i.e. add your url and search terms to the discussion, or hire someone to hep with an audit.

To answer your question about subtle difference, yes, I've seen something as simple as being more centrally located within a specific area code give a better ranking in map results.  This was a while ago though, and I think it's changed some, but it is an example of subtle difference.  Of course this might not help your situation whatsoever.

[RyanPurkey]

Google pulls reviews from across the web, not just Google accounts.

[kdaly100]

Just to keep you up to date.  I got 5 more reviews and now I have 6 and the increased reviews have not moved my placement.  I suspect that irrespective of the activity that you do on Google Places that your site's actual authority, links etc etc still have a strong factor in the placement.

I am actually creating an excel table looking forensically at the people above to see what really stands out from their Google Places listing from mine to see if even the smallest tweak makes a difference.

What is interesting is that for a different order of the exact same keywords there is only one Google Places listing presented which I find very interesting as well - any ideas on that one ?

[RyanPurkey]

If the order reversal includes shuffling the place name away from "city, ST" you can see dramatic differences.

[kdaly100]

Just to update people on this topiuc and what has changed / not changed

My URL is http://www.grangewebdesign.com and target keywords are website design Cork, web design Cork and Cork before each of these as well as that is the city I live in

• I made some subtle change to the address (removed the area I was on as Google Maps did not recognise the actual area and now it matches the people above me.
• I made sure my content was solid on the page and guess what
• For the search terms website design Cork where I was 5th on the Google Places list I am now on page 2
• For the search terms web design Cork where I was bottom of Page 1 for SERPs I am now on Page 3

Time for a stiff drink.  But really I have really worked hard on this and now it seems I am doing more damage than good..