What is a Google Local Page and How Can I Use it to My Advantage?
In this article we’ll examine the advantages of having your agency listed as a local page on Google.
In many ways, Google can be your agency’s best friend. Providing you regularly update content and effectively manage your keywords, it will reward your site with higher rankings and greater visibility. What’s more, Google is now able to use the location of your business to target anyone nearby searching for your services. Let’s look at how this works and what it could mean for your agency.
What is a Google Local Page?
Let’s imagine that I want to find an estate agent, and without specifying exactly where, I type the words ‘estate agent’ into google. Now, because I live in London, Google shows a small map with the various agencies identified by red circles. Beneath this small map, are the names of three agencies, along with their addresses and phone numbers. Obviously, these three agencies aren’t randomly selected, but are ranked in a similar way that websites are. The first result is by far the most comprehensive, including a photograph, web address, and even some customer reviews. The following two results do not provide the same amount of detail, and understandably appear lower down on Google’s search results. Should I click the name of any of these agencies, Google presents me with one button marked ‘Website’ and another marked ‘Directions’. Clearly, to feature highly on this would mean that anyone nearby looking for an agency would be likely to visit either your website or office.
How Can I Use This to My Advantage?
The advantage of having a Google Local Page should be fairly obvious. It provides your agency with a public presence, and allows your customers to get quick access to everything from your telephone number to opening hours. Amazingly, this is a feature Google still offers for free. By taking the time to properly provide the information Google requests, your business stands a greater chance of being the first thing someone searching for an agency is likely to see. Whilst it’s great to know that your agency ranks highly on Google searches more broadly, it’s also useful to know that people in your local area, looking for property, will be presented with your details above those of your competitors. To register for this service, head over to www.google.com/business and follow the instructions to get listed. All that is required is a google account (they’re free) and the information you want to present.