The Basics on Google Local Algorithm

15 August 2017

Being at the top of Google search results page has been one of the goals of various businesses ever since the advent of the search engine giant. Landing the top ranking spot can help draw traffic to your page and increase the effectiveness of your website.

Many have tried to breakdown the factors that affect Google ranking and a study in 2016 has made an analysis of the various factors that Google use in its rankings. The study determined which of the different factors correlate either positively or negatively with local rankings in the Google search results page. This study is very helpful in guiding businesses when prioritizing for their local SEO plans.

Contents

1 The Factors that Affect Google Rankings
2 Going Forward With Google & amp; The Search Engines

The Factors that Affect Google Rankings

1. Website

The use of keywords and the number of words on a page actually have a huge impact on the rankings. Location pages with a lot of information written have a tendency to fare better than those with less content. Put quality information on your website on different broad topics to help draw traffic towards your site. Crafting a quality small business website design is crucial from the start and best to hire a professional.

2. Links

Backlinks affect your local rankings. In fact, it has the most positive correlation with good rankings. The infamous Toolbar PageRank is no longer a current tool but there are many other tools similar to the toolbar that can gauge the quality of a site. The study has shown that sites with older links are doing better than the newer ones.

3. Google My Business

Having good reviews and verified information about your business, as well as photos of your location and products, all contributed to stronger rankings. It can be due to the reliable information that these sites have attracted more interaction with the searchers. Therefore, make sure that in every channel you have, you put in their the basic information about your business. Lastly, revamp your Google My Business pages because it also helps immensely in supplying information.

4. Citations

One of the surprising findings of the study is that citations did not seem to correlate with positive local rankings. However, the researchers have pointed out that citations do help if the business or website is at its foundation stage. But once the groundwork has been laid down and all the citations have been made, further citing will not make any difference.

5. Surprises

The study had a huge surprise when the researchers found out that the “City & State” information in the Google My Business page does not have any correlation with positive ranking. Therefore, geotargeting should not be all the craze. Keywords, however, do help.

Going Forward With Google & amp; The Search Engines

Knowing what are the factors when Google ranks pages and which factor to prioritize will help you be more efficient and effective. In sum, if you are a new player in the business, lay down your citations as fast and as effectively as you can and then move on to getting backlinks, especially in competitive markets.

Having your business have a solid SEO mechanism will help you entice a larger audience, promote your products effectively, and open your business to new opportunities.

Read also:

Avoid These 5 Mistakes Before Starting An SEO

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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The salary of an in-house SEO Manager alone can cost you up to $65,000. Though the initial cost of hiring a contractor might seem exorbitant, it is more cost-effective over the years. This is especially true when you consider you’ll eventually need to replace your team members, which takes time for recruitment and additional training. Expertise: SEO is a dynamic and multi-disciplinary process that needs consistent attention for it to be fully effective. It is a complex process with a steep learning curve. Agencies specializing in SEO are fully equipped with the tools of the trade. They also stay on top of constant search engine algorithm updates and rule changes. A qualified company can provide you with the most effective SEO strategies to date. Additionally, SEO experts know how to handle the analytics of your website. They’ll interpret data, locate blind spots in the metrics, and pinpoint data relevant to conversion, in addition to many other skills. Focus on Operations: SEO is an important aspect of marketing, but it shouldn’t overtake your main job: running your business. Entrusting your SEO campaign to professionals will allow you to focus your efforts. You do not have to divide your attention between your operations and having to keep up with the frequent SEO updates and trends. Long-Term Maintenance: Employing the proper SEO techniques can provide lasting results. However, it is not a one-time deal; it is an ongoing and quickly evolving effort that needs constant upkeep. If you want the benefits of an SEO campaign, you have to be in it for the long haul. The campaign requires regular updates to your website, content, and social media spaces, so it’s convenient to let someone else do all the legwork. Selecting an SEO Company Once you’ve decided to outsource your SEO campaign to contractors, the next step is to choose which SEO company you trust. There are a staggering number of SEO agencies throughout the world who will be willing to take on your campaign, but do they have the qualifications and integrity required? For example, in Canada alone, there are many digital marketing companies willing to take your money. Businesses in Toronto, Scarborough, and North York needing digital marketing services will be faced with a large number of options. Of course, there is the option of hiring providers outside of the country. Deciding whom to trust with your campaign requires ample consideration and research. In your search for a reliable SEO company, consider: Cost: This depends on several factors, including the number of keywords, content word count, and the condition of your current website (among others). In Canada, average monthly rates can range from $2500 to $5000. The price in other countries (e.g. Australia and the UK) may be substantially above that margin, while others (e.g. India and the Philippines) may be less. Communication: Determine how the team communicates. Are they available when you need them? How quickly do they respond to correspondence or requests to fix issues? How often do they present their reports or updates? Branding: Ascertain the agency’s familiarity or experience with your industry. This way, your SEO efforts stay true to the brand identity of your business. You can be confident in the agency’s ability to attain your goals and communicate your vision. Otherwise, determine how much time you are willing to invest to walk them through the important aspects of your brand. Needs: Identify your goals and what your SEO needs are -- whether it’s the full package or just a small part of it (e.g. content creation or link building). Be wary of providers that: Make extravagant claims: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Be cautious of companies who claim they can get you the "number one" spot on the search results page in a short span of time. Rely on “connections": Claiming to "know people" at Google who can boost your rankings is a sign they may not be confident in their own abilities to succeed. Additionally, search engine employees have a confidentiality agreement; so this “connection” is likely to be fabricated. Over- or under-priced services: Companies offering their services at a fraction of the market price are likely either inexperienced or provide low-quality services. On the flip side, those overpricing their services may have minimal commercial awareness. Do your research and get references before signing a contract; you don’t want to entrust your website to just anyone. All manner of businesses (from small “mom and pop shops” to large-scale enterprises) can benefit from outsourcing their SEO campaign to experts in the field. True online marketing professionals will possess the necessary staff, know-how, experience, and tools needed to run your SEO campaign efficiently and successfully. Read Also: Improve Your Domain Using These SEO Tips Know Why Content Marketing Is Important For SEO

4 Benefits Of SEO For Small Businesses

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The Basics on Google Local Algorithm