Google Phone Numbers

[JML1179]

What process is performed to get a company's phone number to show as "A" on google maps. Google displays the phone number for the company on the map as "A" first. It would be beneficial to get that position.

Is there a sub-category of seo that does this?

Thanks in advance!

[CoreyNorthcutt]

Well, if we're talking about Google Maps, this falls within the dense world of Local SEO.   By 'the phone number showing as "A" in Google', I assume you're referring to being the #1 local listing, shown with an "A" when searching maps.google.com?

If this is indeed the case, here are a hundred or two considerations to help you start planning how to get there:  http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml  

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Joseph,

Like Corey, I'm reading your question as being about getting a high local ranking. If this isn't your intent, please correct me.

Corey has linked to the Local Search Industry's premiere annual report, which surveys some of the top Local SEOs in the world. It's an extremely helpful document, and it outlines what participants feel are the top local rankings factors. Now, the 2012 report (I'm a yearly participant) was undertaken before the rollout of Google's big new local product - Google+ Local - which basically replaces the Google Place Pages of former times. So, be aware that there have been some major changes since publication, though the basic advice remains solid.

Local SEO is the practice of obtaining high rankings both in the blended/local packs of results (the ones with the lettered pins on them) as well as high organic rankings for local terms that don't bring up the actual pinned local results. The lettered local results' rankings are derived from a combination of both organic signals (like the strength of the website, link profile, etc.) and local ones (like having a violation-free, complete Google+ page, number of citations from other local business directories, proximity to the centroid of business in a given city) etc.

To qualify for inclusion in Google's local products, a business must meet all 3 of the following criteria:

1. Have a unique, dedicated physical street address (not a P.O. box, shared address or virtual address)

2. Have a unique, local phone number in the city of location (not a toll free number or shared number)

3. Have in-person transactions with clientele either at the place of business (like a restaurant) or at the client's place of business (like a plumber)

If any of those 3 things doesn't match the business model, then you cannot seek inclusion in Google+ Local.

Most Local SEOs consider Mike Blumenthal to be the leading expert in the field, so if you're just getting into this, you should start reading his blog on a regular basis: http://www.blumenthals.com/blog

You might also find a couple of recent articles from my blog to be useful in getting you into the right mindset about this unique field of SEO:

The Zen of Local SEO

http://www.solaswebdesign.net/wordpress/?p=1314

The Rudiments of Local SEO

http://www.solaswebdesign.net/wordpress/?p=1344

The main thing to understand about Local SEO is that it is constantly changing...arguably even more so than traditional SEO, so constant study is a must in this field. It's a really dynamic area to work in. Hope these resources help!