What are the main requirements to local SEO and ranking factors to optimize for?

In this brief overview, I tried to pull together the main areas of optimization and local SEO ranking factors of the preeminent importance for every online business operating at the level of locales. Basically, all about organic rankings in local SEO and factors considered by Google search engine are falling into three general areas of your Google My Business page (otherwise, GMB),. Here they are: Genuine Owner, Google Reviews, and Photos. That being said, below let’s quickly run through each of them.

Local SEO: Ranking Factors of Top Importance

Regarding Google My Business page, there are just three main factors that will have the most crucial impact on your local ranking potential. Make sure to get everything in place with the following.

Genuine Owner

No need to say that the claiming your GMB page is arguably the first thing to be done when getting down to the Search Engine Optimization at the level of locales. Here are the main elements for you to optimize and fill in correctly. Ultimately – to tell Google that you’re a verified owner of the business, and have everything in place with the following:

• Create a unique and sufficiently long description of your online business.
• Be specific when choosing business categories, avoid using too generic definitions or those already in use by your closest neighboring market opponents.
• Keep all details accurate and up-to-date, in line with uploading at least five photos.

Google Reviews

Let’s face it – the number of reviews and their net positive value should be considered among top local SEO ranking factors, as they have the highest correlation with the actual website’s positions in organic SERPs. Once again, we all need to really take this in – reviews are arguably the ultimate ranking signal considered by Google’s sophisticated ranking algorithm, first and foremost. Recognizing their importance, here are the key takeaways for you to have everything in place with the following:

• Before anything else, make sure to completely understand the main guidelines for reviews by Google itself.
• Don’t hesitate to ask your clients for reviews – either by way of printing out a QR code (for example, on your receipts, business cards, email letters, social media engagement, etc.), or simply ask people in person when they are buying/ordering with you.
• Make it easier for clients to drop a review – give them a link to your GMB page, or you might as well generate a direct link to the review form. Also, consider setting up a specific landing page for customer reviews.

Photos

I’m going to be captain obvious here and tell you that the number of photos on your GMB page does matter to the search engines a lot. Put simply, the more clear and showcasing images you get, the better. Hint: hiring a professional photographer would be a wise decision anyway. Consider the following suggestions when shooting your best business photos:

• Cover the location itself – both interior, and exterior. People will be interested in everything around your business, for example, like retail area, parking lot, building, etc.
• Upload a picture of yourself – adding a bit of your personal touch to the whole business will make it more friendly to every potential client.
• Team photos are also great, consider shooting your staff employees at work, as well as hiring a photographer.
• You can also take some pictures of your happy clients (but don’t forget to politely ask for their permission).
• After all, clearly showcase the best sides of your product/service to look even more impressive with your business.