Google Local Pack: What’s That all About?
The Google local pack is an excellent way to get a local business noticed. When a search is done for local businesses, a map may appear that has information about three local businesses on it. Under the map is the name, address, phone number, and other data for each of the businesses. Local businesses featured on the local pack have the chance to be seen by any potential customers looking for something near them. This can help with visibility in the search results.
Advantages of Ranking in the Google Local Pack
Ranking high on the local pack offers a few distinct advantages. It is one of the most visible features on the search engine results page because it appears as a map at the top of the listings. If a business appears here, more people are going to notice it. There will also be a higher click-through rate compared to standard search engine results.
Start by Optimizing for Local Searches
It is necessary to begin with optimizing the website for local searches. Your website should include the name of the town, state, county, and more for the business so Google can detect it. The website should be functional, mobile-friendly, secure, and fast. It should also include backlinks from authority websites, especially local sources. If the website is already showing near the top of the search results, it is ready to be optimized to rank in the local pack.
Create a Google My Business Page
Check to see if there is already a Google My Business page for the business. If there is not already a listing, you will need to create one. If there is already a listing, you will need to verify that you are the owner of the business. Above that you will have to verify the physical address of the business. This can take a few days to do, but it is easy to do. You will then need to fill out or verify all the business information on this listing.
Verify Business Information
Go through all the information in the Google My Business listing to make sure it is correct. Pay attention to the business name, category, NAP data (name, address, phone number), hours of business, and photos. If there is any information missing, add it in at this point. Always make sure the information is as accurate as possible. Go through all photos and other information to make sure it is relevant to the business and to check for any potential issues.
Add Business Citations with Keywords
Business citations are descriptions that can appear in business listings. Make sure your business is portrayed positively and add in keywords here where possible. These citations do work like
backlinks, so stick with authoritative business directories and make sure your business information is kept up to date. This can help boost the optimization for your website, which gives you a better chance of appearing in the Google local pack.
Add Posts, Messages, and Other Tools
Various tools are available for the Google My Business listings, all of which can be used to help optimize the listing and give the business the chance to rank higher in the local pack. Try adding a messaging feature, creating posts that users can see, or adding a questions and answers section. Keep all of these updated by checking them regularly and responding to user questions or comments. This helps boost the ranking for your business and will help you appear in the local packs for your area.
Launch an Ad Campaign in Google Maps for Ranking in Google’s Local Pack
Ranking high in the local packs is possible to do by following the steps above. It is also possible to appear by launching an ad campaign in Google Maps. Around 35% of the local packs include ads, so this could quickly increase your visibility or help you get seen in Google local packs even though there’s a lot of competition for your area. Start by adding a location extension to your Google Ads account. Then, create a Google Ad campaign that targets by location and uses location-related keywords. Your ad should then be ready to appear in local packs for your keywords and location.
Local packs can help your business be more prominently displayed in the Google search results. But you will further need to make sure the website and Google My Business listing are optimized for this. Follow the steps here to start working on both your website and the Google My Business listing today. You will be able to reach out to more local customers and draw in more business once your website is featured.