How to Compete More Effectively in Local Search

If you've ever searched for your business and noticed a competitor appearing above you, it's natural to wonder why. 

We’ve helped numerous Ann Arbor businesses with this issue, and more often than not, it's the product of inconsistent online marketing efforts. Staying consistent helps search engines recognize a business as active, trustworthy, and relevant. 

Not sure where to start? Our 5-point checklist has you covered! 

1. Keep Your Google Business Profile Current

An active Google Business Profile with updated hours, recent photos, and regular posts tells search engines your business is engaged and relevant. A neglected profile can produce the opposite effect. 

2. Collect and Respond to Reviews

Businesses that ask satisfied customers for reviews and take the time to respond build trust with both potential customers and search engines. Recent, authentic reviews are an important part of maintaining strong local visibility.

3. Publish Helpful Content

Search engines reward businesses that answer real-life questions! This can be done through service pages, blog articles, FAQs, and educational content, which give your website more opportunities to appear in local search results.

4. Stay Consistent Across the Web

Your business name, address, and phone number should match everywhere they appear online. Consistency across your website and social media profiles reinforces trust from search engines. 

5. Monitor Your Online Presence

Regularly reviewing your Google Business Profile, website, reviews, and search performance helps you identify opportunities for improvement and stay competitive. 

Where Should You Start? 

Ask yourself:

• Is our Google Business Profile complete and up to date? 
• Are we consistently asking customers for reviews? 
• Does our website answer questions that a customer would search for? 
• Is our business information accurate everywhere it appears online? 
• Are we regularly evaluating our online presence and looking for ways to improve? 

Consistency Creates Visibility

You don’t need the biggest budget or longest-standing business to achieve the highest rankings. 

Businesses that consistently invest in their online presence and provide search engines with a wealth of information often rank higher than those that have 20+ years in the game. 

If you're ready to improve your Online Marketing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, our team can help you evaluate your current online presence, identify growth opportunities, and build a strategy that improves your local visibility.

Learn more in our latest article, or contact us today for a free website evaluation.