How to Improve Google Business Ranking on Local Search

In today's digital age, establishing a strong online presence is essential for businesses of all sizes, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through optimizing your Google Business ranking. 

A Google Business Profile allows businesses to manage their visibility across Google's services, including Search and Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find them. 

A high Google Business ranking can significantly enhance your business's reach, attracting more traffic to both your website and physical location.

In this article, we will explore more about the Google Business ranking, as well as the factors and how to improve your business profile ranking.

What Is Google Business Ranking

Google Business ranking refers to the position of a business listing in local search results on Google. This ranking is influenced by various factors that affect how prominently the business appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) and Google Maps.

As a business owner, Google Business Profile is crucial for businesses of all sizes to manage their online presence across Google services, including the search engine and Google Maps. 

Whether you run a small local bakery or a large retail chain, effectively managing your Google business listings is essential for attracting new customers, especially at the local level. 

Benefits of Highly Ranked Google Business Listings

High-ranking Google Business listings offer increased visibility to potential customers, leading to more traffic to your business profile.

This visibility boosts the chances of converting interest into actions such as store visits, website clicks, or phone calls.

Additionally, top-ranked listings are perceived as more credible and professional, enhancing your brand and reputation as customers trust businesses that appear at the top of search results.

Achieving a top position can also place your business in Google's "local three-pack," or Local Pack, which displays your business directly in search results.

This significantly improves the chances of attracting and converting customers, giving you a competitive edge and greater exposure alongside other top local businesses.

What are the Local Ranking Factors on Google Business Profile

Local rankings are more complex than simply showing up first in a rank tracker. They vary by location, time, search history, and other factors. 

Therefore, a broader definition of rankings is used that considers how high your Google Business ranking is and how often you appear in Maps results, Local Finder results, and Local Packages.

The following factors can influence local keyword rankings on the Google Business profile, with some having a direct effect on rankings and others having a more indirect effect. Here are the factors of how to improve your local ranking on Google.

1. Business Name

Your business name is a critical factor in local rankings. Adding keywords to your business name can influence your local keyword rankings. 

However, avoid keyword stuffing as it violates Google’s guidelines and may result in suspension.

2. Categories

Both primary and secondary categories play a crucial role in rankings. The primary category is more influential, so choosing the best primary category for your business is essential. 

Secondary categories, while less impactful, can still improve your local rankings by making your business visible for more searches. 

Monitoring competitors' categories and adding relevant secondary categories is a good strategy.

3. Landing Page

The content and link authority of your landing page impact your local rankings. Usually, your homepage is the best option, even if it doesn’t have the best content for your primary products or services. 

While Google Business Profile (GBP) websites are an alternative, they tend to have limited functionality and don’t necessarily offer better rankings.

4. Address

Your business address significantly affects local rankings. Google ranks businesses based on the verified location, with higher rankings closer to the address and lower rankings as you move further away. 

Having multiple businesses at the same or neighbouring addresses can result in one being filtered out of the search results. 

Therefore, choose an address in the city you want to rank, with a substantial search volume nearby, and not too close to a business with the same categories.

5. Photos

Adding photos to your Business Profile can help improve your local ranking. While there is debate about the impact of photos on rankings, Google states that photos can enhance your local ranking. 

High-quality images increase customer trust and conversions, making them crucial for engagement, even if their direct impact on rankings is uncertain. Geotagging images, however, does not affect rankings.

6. Reviews

Reviews are a vital local SEO ranking factor and influence consumer choice. Having at least 10 reviews can boost rankings, with additional reviews still having an impact, though to a lesser extent. 

Star ratings and review counts both affect local rankings and conversion rates. Responding to reviews shows that you value feedback, which can also improve rankings and conversion rates. 

However, including keywords in reviews or responses does not impact rankings.

7. Hours of Operation

Hours of operation actually have a minor role in rankings. Being open for more hours can help your listing show up more frequently. 

When a business is closed, it might be possible to decrease the ranking, and it may be filtered out of results if users select open now or open 24 hours options.

8. Services

Services listed on your GBP can affect your rankings, regardless of whether they were added manually, predefined based on category, or automatically by Google. 

Monitoring and ensuring the accuracy of these services can improve your rankings and profile accuracy.

9. Identity

Attributes enable business owners to showcase various features such as specific services, amenities, and unique qualities of their business. 

Highlighting attributes not only helps potential customers find your business more easily but also provides detailed information that can influence their decision to choose your business.

For instance, showcasing attributes like "wheelchair accessible" or "free Wi-Fi" can attract customers looking for those specific features.

How to Increase Google Business Ranking

When users search for a nearby business or place, Google shows local results in Maps and Search. For instance, searching "Asian restaurant" on your phone will display local options.

However, your business might not appear in relevant local searches. So, if you are wondering “How to improve my Google Business ranking?”, here’s what you need to do:

1. Enter Complete Data

Local results prioritize the most relevant matches for each search. Having complete and accurate information helps match your business with appropriate searches.

Make sure your Business Profile includes comprehensive details so users know what you do, where you are, and when they can visit. Include information such as:

• Physical address
• Phone number
• Business Category
• Attributes

2. Verify Your Location

Verify your business locations to increase their likelihood of appearing in local search results across Google products like Maps and Search. 

3. Keep Your Hours Accurate

Regularly update your business hours, including special hours for holidays and events. Accurate hours information reassures customers that your business will be open when they visit.

4. Manage & Respond to Reviews

Responding to reviews shows that you value customer feedback. Positive, high-quality reviews can enhance your business’s visibility and increase the chances of attracting more customers.

5. Add Photos

Include photos in your Business Profile to showcase your products and services, and to visually tell the story of your business. Appealing images can attract customers who are searching for what you offer. 

6. Add In-Store Products

If you operate a retail business in eligible regions (US, CA, UK, and IE), you can convert online searchers into in-store shoppers by displaying your in-store products on your Business Profile automatically.

Conclusion

By ensuring your business profile is accurate, up-to-date and engaging, you can increase your Google Business ranking in local search results.  

Additionally, incorporating relevant keywords and structuring your content effectively can enhance your online presence and attract more customers, which can improve Google My Business ranking. 

Remember to keep your information current and utilize SEO best practices to maintain a strong online reputation and drive more traffic to your business. To do this, you can consider teaming up with cmlabs, where we specialise in providing SEOlutions such as optimising website content, conducting keyword research, and many more.

Explore the SEO Services by cmlabs and discuss your business needs to get your website to top of Google with our dedicated marketing team today!