What is Google’s Local Map Pack?
Recently, Google has changed the Google Map Pack or popularly known as the Google local 3 pack. Previously, seven local results were displayed on a page underneath the ads, after you gave google a query. Now, only three local results are displayed underneath the ads. Even the black carousel for displaying restaurants and hotels are no more there.
Drastic right? So, if you are wondering what the local 3 pack is, it simply refers to the local 3 suggestions displayed on a google page after the ads. The question now is, what does that mean for your business?
To answer this, we need to understand how the local 3 pack actually works. Well, anytime you enter a query into google, and the system seems to believe you are searching for a business;it will display three local companies as results for your search right underneath the ads.
The reviews of these companies are also displayed provided they are available. Other business are displayed after you click on more options. You can imagine how important it is for your business to be in the top three positions. I am going to ask you to imagine a scenario: Imagine you sell pizza as do 8 other restaurants.
Anytime someone is in your vicinity and asks google about pizza restaurants, the most visible results they would have are the local 3 pack. I don’t believe I need to continue the illustration. However, in case you are wondering what benefits there are to your business to be seen first; the explanation is simple….
Academic research has proven 91% of google searchers do not go beyond page 1. That means they usually get what they are searching for at first glance. From the example above, the restaurants in the Google local 3 pack would be generating more leads than other businesses through visibility on the search engine.
How to get into the local top 3 pack
Businesses in less competitive markets enjoy quicker entry into the top 3 results as compared to others. Fortunately, there a number of strategies for developing your business’s standing to be included in the local 3 pack. They are:
Make your business location Ideal
Google has revived the need for business to improve their locations. The local 3 pack commonly displays results from centralized locations. You may be wondering if moving your businesses to be listed in the local 3 pack is worth it. Moving to a new location is a huge hassle, but remember, the number of leads generated from being listed in the pack exceedingly outweighs the stress of moving. However we have a strategy that overcomes this without you having the hassle of moving.
Improving your business profile on Google My Business
Take advantage of this opportunity and update your business profile with accurate and relevant information. Incorporate pictures into your profile as well as optimizing your business description by using key phrases potential clients usually search for.
A High Organic Ranking
If your business appears high on the first page of google, in the organic listings, for the main serch term in your industry, this seems to help improve google local listing as well. The moral of that story is that getting in the top 3 of the MAP pack is just part of an overall SEO strategy that you should be imlementing on your website straight away.
See our SEO services for more information.
Citations
Finally ensure there are multiple listings with consistent information about your business across the internet universe. Citations are places on the internet where your NAP appears. This is Name, Address and Phone number. The more times your NAP is mentioned the higher up towards the 3 Pack you go. These can be anywhere from directories such as Yelp and My Builder to social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter et al. Even your address at the bottom of your website is a citation.
One of the first things we do when launching a new online brand is to get the business cited in as many places as we can. This is long, arduous work, filling in form after form. But hey, someone has got ot do it to get ranked!
All these measures should adequately place your business in the local 3 pack.
If your business does not appear in the top 3. Please contact us, we can help
