Your Blueprint for Ranking in Local Searches

There are numerous ways to boost your site’s search engine ranking. Some of these methods are free, others require a financial investment; some are simple, while others are complicated. But marketing professionals agree, there are a handful of basic steps every local business should take to build the foundation for a high-ranking website. 

Check Your NAP 

Your NAP – or name-address-phone number – must be consistent throughout the internet. This means everywhere, including your own website, professional directories, Facebook and other social media, and local listings. Google only wants to share trust-worthy information with its users, thus trusted sources are ranked higher in search results. 

When your business’s name, address, or phone number are listed differently across the internet, Google may question the legitimacy of your business, which will result in lower rankings. 

Get Your GMB Listing in Order 

Your Google My Business (GMB) listing may be the single most important tool for a local business outside of a website. Your GMB listing gives relevancy and authority to your business. It allows you to share business hours, contact information, and – importantly – customer reviews. 

Maintaining your GMB listing and ensuring the information is up-to-date is vital. Google’s search algorithms will look to GMB as one of the sources to confirm your business is legitimate. 

This helps generate accurate and helpful search results for the consumer and helps your bushiness rank higher in those results. For example, when a consumer searches for Columbus digital marketing agencies, the results include the most trusted websites for marketing agencies specific to the Columbus area – not results for shady looking websites, unrelated businesses, or businesses in other locations. 

Optimize Your Site for All Devices 

These days, most internet searches originate from a mobile device.  When it comes to local search queries, this translates to about 78% of online searches resulting in an offline purchase. The simple lesson here is that your local business website must be user-friendly for all devices, not just on a standard computer screen. 

User experience is of paramount importance, of course, but it’s not the only reason your site should be optimized for mobile devices. Google’s search algorithms highly favor sites that are mobile-friendly, particularly when the search is originating from a mobile device.   

If your site is not optimized for all devices, its Google search rankings will likely suffer. 

Include a Frequently Asked Questions Page on Your Website 

An FAQ page is a simple, effective way to help your site rank in local searches. The way it works is simple: Answer questions on your FAQ page that your customers are likely ask in a Google search. 

If you’re providing a service, your FAQ page may be more focused on how your process works, how your company will interact with the client, and the timeframe for your services. On the other hand, if you’re selling a product, your FAQ’s will likely focus on product support, your returns process, and  how shipping or item pick-up is handled. 

Answering consumers’ commonly-asked questions on your website helps establish your business as an authority in your field. At the same time, your FAQ page will help your site rank higher in relevant question-type Google searches. 

Build the Foundation for High Rankings 

Ranking in local searches is not an overnight endeavor.  Following these guidelines will create a strong foundation for increasing your ranking, but don’t expect to be at the top of Google’s page one in a day or two. 



Monitor your rankings alongside your marketing efforts, make adjustments when needed, and most importantly – be patient.