Most local business owners think Google just... knows they're good at what they do. Like Google is some all-knowing being that somehow figures out you're the best plumber in town and puts you at the top.
Hi,
It's Albert.
Was on a call with a client last week. He's been running his business for over 7 years. Great reputation. Everyone in his area knows him. Customers love him.
But when you Google what he does + his city? He's page two, and that's basically invisible. Meanwhile some guy who started two years ago is sitting right there at the top.
And he asked me: "How is that possible? I've been here way longer. I'm better at what I do."
I get it, and it feels unfair. But here's the thing.
I hate to break it to you but Google has no idea how good you are. Zerooooooo clue.
Google doesn't drive around town asking people who the best contractor or dentist or landscaper is. It doesn't read Yelp reviews over a cup of coffee and form an opinion.
Google is basically a robot trying to figure out who to recommend when someone searches for what you do. The way it figures that out? Clues. Signals. Little bits of information scattered across the internet.
The more clues you give it, the more confident it gets about recommending you.
The fewer clues? Well... it recommends someone else. Someone who gave it more to work with.
That's what local SEO is. Giving Google the right clues so it picks you.
When someone types "roofer near me" or "best pizza in [your city]" Google looks at a few things to decide who shows up first.
1. Your Google Business Profile. This is free. And most business owners either don't have one or set it up once in 2019 and never touched it again.
Google wants to see that your profile is filled out completely. Photos, hours, services, description. All of it. And it wants to see that you're active. Posting updates. Responding to reviews. Showing signs of life.
2. Then it looks at your website. Google looks at your site to understand EXACTLY what you do and where you do it. If your website doesn't mention your city or your service area? Google doesn't know where to put you.
3. Reviews. This one is huge. Google looks at how many reviews you are getting consistently. If your competitor gets more reviews weekly than you, Google is going to give them more brownie points and priorize their business over yours. Not because they're better than you. But because Google has more proof that they exist and that people use them.
So ask your happy customers for a review. Make it easy for them. Send them a link. Most people are happy to do it. They just don't think about it unless you ask.
There are some other details that Google checks, but if you can get these right, you are beating most of the competition, because almost nooooobody has these things done right.
That's it. That's the whole game.
Just give Google the clues that 90% of your competition is too lazy or too busy to do.
Talk soon,
Albert
P.S. If you want my team and I to take a look at how you're showing up on Google right now and where the gaps are, we'll do it for free, no strings attached. Fill out the form at https://topautomator.com/free-analysis and we'll send you a full breakdown.
