Any average Googler these days has undoubtedly come across a google local listing when searching for certain queries such as professional medical services. For example, if I am searching for a medical professional in Westchester County NY, Google will return a ‘pack’ of local business listings near Westchester County. Depending on the specific query, Google will display anywhere from 1 to 10 listings directly above the standard organic listings that make up the search engine result page (SERP).
Why is this important? Total first page visibility! When there are 10 local listings adjacent to a map pushing down the standard 10 organic listings, assuming your site is on page 1 of Google, you’re click-through rate has just dropped. Now if you have both first page organic AND local presence, not only does that mathematically increase your click-through rate, it also gives users a sense of reassurance to see your website listed multiple times. Take a look at a few local search statistics.
So how does one ensure a prominent spot in those local business listings? Well that’s where we come in. We start my claiming and verifying your business listing with Google. Next we optimize using natural, honest tactics in an effort to give Google a slightly better idea of where you’re located, what you do, and why they should return your listing to prospective searchers. From there we utilize various resources on the web, including but not limited to Google-preferred local business directories, to enhance the ‘trust’ that Google lends toward your business name and address.
What we do not do is build links to your local business listing; this is a major misconception among many SEO’s. Unlike organic rankings, Google local rankings are achieved by the local relevance of a user’s search query along with the amount of trust Google has in your business listing. Our unique specialization in medical SEO allows us to maximize the effect of your local business listing to increase your overall visibility on the web, and drive more qualified traffic to your site.