Local SEO: Get Found in Your City and Neighborhood
For searches that include a city or 'near me', Google displays a map pack featuring three businesses. For local businesses, ranking there is often far more valuable than standard organic search results.
Google's Three Ranking Factors
Google identifies three primary factors for local search results: relevance (how well your business matches the search query), distance (how close you are to the searcher), and prominence (how well-known and reputable your business is, both online and offline).
What You Can Improve
You cannot change distance, but you can definitely improve relevance and prominence:
- A complete and optimized Google Business Profile
- Consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP) across the web
- A steady stream of recent reviews, complete with your replies
- Dedicated location pages for each area you serve
- Listings in local directories and local media
Managing Multiple Locations
If you have multiple branches, give each location its own profile and a dedicated landing page on your site with unique business hours and contact details. Magnifi highlights where business details are inconsistent across your locations.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get found in a city where I don't have a physical address?
- Creating dedicated service area pages can help establish relevance for that location, especially for service-based businesses. However, your physical address still plays a major role in Google Maps results.