Getting Google Local 3 Pack Rankings Easier
Getting online visibility and improving local search engine optimization (SEO) efforts are critical for any business. This is because searchers who might be typically looking to buy what you sell right now are affected by Google’s algorithm.
Any digital marketing strategy must take search visibility and local ranking into account. But before we get into further detail on the Local 3 Pack, let us look into what the Google Local is and how it is helpful for your business to thrive.
What Is Google Local?
The Local Pack is a feature of Google Search that allows users to perform a quality local search for businesses and services without having to enter their location.
It appears as a box with three business listings and their corresponding information, such as the business name, address, phone number, website URL, and rating.
To help guide your digital marketing plans and local SEO strategies, understand that Google looks at three main factors when determining how to rank Google business listings and local businesses in the Local 3 Pack:
- Relevancy: Is your business category relevant to the user’s search?
- Distance: How far is your business from the user’s location?
- Prominence: How well-known is your business?
5-Point Checklist for Ranking in Google Local 3 Pack
1. Refine your Google My Business listing
Any local business must provide their most updated details on Google My Business (GMB). It is a tool that helps you manage and improve the profile of your local business online. This is also what users see when they look for a service on Google Maps.
Here’s how to further optimize your Google My Business listing and increase your chances of appearing in a local search and your local rankings in Google Local Pack:
- verify your local business listing
- optimize your listing with keywords
- encourage customer reviews
- actively engage with your customers
Additionally, the information that people should see about your Google My Business profile must be accurate. It will help your visibility in a local search if you gain at least 10 reviews with a minimum rating of 4 stars.
2. Get your local business listed in relevant, high-quality directories
As a part of your digital marketing strategy, you should also tap websites that can deliver traffic to your local business profile.
You can either submit your business listing information to data aggregators or manually add local listings to directories. However, make sure that these directories are relevant and of high quality.
To find quality local listings for your reference, search “niche directory” + your location.
For example, if you’re a plumber in Los Angeles, you would search for local listings on “plumbing directory Los Angeles.”
You can also try searching for “industry directory” + your location or “city directory.”
3. Collect reviews and manage your online reputation
Positive reviews help your Google My Business profile and rank in the Google Local 3 Pack. To get reviews, you can start by asking your customers to leave a review on your GMB listing or on popular review sites like Yelp or Angie’s List.
You can also offer incentives for customers to leave a review, such as discounts or coupons.
4. Make sure you are cited among local businesses
Google business profile listings are also ranked for local SEO and Google Local 3 Pack by citation signals. A citation is an online mention of your business listing, name, address, and phone number (NAP).
In order for Google to trust that local businesses are legitimate, it looks for NAP citations from high-quality websites. The more high-quality NAP citations you have, the more likely you are to rank in the Local Pack and improve your local SEO.
To build citations, you can start by claiming your business listing on popular directories like Yelp, Angie’s List, and Google My Business.
You can also submit your business information to data aggregators like Acxiom and Infogroup.
5. Optimize your Google business profile for local SEO
Google feeds websites that have high-quality and relevant content to local searches. Optimize your website for local SEO by including your city and state in your title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and throughout the content on your website.
High-quality photos and videos on your website can also help your local SEO ratings. Google loves visual content, so this is a great way to improve your chances of appearing in local searches.
Additionally, include keywords in your GMB listing that match what people would search for when looking for a business like yours.
Turbocharge your presence in Google Local 3 Pack with these tips
By following these tips and steps, you can improve your digital marketing efforts and your chances of ranking higher in the Local Pack.
Keep in mind that it takes time and effort to rank higher in the Local Pack, but it is possible to achieve with some patience and perseverance.
As we have said earlier, it may be difficult to get there but once you are in the rank of Local 3-Pack, you are likely to stay there for a while.
If you need any help with ranking your page for the Google local pack, AMPlus is here to help. Our team of experts can help you with all your digital marketing needs.
AMPLUS is a Texas-based full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, local search, and Google My Business optimization.
We are dedicated to helping businesses rank higher in the Local Pack and improve their local SEO. Contact us today to get started!
