Optimisation for Google Local
How to be in Top 8 on Google Local?
Even if Google is frequently modifying its algorithms for Google Local, we have compiled a list with twelve steps to focus on if you want to return high on this specific list.
1. Register with Google Local Business Center
2. Proximity between your business and the city centre
3. Number of business reviews
4. Local website linking to your site
5. Local phone number (Google seems to penalize numbers sending to central reservation)
6. Quality of reviews
7. City name included in a link anchor text
8. Be listed in non-google local directory, like yell.co.uk; thomsonlocal.com.... It helps Google to validate the accuracy of the information you provide. Try to be at least on ten local business directories.
9. Have keywords of your products/services in the company´s name.
10. Optimize your website content by using Keyword Phrases, including the city in the Meta Tags, Image Name, Body Copy..
11. Domain authority (linked to traditional SEO practice)
12. Include business address on every page.
What not to do:
1. Many Local Business Listing (LBL) with the same address
2. Many LBL with the same phone number
3. Loaded a phone number starting with 0800
4. Multiple LBL with the same company´s name
5. Low customer review rating.
Don't forget to register on the local business list of Yahoo and Msn if your business is in the US. No dates have been released yet about when Yahoo and Msn will launch this service ifor the rest of the world.