So what can you do to get to that coveted 7-pack? It involves several
things, and fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help
your listing rank in the best position possible.
1) Be sure to include your location in your title. It’s generally
considered a best practice to do so, and it encourages the user to choose
your listing by drawing the eye with location they are searching for.
Including your city or area reaffirms that you are indeed a good local
candidate.
2) Include relevant, keyword and location rich information in your
description. This area is the most you get to say about your business- so
use it to your advantage. It not only assists the search engines, but it
also helps the searcher decide whether or not they want to consider you for
their needs.
3) Use a local phone number. Local phone numbers are one of Google’s main
ways of ascertaining that you located where you claim.
4) Ensure there is only one, optimized listing for your business.
Multiple listings can vastly decrease your chances of any of those listings
ranking well. If you are creating a new listing, Google will typically give
you a chance to claim any listings that appear similar to your business.
5) Make sure your listing is 100% complete. Google is all about the user
experience, and providing thorough, complete listings tells them that your
listing will provide more information (and thus a better use experience).
6) Get Reviews. A recent statistic from eConsultancy in 2009 found that
70% of users will trust reviews online that come from people they don’t
know. This word of mouth increases trust in your business and helps
consumers feel confident about working with you.
7) Update your listing when you can. Keeping your content fresh (i.e. add
a coupon, change a little text) assists the search engines in knowing that
you have relevant information for the users.
These are just a few of the ways you can help your local business listing
achieve a placement in the Google 7-pack. While not guaranteed, taking these
steps puts you in the position to succeed. Have any tips you would
recommend? Share them with us in the comments section!
About the Author:
Emily Thompson is the Internet Marketing Specialist for Kutenda provides
the tools, training and services that small businesses need to generate more
leads, follow up, and grow their businesses using the power of the Internet.
http://kutenda.com
