As all successful agency owners know, a consistent local SEO strategy is vital for increasing search visibility. At Advice Local, we have long promoted the benefits of local listing management software, citation building and other proven SEO methods. But as you are probably aware, SEO takes time – and the more complex the strategy, the less profit an agency typically retains. Today we’re offering an alternative way to create an SEO strategy that requires minimal maintenance, yet delivers client satisfaction and profitable returns.

The Critical Elements of a Local SEO Strategy

The best local SEO strategies integrate personalized methods (content creation and social media strategies tailored for each client) with streamlined services (real-time data distribution and hands-off citation building). Here are the main elements of a local SEO strategy for small business clients.

Optimize Business Listings

In the past, agencies could rely on a set-and-forget approach to business listings. Today however, with Google and others aiming to deliver up-to-the-minute information to searchers, the GBP (Google Business Profile), Bing Places, as well as similar platforms need more direct involvement. While each directory does vary, here are some recommendations for a GBP listing.

• Add NAP, opening hours, a description and attributes.
• Maintain consistent data using our GBP Sync tool.
• Add high-quality images that showcase the business.
• Create Google Posts featuring offers, events and updates.
• Respond to every customer review, positive and negative.
• Monitor profile quality with our Google Authority Score.

Take Advantage of Data Aggregators

When it comes to understanding local SEO, it’s critical to truly grasp the concept that Google, Bing and others strongly want to avoid conflicting business data. When search engines can’t determine the exact location of a business, they are quite reluctant to give it prominence. Fortunately, you can avoid instances of bad data by syndicating consistent information to every significant listing platform.

To help accomplish this, Advice Local uses data aggregators to distribute your clients’ information to every important search engine, directory and mobile app. And if that data needs to be changed, our real-time solution gets the job done.

Use GPS and Mapping Apps

From smartphones to in-dash navigation, it has never been easier for people to reach local businesses while on the move. When consumers look up a local store they could easily be making a purchase – within minutes. Consequently, any serious local SEO strategy must incorporate GPS and mapping apps. You can submit your clients’ data manually or use our GPS accelerators for straightforward syndication.

Simplified Reporting

As an agency reporting back to clients, you must not overlook the reporting aspect of local SEO. Companies want to know what you’ve done and how the strategy is working. Thankfully, by partnering with the right local SEO software company you will benefit from automated reporting. Clients receive a detailed monthly SEO report – complete with your agency branding.

Get Found With Voice Search

We’ve intentionally left this critical component of a local SEO strategy until last. But just because voice search doesn’t get enough attention, you certainly should not be among those ignoring it. As part of a collection of listing management services, voice search optimization reaches Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Google Home and other uses in your clients’ local areas. And while you might not know it yet, at Advice Local we let you create voice apps in moments – directly through our dashboard solution.

Create a Local #SEO Strategy for Your Small Business Clients by @BernieColeman #Marketing
Click To Tweet

Simple Local SEO for Marketers and Digital Agencies

Advice Local helps agency clients streamline their SEO and local marketing strategies with high-quality tools. Our listing management software offers simple solutions for local presence management. To see for yourself, request a demo now or call (214) 310-1356.

The post Create a Local SEO Strategy for Your Small Business Clients appeared first on Advice Local.

From the initial research phase to getting directions to the business’ location, consumers are increasingly taking advantage of mapping apps. As a leading provider of GPS business listing services, over the years we’ve seen firsthand the rise in proximity-based searches. And with big brands dominating most general searches, local map searches are a primary area where agencies can deliver massive value to their clients. If you don’t have a GPS data distribution system in place, here’s what you need to know.

Why Map Apps Matter for Local Businesses

In their simplest form, map apps chart the locations of points of interest around the world. But as products like Google Maps and Apple Maps have continued to develop, today they offer searchers so much more.

Business listings naturally include a name, address and phone number (NAP), but they might also include customer reviews, a description, questions and answers, photos and attributes. And with as many as 46% of Google searches having local intent, this offers a valuable sales tool for local businesses.

What Map Apps and In-Dash Navigation Solutions Matter More Than Ever?

