My local search results don't seem to line up with the numbers.
-
After a year looking at the SERP's of the competition vs our listings I can't figure out what we are not doing by the numbers that is keeping the rankings down. Even looking at the Moz My Business report I don't see what's missing here. https://tools.brightlocal.com/seo-tools/admin/location-dashboard/location/353989/gpw/view#tab-1685931
-
Thanks, Michael!
While what I say here can't equal a professional audit, I'm going to take a quick look at your business and one of your keywords (limo service charleston sc).
Using our free Moz Check Listing tool, I see you've got quite a few inconsistencies on the major local business data platforms:
You have duplicate listings on Facebook and several other platforms. Your duplicate listing on Facebook is throwing up a little red flag for me. This is what I see:
Your correct NAP is:
Charleston Black Cab Company
1529 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Ste 2B, Charleston, SC, 29407
(843) 216-2627
www.charlestonblackcabcompany.comBut I see a Facebook duplicate with:
Charleston Black Cab Company
7281 Cross County Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 216-2627
http://www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com/Perhaps this is a second location, or you have moved, but in any case your name and phone number are being tied to two different addresses. If this is an old address, you need to close the duplicates and all old references to it. If it's a second location, it must not share a phone number with the Sam Rittenberg Blvd location.
I am also seeing a duplicate YP listing with this info:
Charleston Black Cab Company
1140 Barfield St, Daniel Island, SC 29492
(843) 216-2627So, same as above, whether this is a previous or active address.
Looks like you have some citation cleanup to do. If you are a Moz Local customer, our tool will certainly help with this important aspect of your active location data management. If you are not a customer, please study the results of the free tool closely and take manual actions to resolve inconsistent data and seek duplicate closure. *Please note that Moz Local is not finding your Google My Business listing because Google does not show us service area businesses with hidden addresses. It's correct that you've hidden your address on Google in compliance with their guidelines ... please make 100% certain that your address is correct in your GMB dashboard, though.
Now, I'm taking a look at Google's local results for 'limo service charleston sc', keeping in mind, of course, that what I see in my location will not be identical to what you or your customers see.
While not in the 3 pack, you are coming in at #6 in the local finder view:
The good news is that I don't see geography locking you out of the results. In other words, there doesn't appear to be a centroid issue playing a role here ... you are located in approximately the same area as the 5 businesses outranking you. Good to see.
I notice there is no place marker on the map designating your business at the automatic zoom setting. Not sure why that is, but it does make me wonder how much Google trusts the data they have about your business. I notice this on a few of your competitors as well, but others do have the place marker, with their name written out on the map.
I notice that you have earned many, many more reviews than any of your competitors. On the one hand, that's awesome, on the other hand, we always have to ask the question (no offense meant here) of whether you are positive that the review earning process is sticking to the letter of Google's guidelines. You'll want to be certain that you haven't somehow offended the Google gods in any way.
A couple more things ... I'm looking at your website and see:
-
You're doing a good job trying to cover a variety of user groups that need limo rental, but some of the pages you've devoted to these are on the short side. Do you feel you've made the best possible effort, or is there more you could do?
-
I wonder about the business name. Most of your competitors have the word 'limo' in their name. I wonder if the fact that you are using the words 'black cab' instead of 'limo' is giving your competitors an advantage. Not a lot you can do about this, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
-
Have you made sure there are no errors being reported in Google Search Console? Likely you have, but just mentioning
Summing Up
The citation situation is paramount. Getting those cleaned up really matters. I can't see if you have Google duplicates because the business is an SAB, but a full citation audit and the use of automated tools + possible manual correction seems warranted here given how quickly Moz Check Listing surfaced 3 different addresses tied to the same phone number.
The review situation and more thoughts on the website come second.
These are at-a-glance thoughts. There is likely more to be looked at, but I hope this gives you a good start!
-
-
Thank you for pointing out that I didn't share the public url for this.
This one will show the keywords and Local SERPS vs competition.
The website is https://www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com
I've made most all the suggested changes through MOZ and
This is the public link for the report I'm looking at with the comparison
-
Hi Michael!
I'm sure our cool community will love to help you out in any way they can. We'll need some further details, though, to dig into your scenario. The link you are sharing is going to a login screen (so, not visible to the public). Can you share:
-
The name and address of your business?
