15 Years Of SEO, PPC, Analytics & Digital Marketing Experience. Have managed Google AdWords accounts for over 15 years.
Author: BOB STEIN
Consultant/adviser with 15 years of digital marketing experience specializing in SEO, Local SEO, Google AdWords Management (Certified), WordPress, Social/Content Marketing, Google Analytics (Certified), and Google My Business (Certified).
Google AdWords – Create, manage and optimize keywords, ads, extensions, cost per conversion, ROI, and quality score. Google AdWords Certified with 7 other Google Certifications.
SEO Tools – Use pro SEO, AdWords & competitor research websites
Google loves local SEO. Users find Google’s “Top 3 Map Pack” extremely convenient. A large percentage of Google users query local keywords for goods and services. Google local search has completely made the Yellow Pages outdated.
The first place to start is to use Google My Business, free service that creates a profile for your business and plays a huge role in local SEO.
The most important thing is to remember when submitting to local directories is to input the same Name, Address and Phone Number (NAP) for each listing you create so Google doesn’t get confused.
With local directory submissions, you will find you will not only rank in Google for your own business (hopefully even higher than before) but you will also see results in the “Top 3 Map Pack.” This is because Google trusts qualitative and authoritative local directory and review sites.
Used Google Chrome’s form auto-fill function to make the job much easier. There is a piece of software called Roboform that you need to pay for, but I found that Google Chrome did the trick and worked well enough for me.
Free local citation directories are getting harder to find, but they are still out there. Now is the time to get your information into their systems. Watch out for spammy local directory clones as they might be a waste of your time and should be avoided.
Once see your local directory business information begin to get indexed by Google it benefits you.
Change-up your business description on most sites to make it unique. Make sure to fully input all the right categories and keywords the citation sources let you.
Do not upgrade for additional services.
Google “free local directories” and find lists like the one below from HubSpot (old but still useful) and Yext. Only submit to the free ones.