Last year, you may remember we suggested five mapping apps and navigation solutions you can’t ignore. Of course, the ever-popular Google Maps was present, along with Apple Maps and Waze. However, we have consistently advocated for a broader syndication approach that targets a host of GPS devices and in-dash navigation systems, as well as those emerging technologies such as self-driving cars.

The ability to get found wherever people are searching is one of the most straightforward ways to reach targeted consumers. According to Google, 88% of people who conduct a local search via smartphone end up visiting the store within one week. Now consider the same outcome for a person using Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Mazda and other in-dash navigation solutions.

More often than not, consumers using mapping apps are deep into the buying cycle, so a carefully crafted GPS directory listing can be enough to secure a new customer. With minimal effort, your local business clients can get real-world results from a broad-reaching mapping app strategy.

How to Get Listed on Mapping Apps

If you’ve been following Advice Local for a while you already know we are committed to distributing business listings far and wide – while also eradicating bad data. But why does this matter? Well, to succeed long-term your local clients must be discoverable on both the obvious platforms like Google Maps, and the smaller services that are just emerging. You cannot ignore these. It’s crucial that they receive accurate, consistent data to satisfy the needs of consumers.

Our Data Amplifier Network meets both demands by distributing consistent business data to a vast network of platforms – mapping apps, GPS POI databases, devices like Garmin and TomTom, wearables, in-dash navigation and more.

Getting Found on Map Apps

Last but not least, the data you provide to each platform matters. Take advantage of the chance to offer keyword-rich descriptions, opening hours, high-quality images – and any other option the mapping app allows. Our listing management services provide opportunities for optimization, and this can truly make all the difference in visibility. When allied with customer reviews and search proximity, optimized listings have the best chance of being discovered by targeted consumers in the area.

Using Map Apps to Help Local Businesses Get Found by @BernieColeman #SEO #Mapping
Click To Tweet

Best Mapping Apps and GPS Data Distribution Services

For local businesses to get found on mapping apps, in-dash navigation and other GPS platforms they need a data distribution service they can trust. Advice Local works with local marketers and agencies in syndicating data to the critical platforms. To find out more, request a demo or call (214) 310-1356 today.

The post Using Map Apps to Help Local Businesses Get Found appeared first on Advice Local.

2022 was another big year for local marketing, with plenty of new updates, insights and strategies to discuss. As always, a lot was happening within the Google ecosystem, but we also saw innovations across the wider local search marketing sphere. Each year at Advice Local we highlight the most popular blog posts and draw attention to some content you may have missed. So, let’s start our roundup of the year with the post that gained the most traffic in 2022.

10 Most Popular Local Search Posts of 2022

1. Google Business Profile Features You Can’t Get Elsewhere

You probably won’t be too surprised by the topic of our most popular blog post of the year – the Google Business Profile (GBP). An optimized GBP remains one of the most effective ways to improve search visibility and grab an all-important local pack position. In 2022 Google made some significant updates to the service, and Advice Local was on the scene with the product features you need to succeed.

2. Best Practices for Writing Business Listing Descriptions

Business listing descriptions can be one of the most challenging parts of creating a profile – and this point was highlighted by our runner-up for the most popular article. In this post, we offered some best practices for crafting engaging business descriptions, from building a keyword list to demonstrating credibility.

3. The Value of Near Me Search Optimization in 2023

2022 saw a lot of discussion around the topic of “near me” searches in Google. The late 2021 Google Vicinity update led to some sites losing local pack placements after a crackdown on business name spam. But was this the end of “near me” search optimization? In this article, we looked at why hyperlocal optimization still matters.

4. Google Maps Is Now Featuring Updates From Customers

During the early part of the year, agencies and local marketers began to pay attention to a Maps update from Google. An “Updates from customers” feature allowed users to submit their own business photos along with a message. This post focused on the need for close business listing management, as Google looked to roll out additional user-generated content features.

5. Mapping Apps & Navigation Solutions You Can’t Ignore

This blog post looked at one of the core aspects of search visibility for local businesses – mapping apps and in-dash navigation solutions. Along with outlining the importance of a mapping and GPS navigation strategy, we listed our top picks for the best mapping apps your clients should be listed on.

