With a consistent flow of targeted monthly searches, a first-page placement on Google offers a vast amount of exposure for a small business. As the value of search marketing is better understood, building websites, creating Google Business Profiles and submitting to directories have become increasingly common tasks. But while more businesses are investing heavily into SEO, there are still smart (and free) methods for securing some quick page one Google placements.
5 Free Ways for Local Businesses to Get on Page 1 of Google
1. Create a Google Business Profile, optimize it and update it regularly.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free way for a business to be featured in Google Maps and the local pack. And with many businesses failing to optimize their Google Business Profile, there are plenty of opportunities to outperform the competition.
For best results, thoroughly complete each section, including adding high-quality images, relevant attributes, categories, posts and services. Also, don’t forget to respond to customer reviews – 89% of consumers are likely to use a business if it completes this simple task.
2. Write an SEO-optimized location page on your business website.
With most small businesses relying on local consumers, make sure to optimize for your target city. Ultimately, Google wants to deliver the most relevant search results to users. Therefore, an SEO-optimized location page that includes local business schema makes it clear where you are located. If Google determines the location is relevant to the search – even if a location isn’t specified – your site could appear on page one.
Google also uses the information on the location page in conjunction with Local Business Schema to determine whether the business is relevant – and this helps move them up in search results in Google Maps and the local pack.
3. Update/optimize existing service pages that may be placed at the top of page two in search results to move them up to page 1.
An audit of existing website content can produce opportunities for quick improvements. Service pages on page two may not be getting much traffic, but small changes will encourage Google to crawl the page again. Follow these tips for writing website service pages and consider updating headlines and adding new content sections.
4. Apply FAQ schema to applicable pages and blog posts on your website.
FAQs are not limited to existing simply as standalone pages. For example, adding a brief FAQ section to service pages and including questions on blog posts can deliver targeted traffic from Google. Add FAQ schema to questions, and Google will often reward high-quality information with featured snippets at the top of page one.
Google’s Passage update will help your business’ website appear in search results for sections of content on a single page. This is a great way to place in search results for multiple keyword phrases.
5. Write content based on keywords people are searching for.
When you combine engaging content and keyword research, your blog posts deliver value to readers and to Google. To achieve this, use a keyword tool like SEMrush with your Google Search Console data to discover what people are searching for. These searches can form the basis of popular articles that deliver high click-through rates and low bounce rates. Of course, at Rocks Digital, before writing content for our clients’ websites we use detailed keyword research as part of the comprehensive ongoing SEO services we provide.
Plus, doing a Google search for your business’ services and/or products (along with looking at Google’s suggested searches and “People Also Ask”) is a good way to come up with topics to write about.
Expert SEO Help for Improved Search Visibility
Are you trying to get your business listed on page one of Google? At Rocks Digital, our SEO and content marketing services help improve search placement – and drive more traffic to your business. To find out how we can help, call (214) 989-7549 or request a website evaluation now.
