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How to Rank Highly on Google Local

How Do I Get on Google maps?

To rank highly on Google Maps, you have to get your business on there in the first place. 

To get on Google Maps:
  1. Search for your business in Maps
  2. If it appears, claim the listing
  3. If it doesn’t appear, add it as a place to Maps and claim the listing
To claim your listing:

To claim your listing, you’ll need a Google My Business account where you will have control over what shows up in search results regarding your business. For details on how to get your GMB account set up, head to our blog Introducing Google My Business.

How Can I Rank Higher on Google Local?

Complete your Google My business listing.

Your business’s ranking in Google Maps correlates directly to the completeness and accuracy of your Google My Business listing. Google wants to display as much information about a business to consumers as possible.

To rank higher on Google Maps, each of these areas below need to be complete and optimized specifically to your business.

Enter complete data

Businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to be matched with corresponding searches. Make sure that all of your business information is entered correctly into Google my business so customers easily know what you do, where to find you, and at what time. Be sure to provide the important information such as your physical address, phone number, category and attributes. Keep this information updated as your business changes.

Verify Your Locations

Verify your business’ location to give it the best opportunity to appear when being searched.

Keep business hours up to date

Be sure to enter and update your business open hours as well as special hours for holidays. This lets customers know when they can visit your business and aids in confidence that your location will be open.

Manage and respond to customer reviews

Responding to reviews is a great way to interact with customers that have used your business and shows that you value their feedback. Positive reviews from your customers will increase the likelihood of potential customers visiting your location or even choosing your business over your competition.

Add photos of your business

Adding photos of your business will show potential customers what you have to offer and could even answer any questions they may have. 

How Google Determines your Business’s Local Ranking

Local results are based off of relevance, distance and prominence as these factors are combined to help find the best match for your search.

Relevance

Relevance simply refers to how well a business listing matches what is being searched. This is what makes adding detailed information on your business extremely important so that your listing can be matched to relevant searches by Google.

Distance

Distance simply means how far is each potential search result from the location term used in a search.

Prominence

Prominence refers to how well known a business is and is based on the information that Google collects about a business from across the web such as links or articles. Google review count is factored into local search ranking. Having more reviews and positive ratings posted by your customers will improve your business’s local ranking.

 

Is your business struggling with ranking in the map pack? Contact IFTS and we will help you get started with a free Google my business audit.

Introducing Google My Business

What is Google my business, how does it work, and how should you use it?

First off, you may be wondering, ‘what exactly Google my business actually is?’ According to Google, GMB (google my business) is an application launched in June 2014 to give business owners greater control of what shows up in search results regarding their business.

As a lawyer or a law firm, you may find that Google my business will come in extremely handy to help new clients find your services, contact information, website, or even reviews of your work – all pointing towards why they should hire you over your competitors.

The remainder of this article will discuss how to set up your GMB profile alongside the importance of each section.

Claim Your Profile

The first step to creating your Google My Business profile is claiming the GMB profile for your law firm or small business. The sooner you claim this, the sooner you will appear in organic search results and listings when users are searching for attorneys, lawyers, and law firms in your local area.

Often, Google will take the initiative and create a GMB profile for businesses, this may have already been processed for your firm. This allows clients to discover and engage with your business via organic results.

However, claiming the profile yourself will enable it to become verified – this allows you to respond to customer reviews alongside the ability to edit existing content regarding your business.

Company Name

When setting up your GMB profile you will be asked to provide a company name. Ensure this is entered accurately to help clients find your business.

Phone Number

Providing a business phone number is essential to receive business. If you’re a sole practitioner, this could be your mobile, however, for bigger firms, this should be the number of reception.

Address

Without an address, how are clients going to find you? Ensure you enter your address both accurately and as simple as possible. If it’s a hard to reach area, be sure to specify which number, colour door etc…

Website

Linking your GMB profile to your website will increase leads while allowing customers to see exactly what it is that you do, alongside providing them with means to contact you.

Hours

To complete the hours’ section simply provide your business open hours. This allows customers to know when to ring, when to visit, and when you can be reached for business queries.

Images (Inside, Outside, People)

One aspect of the GMB profile, which many businesses skimp on is the images. This is your time to shine, to show others your impressive law firm or small business and most importantly build trust by displaying employees and their role in the business.

We recommend adding as many pictures as possible to optimize your GMB profile – this will help you rank in search engines such as Google while displaying what exactly you have to  offer.

Here’s what to include:

  • Pictures inside your law firm (reception, offices, impressive views?) or small business (entry, work stations, sales floor)
  • Photos from outside of your law firm or small business (where it is, what it overlooks)
  • Images of those who work there (employees, reception staff, attorneys, even cleaning staff)

Business Description

The description is arguably the most important aspect of your GMB profile. You want this to be both informative and SEO (search engine optimized) friendly. A popular way to approach this is to answer popular questions regarding your business.

For example, what do you do, where you are based, who do you work with, and what you believe in.

You are given a total of 750-characters to fill for this section, we suggest leaving no page unturned and making use of each and every character. The more you answer the better.

