How Does Google Trust Your Local Business?
Google’s biggest fear is sending a potential customer to a local business that no longer exists. Or is closed when Google thinks it’s open. So how does Google know if it can trust your business information? This is where online listing accuracy comes into play. Google scans directories all over the internet looking for your local business information and compares it to the information they have. If it matches, then Google is more likely to trust you and send customers your way. If it doesn’t, you’ll be demoted in the local listings the next time a potential customer searches for your type of business.
When 72% of consumers who perform a local search visit a store within 5 miles of their current location, you can’t afford to have Google demote you because your local business information isn’t accurate.
When 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase, you need to get in front of the customers making these searches.
Where Is My Business Listed Online?
This is just a small list of some of the local search listings that you have to make sure are accurate before Google will trust you.
(Don’t worry, we have a simple, easy system to help keep your listings accurate.)
Google My Business Is Not Enough
You’re on Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook…so you’re doing great, right? Sort of. Google My Business, combined with over 50 online listings, plus online reviews accounts for over 40% of your ability to rank online locally.
When was the last time you checked your reviews online? How often do you proactively request reviews online from your happy clients? Did you know that 89% of users say online reviews influence their buying decisions?
You Can No Longer Ignore Your Online Reviews
90% of Consumers Trust Online Reviews As Much As Personal Recommendations.
You read that right. 90%
About 67% of consumers will read 6 reviews or less before they form an opinion about a given business. Do you have 6 reviews on Google?
When was the last time you looked at your reviews online? Are you monitoring for potential negative reviews (just in case), so you can fix the issue quickly?
Why Are Online Reviews Essential to Local Search Results?
Local search engines love online reviews because consumers love online reviews. They’re in the business of providing people on-the-go or at home with the most accurate information to help them predict and make decisions around their future purchases.
Google My Business + Other Online Directories + Online Reviews
This is the winning combination to getting found locally online. You can’t afford to ignore your online listings and reviews any longer. Check your online listings and take the first step in helping Google help you.
Provaro Marketing is a Google Partner specializing in Google Adwords.
Do you know how your local business shows up online?
When was the last time you checked your business online?