-
The top 1-3 keyword phrases you're hoping to compete for?
-
A link to your website?
If you're able to share these details, I'm sure you'll receive good feedback from the community
-
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Google my business phone reporting? Doesnt cross state lines.
We have a branch in Toledo Ohio, which is close to the Michigan border. Cleary we get calls for direction from Michigan customers. However, our phone reporting does not cross the state line. Any ideas? This happens at other branches that cross state lines as well.
Reviews and Ratings | | bakergraphix_yahoo.com0 -
Why would the review count be different between the Ad and the Organic result?
A client inquired about this after finding that their review count was different on their Google Ad that appeared in the map pack compared to their organic result right below it. I am stumped so any thoughts or reasoning as to why this is the case would be appreciated. See attached screenshot! Lptujep
Reviews and Ratings | | BrianAutoshopSEO0 -
Local Search for Home Businesses
I'm a home based business. I know Google has cracked down on PO boxes and UPS locations. What is one to do if they work from home but don't conduct business with clients from their home office? How can I get an address that's Google-approved?
Reviews and Ratings | | FathomMarketing1 -
What's the best way to keep Google My Business reviews when the business changes names?
I work with an interior designer who is re-branding and changing her business name to focus specifically on windows. Can she keep her GMB reviews and just change the name of her business, then reverify with Google? She doesn't want to lose her current local pack ranking.
Reviews and Ratings | | obkommy1 -
Why Isn't Product Schema Showing Up for my Ecom Site?
Hello, I work with two ecommerce sites and we've implemented product and review schema back in mid-May. Since implemented, I've seen some of the product prices and review stars start to show up in Google, however, now it seems to be long gone. I've tested sample URLs in Google's rich snippet testing tool and no errors come up and it looks like we have all the required components needed for each schema type. I know Google doesn't for sure show schema, but these sites are a decent size and trustworthy enough where I think they would be showing it. Does anyone have an idea on what I'm missing? Have you experienced something like this? Thanks in advance.
Reviews and Ratings | | OfficeFurn0 -
Will adding schema markup to copied Google reviews show up in organic search?
Google no longer favors my client's industry with Google reviews in local Snack Pack results, but a national competitor has markup for site-based reviews that are showing up in organic results, which is a big, shiny, advantage. Rather than have to solicit reviews in two places (Google and the site), I'm wondering if it would be possible/advisable to copy and paste the Google reviews into the site and mark them up there, in an attempt to get Google to feature the rating in the organic SERP result? I don't know if this would work though, since I'm guessing part of the reason that Google accepts the competitor reviews is because they are verified purchases, which wouldn't be possible just cutting and pasting. But is it worth a try? It's too bad though, Google is effectively only showing handpicked, "national" reviews, which does local customers a disservice. Thank you!
Reviews and Ratings | | PerfectPitchConcepts1 -
Google Local Reviews : Creating a Recipricol Reviewing Network
Hi All! I recently came across an invitation for a group on Facebook (created by an internet marketer likely trying to drum up business) that is designed to get a bunch of business professionals to leave reviews for each other (not knowing each other or having worked with one another in any way) in an attempt to build good review profiles on Google local for all. Obviously this is frowned upon, but is it actually dangerous at this point? Are there filters or methods Google has to identify and punish businesses for this type of activity? As someone who always tries to do the right thing, it makes my skin boil when the scammers in our industry use manipulative tactics like this and even more annoyed when they actually work! Look forward to any specific info you all have on this. -Ricky
Reviews and Ratings | | RickyShockley0 -
Localized vs Professional Images
When it comes to local directory sites such as Google+ Local for business, Yelp, Bing places for business, etc., what is everyone's opinion on the type of images that should be used? I am trying to decide if I want to use 10 professionally produced images (the same 10 will be used across hundreds of locations under the same brand across the country) or if each location should use their own unique 10 images that show localized images from that exact location. When it comes to profile completeness, I think each site does not care, as long as they represent your company well. However, I am curious if there are any case studies or the like that show that one image type is better to use over the other in terms of helping customers make decisions to contact your business or not. really appreciate any comments you have to share.
Reviews and Ratings | | dsinger0