Service Categories

As a business owner, Google allows you to select up to ten categories to best suit your business. For example, as a law firm, these categories may include:

  • Law
  • Lawyer
  • Law firms near me
  • Attorneys

Keep in mind that the categories you choose will influence your organic search results. Ensure these are as accurate as possible, best reflecting your businesses interests.

Logo

The minimum size for your logo is 250 x 250 pixels, ensure your logo is not too big nor too small and should be a square. As I’m sure you’re aware, your logo is how clients identify and relate to your business. Keep it simple, relevant, and easy to remember.

Cover Image Size 

As well as uploading your company logo, you will also need to provide a cover photo. The minimum dimensions for this are 480 x 280 pixels while the maximum is 2120 x 1192 pixels. When uploading your cover image ensure this is saved in either JPEG or PNG format, this will provide the highest quality resolution for your profile.

Ask and Answer a Question

As a business owner, Google allows you to ask and answer popular questions. For example, you may ask, ‘where are you located,’ ‘what sort of law do you deal with,’ or alternatively, ‘how do I contact you?’. These questions and answers provide users answers hassle free answers without the need to consult your business beforehand.

Reviews

Reviews on Google provide valuable information about your business to both you and your customers. Business reviews appear next to your listing in Maps and Search, and can help your business stand out on Google.

To get reviews on Google, encourage your customers to spread the word about your business by following these best practices:

  • Remind your customers to leave reviews. Let them know that it’s quick and easy to leave business reviews on mobile devices or desktop computers.
  • Reply to reviews to build your customers’ trust. Your customers will notice that your business values their input, and are more likely to leave more reviews in the future.
  • Verify your business so your information is eligible to appear on Maps, Search, and other Google services. Only verified businesses can respond to reviews.

As mentioned previously, clients may leave reviews based on dealings with your business. Once your account is verified, you’ll be able to reply to these reviews. Keep it friendly, short, and thank your reviewers regardless of their comments.

For further information on how to deal with both positive and negative reviews, you can visit Google’s support page here.

Profile Verified and Owned by Your Firm 

Verifying your business allows it so that your business appears to customers in search results and maps. This will also allow you to respond to reviews, along with other management benefits. For further information on verifying your business, you can visit this link here.   

 

Need help creating or optimizing your Google My Business profile? Contact IFTS and we will get you started with a free 13 point profile audit.

Why Google Reviews Are Important For Legal Firms

What is the first step for consumers who are looking for an attorney to represent their legal matters? Not many want to ask for personal referrals, especially when dealing with some embarrassing law subjects. Thankfully, the internet is a great source of information for any business inquiry consumers may have. 

When consumers are looking for an attorney in Pennsylvania to represent them, they turn online to Google in search of answers. They can read recommendations and experiences left by past clients to know if you may be a good fit. The more positive reviews you have, the higher your chances are of being chosen over your competition. Google reviews are an essential part of your digital marketing strategy that helps showcase your law firm’s ability to represent clients.

Reviews Improve Your Firm’s Online Reputation

Positive reviews are an essential part of your online reputation. It helps improve your credibility to prospects and convince them of your legal capability.

 In a recent survey by marketing firm iLawyerMarketing, 84% of the respondents said they would only consider hiring a PA Attorney or legal firm that has a review score over 4 stars and higher. This implies they won’t even consider a firm with no reviews. So if you don’t have good Google reviews, or any at all, your clients may be going to your competitors.

If you are looking for an easy, yet effective way to increase your business’s online reputation head to our Reviewlead + IFTS   site to learn more and begin your FREE trial!

Reviews Can Increase Your Visibility

Google loves reviews. It’s one of the major factors the algorithm considers for ranking. Google reviews increase your SEO and make you more visible to your prospects.

More and more people are typing ‘legal firm in Pennsylvania’ into Google’s search box, and having many reviews will push your firm to the top of those searches. 

Studies from Pew Research Centre show that about 65% of people who read reviews online read at least five different reviews before making a purchase decision.

Reviews Improve The Traffic To Your Website

Who wouldn’t love free traffic? That’s what getting reviews can offer your firm. Every smart business appreciates the importance of organic search engine traffic. People searching for PA attorneys in Pennsylvania are part of your local target market that is willing to pay for the services. 

They have no specific choice in mind but won’t just pick any firm without seeing what others are saying about them. Your Google reviews will show up next to your business name, anyone searching will be drawn to click to your website. 

Reviews Help You Attract Customers

Positive reviews give your legal firm a better standing in the Pennsylvania online community. According to 2017 research, over 75% of consumers seek legal help search online. The study further stated that over 97% of those people consider online reviews when choosing the ideal legal firm.

You Can Receive Feedback To Improve Your Services

There is an atom of truth in every criticism. Reviews act as valuable feedback. You can use customer’s suggestions or criticism received through Google reviews to improve your legal service.

Positive online reviews can give your law firm a higher standing as they reveal what past clients have to say about their experience with your firm. Positive reviews can put your firm at the top of the list for prospecting clients needing an attorney to handle their legal affairs.

When asking for reviews, there is always a chance of negative ones being left among all of the positive reviews. Although negative reviews can lower your overall Google rating, they can also provide you with opportunities to see where your business needs improvement.