Google Local Optimization

This service can quite literally put you on the map. Google's first page will show local results in the maps section and being present in that section puts you at the top of the first page, places your reviews in plain site and localizes you. Have multiple locations? Even better. Google Local Optimization in Toronto ensures you’ll be front and centre when your customers go looking for you.

What is Google Local Optimization?

Google Local Optimization is the process of having google recognize your listing as relevant enough to place in their 3 pack.

The Google local portion of the search engine results page has changed over the years. We started off with a 7-pack of results, which was then was reduced to a 5-pack. Now we are down to a 3-pack of business results based on a user’s search, shown below. Sometimes this listing will show a fourth listing that is a paid placement.

The Local 3-Pack

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Google's primary mission (aside from revenue generation) is to organize the world's data. Google wants to ensure that they deliver the most relevant results to searchers. Google does this because it is the only way to ensure people continue to go to them for answers. If they did not offer the best results, users would head to Bing or Yahoo! for their online searching needs.

While Google Local Optimization in Toronto is a form of SEO (search engine optimization), the factors Google considers are different.

Google Maps Ranking Factors

• Proximity of the business to the searcher/user
• Authority of the local business listing based on the number of credible citations that point to back to that listing – as well as consistency between the name, address, and phone number (NAP) of each citation
• Google Local Optimization and completion of the listing itself
• Number of reviews on the listing
• Regular updates to the listing such as photos related to the business
• Inclusion of a Google 360 Business virtual tour

Why is it Important?

Making sure you're present on Google Local is important for a variety of reasons, but we'll offer two.

Appear At The Top Of Organic Results

Google's local 3-pack show at the top of their regular organic listing. This means that they get more attention and more clicks. While it is especially true for desktop searches, it goes double for mobile. On a smartphone, many localized searches only show paid ads on screen-load. You will only see the local 3-pack when you scroll past the first screen of results. Regular organic results are buried below all of that. That’s why Google Local Optimization in Toronto is an essential part of any SEO program.

Stand Out From The Crowd

Users pay a lot of attention to the 3-pack results because they can see the location, the proximity to them, and the review ratings. The section takes up a lot of space, offers a lot of information and subsequently gets a lot of clicks.

These two reasons alone are reasons to be on top of your Google Local Optimization in Toronto. If you are a business with a physical address you are trying to get customers to visit, having a properly optimized Google Local listing is vital in appearing when your customers are looking for you. Even if you only have a head office and aren’t looking to get customers to physically come to your location, seeing a pin on the Google map that shows your business is real and has reviews is a huge signal to potential customers that they can trust your brand.

Why is N.A.P the Most Important Factor? 

Image that you’re planning to take your family to a drive-in movie.

It takes you some time, but eventually the car is packed; chairs, snacks and the kids! You finally get there only to realize the drive-in isn’t there. You’ve actually driven to the wrong address. By the time you figure out where the drive-in really is, it’s too late and the show has already started. You would be frustrated and disappointed with the whole ordeal. This is the worst experience Google could provide to you as a user. If they made too many of these mistakes they would lose market share.

That’s why Google will only put results in the map section that have a high probability of actually being there. That is why having a highly consistent online presence for your brand name, physical address, and phone number, is the most important factor for Google Local Optimization in Toronto. This is known as your “N.A.P.” consistency, and is crucial to getting to the top of the Google Local 3-pack.

Be Consistent

If your business name is Acme and Acme Inc. always write it like that. Even small inconsistencies such as “Acme & Acme Inc” or “Acme and Acme” will cast doubt for Google. After all, one of the first things you had to get right in school was to accurately spell your own name. It’s the same for your business.

Keep in mind that one mistake on one directory can be compounded by other less prominent directory sites scraping and copying that incorrect data. After you are sure your N.A.P. consistency is up to scratch, you want to make sure you’re updating your Google My Business page with new pictures (showing you’re fresh and relevant) as well as encouraging customers to leave reviews. This can be one of the hardest aspects of Google Local Optimization in Toronto, which is why many brands choose to add a reputation management component to their digital marketing mix.

The Consultus Method

Consultus is the leading provider of professional Google Local Optimization in Toronto. Our team of in-house experts are dedicated to optimizing your listing to appear at the top of your desired search results, wherever your business is located. Our unique method uses tried and tested methods to help drive sales to your business immediately.

Optimizing your Google My Business Listing

The first step in the Consultus method is ensuring your Google Local listing is properly optimized to appear in search results. This includes updating all your information, keyword optimizing your business description, refreshing your business photos, ensuring your opening hours are correct, and enabling schema markup to show extra information. This will help your business appear in the right searches on Google and make it more attractive for users to click on.

Ensuring consistent N.A.P.

As mentioned above, consistent N.A.P. is essential in any Google Local Optimization in Toronto. We comb through your various business profiles and listings and make sure they all display the same information. We will also create more business listings in important online directories to provide further signals to Google that your information is accurate and is the best result to serve to their users.

Review Management

Another important sign for Google that your business is legitimate and something worth showing their users is having many reviews associated with it. We help you get quality reviews from your valued customers, and properly optimize them to display correctly on your Google Local listing to garner the most attention from potential clients.

Regular Updates

Google also wants to see that you are regularly updating your Google Local listing, so that your information remains current and your offerings are fresh. We enable cross posting from your social media platforms and blogs to display on your local listing, adding further weight to your business in the eyes of Google.

Are you looking for the best Google Local Optimization Toronto has to offer? Look no further than Consultus. We are passionate about digital marketing and growing our business by growing yours. Contact us today and experience the Consultus difference.