Business owners are constantly looking for answers to the question: “What is the key to getting found on Google?”. Unfortunately, there isn’t one solid answer. However, a few weeks ago, we did reveal the 5 top ranking factors for local businesses. Here’s a reminder:
- Recency
- Relevance
- Distance
- Prominence
- Availability
SUGGESTED READING: Improve Your Local Ranking on Google
Within these 5 pillars of online visibility, there are many tactics that will help your local business get found on Google. At Surefire Local, we’ve uncovered many best practices that have helped our clients get found by their ideal customers. I’m going to provide you with 8 tips for your small business to help you get found on Google.
8 Tips for Small Businesses to Get Found on Google
1. Optimize your website
This requires ongoing attention. Even after your website is built, you should continue to optimize it regularly. Here are some tips to optimizing your site so that you can get found on Google:
- Include keywords and metadata on all your website pages
- Provide an easy-to-navigate user experience
- Write detailed product/services pages
- Consistently publish new and relevant blog posts, images, and videos to improve your recency
2. Improve your website speed and become mobile-friendly
Website speed is essential. Statistics show that 53% of site visitors will leave your website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Prospects will start to feel frustrated with your business if your website is slow to load or not optimized for a mobile phone. Another key factor to think about is the security of your site. Simply put, a secure website browser tells your viewers that you are who you say you are. With a speedy, mobile-friendly, and secure website, Google will more likely rank your business higher in search results.
3. Run Google Ads
Paid ads are a surefire way to help increase your local rank quicker, especially for more competitive keywords. A study by Clutch shows 75% of people say that paid search ads make it easier to find the information they search for on a search engine. With optimized Google Ads and targeted ad copy, your prospects will be able to find you in their search results when you’re answering their questions.
4. Identify business keywords
When you’re optimizing your website pages and posts, it’s important to have a good understanding of your keywords. Keyword research will help you match the type of content that Google will provide for a specific keyword.
For example, let’s say your business offers residential roofing services in McLean, VA. You are trying to post a new offer for residential customers and you just use the keyword “residential roofing services”. When you search that keyword phrase in Google, you will not have much luck finding your business and instead will see many roofing businesses not within McLean, VA. To get your offer found on Google, you’ll need to adjust your keyword phrase to be much more specific.
5. Google My Business
With an optimized Google My Business listing, you’ll be seen as a verified business. Think of your listing as a social media platform. You can publish content like product descriptions, images, offers, and videos. It’s also a place where you can engage with customers, for example, you can use the Q&A feature to spark conversation among prospective customers. Google ranks small businesses higher if they have an active online presence so utilizing Google’s business listing is the best way to start getting found.
6. Google Maps
You must have a Google My Business listing in order to appear in Google Maps. When you’ve optimized your Google My Business listing by providing up to date information, you’ll boost your local ranking and enhance your presence in Google Maps.
7. Google Reviews
Ask your customers to leave you Google reviews. This is a cost-effective way to help you improve your local rank in search results. When you collect reviews, you will become a trustworthy business in the eyes of Google’s algorithm. You’ll successfully impact your search engine optimization (SEO) and brand awareness, leading to higher online visibility and credibility.
8. Consistently publish content
Some small businesses struggle to dedicate time to producing content. What many don’t realize is that publishing recent, relevant, and educational content will help ideal customers find your business. Your website blog, social media pages, and Google My Business profile are just a few examples of platforms that you should be consistently updated so that you can become a reliable online source.
Take Action with Local Marketing Software
Getting found on Google requires maintaining an active online presence. The Surefire Local Marketing Platform is the #1 all-in-one marketing software that allows small businesses to take action on these 8 tips to getting found on Google. You can visualize a 360 view of your business metrics and performance in one place, without having to log into multiple platforms. Even better, it allows you to easily share one login to the platform so that your team can rely on your most powerful marketing tool. Request a free demo to see how you can make online marketing easy while still growing profitably.