6. Is “Near Me” Search Optimization Effective in 2022?

A second “near me” search optimization article in our top 10 highlights the interest in hyperlocal search in 2022. This blog post offered a strategy for your business clients who lost search visibility from Google’s updates, and showed why relevance, proximity and prominence are so important.

7. A Refresher on Data Aggregators & Why Businesses Need Them

Citations are still a cornerstone of local search marketing, and this doesn’t look likely to change. However, any approach to citation building needs to focus on data accuracy and distribution to quality listings platforms. In this post from February 2022 we looked at data aggregators – platforms that distribute business data to hundreds of relevant sites.

8. A Google Business Profile Roundup, Including Dispelling a GBP Myth

Straightforward GBP errors consistently prevent quality businesses from achieving significant local pack visibility. We used this particular post to address a couple of GBP myths and mistakes that we have noticed, including a common link-building mistake that keeps reappearing.

9. Justifications Are Appearing in Google Maps, Images & More

In this article from June, we covered two GBP topics to improve search visibility. The first update was Google’s addition of justifications for Maps mobile, which included business categories and review snippets. The second key update demonstrated the importance of adding images to a GBP.

10. These Key Factors Can Influence the Local Pack in Many Ways

The big three ranking factors made up a key local search theme of 2022. These factors are relevance, proximity and prominence, and in this blog post we detailed how they influence local presence – and why they matter to local businesses.

Honorable Mentions Go to These Local Search Articles

These additional popular articles that our readers loved deserve an honorable mention!

How to Improve a Website’s Placement With the Right Content

This article was published back in 2019, but it’s just as relevant today. The post shows the right way to create content to improve a website’s placement.

Why Business Listings Are Essential for Local Businesses

Why do we keep returning to the subject of business listings? To be brief, their importance should never be underestimated. This post demonstrated why business listings are so essential – and which platforms are most crucial.

How to Run a Google Business Profile Audit & Why It Matters

Auditing a Google Business Profile usually highlights opportunities to enhance a listing. Back in November of 2022 we outlined an auditing method for agencies and local marketers to use with their clients’ profiles.

Our Most Popular Local Search Post (Published in 2015)

How to Submit a Business Listing to Foursquare

This post deserves a mention because it was published in 2015 – yet still managed to win over the most visited article of 2022. Follow the step-by-step guide to submitting a business listing to Foursquare.

A Popular Local Search Post Published in 2021

2021 Local Search Ranking Factors – Applying Them in 2022

This local search ranking post (published at the end of 2021) is second runner-up in 2022 over all the other topics for traffic. Interestingly, an article on the Local Ranking Factors made the top 10 last year, receiving the most traffic in 2021.

Most Visited Product Page

Enhanced GBP Tool for Agencies

Our Enhanced GBP Tool was a big success in 2022, with agencies loving the GBP Sync, GBP Auto-Rejection, Google Authority Score and Profile Insights features. Try it for yourself and see how easy it is to optimize a GBP listing.

Most Visited Resource

Applying E-A-T to a Google My Business Listing

Google EAT was as relevant as ever in 2022, and we were pleased to provide a leading resource on the subject. Our downloadable content showed how to apply Google EAT to a GBP listing for an improved Google authority score.

That brings our most popular local search content of 2022 to a close. If you’re looking for our prediction on the big theme for 2023, the safest bet is with the Google Business Profile. Continuing the theme of 2022, the GBP will surely be at the forefront of local search marketing for the upcoming year.

The Top 10 Local #Search Topics of 2022 by @BernieColeman #GBP #SEO
Click To Tweet

Level Up Your Local Marketing Strategies in 2023

2023 will be another busy year at Advice Local with new digital marketing insights and strategies. If you want to offer the best services to your local business clients, make sure to stay tuned to our local marketing blog.

We also operate the industry’s leading local presence management tool, providing real-time listings management and data distribution. Request a demo today or call (214) 310-1356 to learn more.

The post The Top 10 Local Search Topics of 2022 appeared first on Advice Local.

Last time we were here we shared the Special GBP Edition: Google Business Profile Features You Can’t Get Elsewhere. Today, we’re focusing 100% on business listings and more specifically, the questions to ask when hiring a local citation builder.

