Ever wondered why your competitors rank above your business in local search?

One reason might be that your Google Business Profile is poorly optimised.

Here is a checklist to help you improve your local search ranking:

First, if you don't already have one you need to create your Google Business Profile, https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/

- Fill out all relevant sections—business name, address, telephone number, website, hours of operation, and categories.

- Make sure your location is accurate and correctly pinned on Google Maps.

- Use high-quality images. Ideally you should upload professional photos of your business, products, and services.

- Once set up you should create regular posts, updates, offers, and news to keep your profile active.

- Make sure your Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP) are consistent across your website, social media profiles, and online directories.

- Use schema mark-up on your website to provide search engines with structured data about your business, including NAP.

- Ask for Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on Google and other review platforms. Engage with all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank customers and address any issues raised.

- Optimise for Local Keywords. Identify keywords relevant to your business and location (e.g., “plumber in Manchester”).

- Include local keywords in title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and content.

- Create dedicated landing pages for each location if your business has multiple locations.

- Write content that is relevant to your local community, such as local events, news, or guides. Highlight your involvement in local events or sponsorships.
Use Local Case Studies to showcase success stories from local clients.

- List your business in reputable local directories such as Yellow Pages, and local Chamber of Commerce websites.

- Embed a map of your business location on your website’s contact page.

- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many local searches are conducted on mobile devices. Optimise your site for fast loading times on mobile.

- Use location tags in your social media posts to engage with the local audience.

- Share content that is relevant to your community, including local events or promotions.

- Use Google Analytics to monitor local traffic and user behaviour and Google Search Console to track search performance for local keywords.

These are just a few pointers to help you improve your local search ranking. If you need help, reach out to the Warp Design team in Ashford or Alpha Marketing in Leighton Buzzard by mailing hello@warp-design.co.uk .