How do I Improve Google Local search position

[robdob1]

Hi,

I think its called local search position, what I'm referring to is when you do a search on a keyword and google lists not only the best matches but also usually the second match is a group of 3 businesses with telephone numbers, google reviews and at the bottom of the group it will say something like:  "See results for <your keyword="">on a map.  This is what I'm referring to.  in anycase my question is if I click on the link to see more results on a map I'm listed as number 3, however on the search page before where the link is displayed which I just clicked on I'm not being listed and instead one business name is being listed three times,  each of the listings uses the same address but a different telephone number,  In addtion the business that is being listed three times is also listed in the results being returned above in this case position #1 for the keyword I have searched.  I assume this has something to do with them also being listed in the group of local businesses below three time..  The business I'm interested in getting listed in this group of results is currently being listed page 2 position 5 for the keyword..</your>

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks in advance..

[WesleySmits]

Yes, a citation is mention of your business on the web. It's usually accompanied by all of your NAP data. The more citations you have (with consistant information) the more Google can trust you with a good ranking. (Because it is an indication that the company which is listed is indeed doing what they say they do and they are located at the place where they say they do.)

[robdob1]

Hi,

thanks for the info could you please expand on what you mean by more local citations?  are citations sites such as : Google Places/Local, Yahoo local, Foursquare, Hotfrog, Yelp and much  more. as was described above by @westleysmits ?

[billhartzer]

Rob,

There are generally two separate factors that I would focus on: number of local citations, and number of reviews (actually the velocity of reviews). Consider working heavily on getting more local citations. Make sure the NAP (name, address, phone number) data is consistent everywhere. I would also focus on reviews and getting more reviews of your business posted, as well.

[WesleySmits]

Don't try to do it through Google Map Maker. Instead go to Google+ under your personal profile.

• On the left hand side in the sidebar you will find a link 'Pages'
• Click 'Pages' and then click 'Local business
• Type in your company name. It will show existing companies with that name. Choose your company.
• Follow the rest of the steps.

After some time a postcard will be send to your companies address with a pin-code. This pin-code can be used to verify you as the owner of this page. Then you will have full access to edit the content of the page.

[robdob1]

Thank you very much for the both thorough and terrific answer.  I have another question.  I have tried to contact google maps ( Google Map Maker ) on several occasions asking them to change the website url that the business listing is pointing to each time they deny it for some reason, I'm not exactly sure why,  so I was thinking perhaps I'm better off creating another business entry same address, different website, and using our toll free number,  ideally I would prefer to just update the original listing but can't seem to get the reviewers to do it..  I will try once again.  maybe that explains why our competitors have several listings.. I think changing the business listing to point to our new website url is very important so that I can then follow your instructions and have everything to point to the same correct new website..

[WesleySmits]

Hello Rob,

In order to improve your local SEO you would need to claim (or create) your company's 'local listing' pages across platforms. A lot of websites out there list local businesses such as Google Places/Local, Yahoo local, Foursquare, Hotfrog, Yelp and much more.

Many of these platforms allow you to claim the page where they give out your company details so you can fill in the information about your company yourself. Once you've done this you need to make sure the information there is correct.

Enter your company name, address and contact details everywhere in the same way. For a computer it's very difficult to understand that avenue is the same as 'ave' in an address.

Fill in a good description, add photo's/video's if you have any and make sure the listing describes clearly what your company does and what it is all about.

The most important one of these is your listing on Google Places/Local. This page will actually rank in the search results as you described. Make sure you fill this in as good as you can. Google will use this information and compare it to other listings of your company. If they see that the information is consistant this would indicate to Google that the information is correct and they will trust you more and more. This would help you rank better in local SEO for related search queries.

Another good thing to remember is that reviews help you rank too. If you've got loyal and satisfied customers, ask them to write a review for you on your Google Places/Local page.

Note: Don't pay people for reviews or anything. It's against google's guidelines to buy or sell reviews just like links.

Some resources to get you started:

• The definitive guide to local SEO

• Free local SEO tools that belong in your toolkit

• Local SEO tips for 2014

Hope i answered your question. If anything was unclear or if you have any more questions please let me know and i will do my best to answer or explain more.