Hiring a local citation builder is one of the quickest ways to build authority, credibility and trust with search engines. But with numerous listing management services promising to distribute business data far and wide, how can you know who to trust? Unfortunately, making the wrong choice could lead to bad data, incorrect listings – and significantly reduced local visibility. With so much on the line, we have compiled the top five questions to ask a citation builder.

5 Essential Questions to Ask a Citation Builder

Professional citation-building companies typically offer various local presence management services. Here are the questions you can ask to identify well-rounded specialists that can deliver long-term search visibility.

1. How Much Do You Charge to Build Citations?

Understanding the costs of a citation-building campaign allows an agency to budget appropriately. In practice, determining the best value for your money is often a bit difficult, as listing management companies operate different business models. From individual submission costs to monthly or yearly subscriptions, you will need to look closely at what’s being offered.

And while the fees are important, try to put the overall pricing into context. For example, how many quality citations can the company deliver, and do they distribute data to relevant directories?

Crucially, pay attention to whether they offer paid inclusion or paid insertion. At Advice Local, we provide paid insertion, which means links remain intact after the business is no longer a customer. Other providers use paid inclusion, with data remaining intact only as long as you stay subscribed.

With paid insertion, the data will remain intact even after you’re no longer contracting with us for business listing management. However, over time it can be (and usually is) overwritten by other sources that might be delivering bad data. This is exactly why it is extremely important to maintain an active listing management campaign for local businesses.

2. How Do You Identify What Listings to Use?

An indication of a quality citation builder can be seen in the types of platforms included in its distribution network. Plenty of low-quality directories and platforms will accept listings, but they often do more harm than good. In contrast, using a time-tested, proven network of diverse platforms increases a business’ trust and authority with users and search engines.

Advice Local created the Data Amplifier Network with this idea in mind. The network contains only the very best platforms, covering search providers, navigation systems, mobile apps, premier directories, mapping platforms and much more. Syndication across these leading sites ensures a business gets found through the channels its customers are most likely to use.

In addition, Advice Local’s network is made up of directories that are trusted by other data sources. This means that when a business’ data is distributed through our network, it can reach many more data sources than those listed in our network.

3. How Do You Submit the Business’ Information to the Directory?

Business information is submitted manually or through automation, with both solutions having pros and cons. As demonstrated by our citation services compared graphic, leading citation builders take different approaches to data submission.

Submitting listings by hand is a time-consuming process that requires a business to wait for results. In comparison, automated submissions are much quicker – but they require dependable technology to ensure accurate business information.

At Advice Local we take a hybrid approach, using both manual submission and a robust automated process with bulk imports and/or via API. This method is highly effective, as citations are delivered in real time, allowing agencies to show their clients up-to-the-minute progress. And we retain the flexibility to submit by hand for those less accessible platforms.

Since we distribute the data in real time, your client can see their visibility increase almost instantly. Plus, we continually monitor the data we distribute, and if it becomes inaccurate for some reason (such as another data source overriding it), we will correct it automatically.

Here at Advice Local we include many additional features, such as a Voice Search Readiness Test. This will help you understand if your clients are voice-search ready. We know the data sources that voice assistants trust, and we ensure your clients are listed in these sources.

4. Do They Provide Additional Services as Part of Their Listing Management Service?

Agencies and local marketers have come to expect more from citation builders and listing management services. For example, access to white-label features helps agencies communicate with clients and deliver superior results.

Advice Local provides a white-label lead generation widget for local marketers and agencies to place on their website. We have a landing page that can be branded with the agency’s logo and colors. We also offer automated reporting that can be set up to email monthly to the agency’s client, also with agency branding.

Advice Local empowers partners with additional services that enhance citations to maximize visibility. We have Enhanced Google Business Profile tools that are not available elsewhere. For example, the Google Authority Score (GAS) demonstrates the effectiveness of a Google Business Profile (GBP) using metrics like Brand Influence, Engagement Visibility and Influence Velocity. Advice Local partners can use this information to build greater authority and an increased chance of improved local presence.

We offer GBP Sync features to maintain the accuracy of the Google Business Profile, and we have a GBP auto-rejection feature for public edits.

