17 Ways to Dominate Google Local Search in 2022

If you have a brick-and-mortar local business, I’m sure you’ve heard of Google Local Search. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that can give your business a serious boost in customer engagement and revenue.

It’s not easy to dominate Google Local Search, but it is possible. It takes patience and expertise—and you’re in luck because we’ve got both! Here are 17 ways to dominate Google Local Search:

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile First

One of the most important things you can do for your local search ranking is to claim and optimize your Google business profile. This will help you rank higher in Google Maps, which means more customers. And as a business owner, isn’t that what you want?

2. Stand Out from Your Competitors

Your next step is to stand out from your competitors. First, you need to create a business listing that goes above and beyond what your competition offers. This means writing a description that clearly states your business’s unique value, uploading original photos, and making sure you’re listed in all local directories.

3. Fully Optimize Your Google Business Page

In addition to optimizing your Google Business page for relevant keywords, it’s also important that you upload as many relevant, high-quality photos as possible—the more, the better! The more interesting your images are, the better chance they have at catching people’s attention.

4. Set Your Website up for Local Search Ranking

Setting up local search marketing with an emphasis on geography is critical if you want to rank well in Google Maps (and Google Local Search), especially since Google recently announced that more than half of all mobile searches are related to location.

5. Add Your Address to Your Email Signature Block, Email Footer & Website Header/Footer

Did you know that 98% of online adults use email? That’s why your business needs to be on every platform where people can contact you—including email. Try adding your address to the bottom of your email signature block to make this easy. This way, customers will always have access to contacting you—and they’ll prefer doing so over other methods like social media or telephone because it’s easier and faster! You can also optimize your site header and footer by including the address below the “contact us” button or along the bottom of your website.

6. Increase Your Google My Business Reviews

Another tip for increasing customer engagement is to get more Google My Business reviews. This can be done by asking for positive testimonials from real customers—make sure they’re on-brand and high quality! You can also review marketing ideas that don’t require paid advertising, like customer referral marketing.

7. Include Local Keywords in Your Site Content

You must include local keywords in your site content, so users looking for businesses just like yours will find you when they search online. Remember, this isn’t stuffing your text with irrelevant keywords; it’s adding the right words at times (like common misspellings) that they’re likely to be searched.

8. Connect Your Social Media Accounts

Make sure you connect your social media accounts with your Google My Business page. This way, when people “like” or follow you on Facebook, Twitter, etc., it will show up in your Google profile and increase your exposure online. If people can’t find you online, they won’t engage with you! Check out the full list of connections here.

9. Include Keywords in Your Business Name…and Make Sure It’s Easy to Pronounce!

The name of your business is one of the most important factors for local SEO success, so give some serious thought to keyword research when coming up with a name for your company. In addition, it would be best to consider what will make your business name easy to pronounce so you rank high in common misspellings.

10. Develop Google Local Citation Opportunities

If you haven’t heard of citation opportunities, now is the time to learn! Local citations are important for SEO success, whether you’re trying to rank locally or nationally. One great way to build up your company’s online presence? Add new locations (and phone numbers) to your website and get listed on regional directories like Yelp. Learn more about how to use citations for local SEO success here.

11. Include Your Business Address & Keywords in All Content Marketing Pieces

As we mentioned before, including relevant keywords in written content be extremely effective—so why not get started right away? Remember to stick to one or two keywords for each piece of content, and don’t go overboard.

12. Create a Local Press Kit

Start creating a local press kit if you want to rank your business high in search results. You can even use this opportunity to get more reviews! The best part? Websites like Muckrack let you create an online press kit, so you don’t have to worry about collecting everything on your own—it’s all done for you!

13. Build Citations & Get Reviews on Business Directories Like Yelp

Business directories are another great way to increase the visibility of your company. They’re also extremely helpful in earning new customers through referrals. Again, make sure you’re also building citations for local SEO success and getting reviews on directories like Yelp.

14. Optimize Your Website’s Technology & Security Settings

It may seem strange, but optimizing your website’s technology and security settings can help with Google rankings—and even increase customer trust! Ensure your site is secure with HTTPS or protocol encryption certification, then update all outdated content management system (CMS) software!

15. Link to Other Local Businesses in Your Blog Posts

If you post blog content relevant to other local businesses in your area, consider linking to them at the end of each article! This will not only provide value to your customers but will also help with your local SEO strategy.

16. Update Your Company Logo

Updating your logo can be a great way to improve online rankings and inspire trust in customers, not to mention increase brand awareness! First, make sure you’re using the same logo across all social media platforms, then consider taking advice from other influential business owners in your area.

17. Include a Local Call-to-Action Button on Your Website or Landing Page

Last but not least, make sure you include a call-to-action button that allows users to find businesses just like yours in their area! It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a few words or phrases that make it obvious for users to click. And if you want more ideas for how to grow your business through digital marketing, make sure you check out this article from Forbes.

Bottom Line

The best way to increase your online visibility and get more customers through search engine results is by creating a strong digital marketing strategy. And remember, there’s no better time than the present, so get started ranking higher in search results today!

References

1. Columbia University. (n.d.). Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Local vs. International Marketing – Unleashing Creativity. Retrieved from https://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu
2. Wikipedia Contributors. (2023, September 13). Local search engine optimisation. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_search_engine_optimisation