Ranking well for keywords, but not in Google maps

[DrewR]

If the search "criminal defense attorney" or any number of variants, is performed from a mobile device, like an iPhone, Google maps seems to be inserting many local map listings ahead of the normal search results in the Tallahassee, Florida area. These are great - as they have the Call button and the Directions button. However, for some reason, my clients aren't ranking well here and competitors who are seemingly doing nothing are higher in the list.

I have created the Google+ page for attorney and business page for the firm and completed the profile, uploading pictures etc and verified the address. I have the local address (schema-proper, I believe) on the linking home page and their address is actually closer to downtown/midtown than others. I've even gotten some positive reviews and +1s, at least enough to be competitive in this field. This was about 2 months ago. Any advice?

On a (perhaps) related note, the competition has category descriptions outside of the Google-allowed categories. I can't save settings without fitting neatly into their "Criminal Justice Attorney" category. Help here would also be appreciated.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Drew,

I will add to Tom's thoughtful response by recommending that you study the recent Local Search Ranking Factors 2013 (http://moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors) and look at the different factors that have greatest influence in the mobile environment vs. the desktop environment if the goal is mobile local rankings. Hope this helps!

[TomRayner]

Hi there Drew

You've made the right start by acquiring a Google+ page and some reviews.  Google considers these citations when deciding whether or not to rank a site in the local listings.

However, it also considers hundreds of other local citations for this local search.  Getting your listing on these sites can go a long way towards improving your local listing visibility.  Make sure that each listing uses a consistent address, phone number, company etc. and Google should start to take notice.

Here's a fantastic definitive list of local citations you can go out and acquire.  Getting the listing is only half of the job - using consistent information, getting reviews and of course earning high quality links will make your site appear higher and higher in local search as well.  Keep driving reviews to places like Google+ and Yelp, earn those links and claim your listings.

Hope this helps!