Advice Local includes Bing Places in our network at no additional cost. We make public edits to Yelp for free, and also include distributing to the data aggregators. Most other listing management companies charge additional fees for these services.

In addition, we provide a premium listing on Judy’s Book, which is enabled with voice profile technology. Not only do businesses get free access to the high-quality voice-enabled directory, they also receive 1,000 monthly ad impressions on competitor listings at no extra cost.

5. Will You Help Me Claim any Existing Listings?

Taking control of a listing ensures the business can maintain consistent data and as the owner, make necessary changes. For the listings that are claimed through Advice Local, both the login and password are provided in the partner dashboard. For the directories in our network that are not claimed listings, we can still maintain the accuracy of the data through other methods.

Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Citation Builder by @BernieColeman #SEO
Click To Tweet

Best Choice Local Citation Builder for Agencies and Brand Partners

Advice Local is a premier listing management and citation-building company for agencies and digital marketing partners. We offer a range of local presence management services, delivering fast, hassle-free improvements to search visibility. To find out more, call (214) 310-1356 or request a demo today.

The post Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Citation Builder appeared first on Advice Local.

Last week we discussed how to complete a Google Business Profile audit. Since we’re all about helping local marketers and agencies support their local business and service area business clients’ places in search results, we’re going to discuss how to complete an audit of their business listings distributed around the web.

Three Methods for Conducting a Business Listing Audit

There are a few ways to conduct a business listing audit. We’re going to start with the most simple and go from there.

1. Run Our Online Visibility Report

Advice Local’s Online Visibility Report is one of the easiest ways to check the visibility of a local business on the top directories, data aggregators and mapping apps. Our free Online Visibility Report will also display if the business is voice search-ready.

2. Search the Business’ Name on Google

By searching the business’ name on Google (using quotation marks around the name), you will be able to identify the sites that mention the business. There’s likely to be a quantity of results to funnel through in order to spot the directories. You’ll need to click through to a directory to manually audit the business’ name, address, phone number and categories. For future reference, we recommend placing the links to these sources in a spreadsheet with the audit results.

3. Search the Business’ Address on Google

To ensure you find all mentions of the business online, you’ll also want to search by address. Searching this way will help you discover any inconsistencies in the business name. Plus, you’ll be able to spot other businesses sharing the address – businesses that may have been located there in the past.

We’ve just hit the high points in a citation audit. However, we have a citation audit and clean-up guide to walk you through each component of a citation audit.

Why Is a Citation Audit Important?

What makes a citation audit such a must-do? Just consider the NAP data. Inconsistencies in name, address and phone number info about a business on the web damages trust with search engines and consumers alike.

While the 2021 Local Search Ranking Factors Survey showed that citations are less important than they once were, they remain significant.

As an example, one of our Advice Local partners was having issues with Google automatically changing their client’s Google Business Profile (GBP) address back to an old one. Because the old address was listed in online directories, the business used postcard verification to confirm the new address. Despite this action, the new address continued to revert to the old automatically! This business hadn’t contracted with the agency for business listing management, and this was causing issues with the GBP and online visibility in the local pack. Today, the partner is having trouble getting Yelp to accept its new address, as the old address still reappears. So how influential are citations? We’ll let you decide for yourself.

Are You Helping Your Local Business Clients Get Found in Search Results?

Agencies and local marketers love our business listing management solution, and for good reason. Advice Local partners can:

1. Run unlimited Baseline Reports. This report offers a great way to start a conversation with prospective clients.
2. Add our lead generation widget to their website. Partners can offer a freebie to those that visit their website, and get leads they can follow up with.
3. Use a landing page branded with their logo that allows prospects to run a free Online Visibility Report. This is an excellent option when a partner doesn’t want to integrate the widget on their website.

With the options mentioned above, all the leads generated populate in your Advice Local partner dashboard for your follow-up. These leads are yours – we do not contact them, and other partners have no access to view them.

How to Complete a Business Listing Audit & Why You Need To by @BernieColeman #SEO
Click To Tweet

Request a Demo of Our Business Listing Management Solution Today

At Advice Local, we’re all about providing the best listing management solutions for our partners. Request a demo and find out more today!

The post How to Complete a Business Listing Audit & Why You Need To appeared first on Advice Local.