By Jose G.
Digital Marketing Guide
Magnified Media
The Google 3-Pack was introduced in August 2015 when the original Google 7-Pack was cut down to three. Google’s decision to show fewer listings appears to be motivated by its focus on mobile-friendly services. What is the Google 3-Pack? The Google 3-Pack refers to the 3 local businesses that appear just under the map after searching for a service on Google. Although the Google 3-Pack is location-dependent, being one of the three businesses to appear in the Google 3-Pack is very competitive and requires a great web presence.
1. Create or Claim Your Google My Business Account
Creating a Google My Business account should be as important as creating a website for your business. Google My Business allows users to see your business’ detailed information on the right side of their search results on desktop, and the first result on mobile.
This Google service also lets you gather and feature customer reviews. They appear on the local pack and help users get a quick idea about the quality and reputation of your business. The higher the rating that customers give your store, the higher the chance that users will convert into clients.
Even if you don’t have a website yet, Google My Business can automatically generate a website for your business for free using the information you provided. This allows you to begin ranking quickly even without having a full-featured website.
2. Be Consistent
As a business owner, you want to appear wherever your customers are Yelp, Google, Nextdoor, LinkedIn, etc. In doing so, you are creating citations for your business. This is fantastic because it’s improving your online presence; just keep in mind while you create your accounts that all the contact information MUST be the same. This means that if you choose to abbreviate your state, then it must remain abbreviated everywhere.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but making sure your NAP (name, address, phone number) is consistent across all of these properties, including your website, is very important. Doing so will improve your citations which will in return improve your SEO.
3. Cultivate Locally Relevant Links
Links are still largely the currency of the web; the network of sites that link to yours tells Google how relevant you are in your local community and helps you rank on local queries. You don’t need to chase big media mentions or spend a ton on PR to see success in local link-building.
Instead, look for opportunities to connect with other stores, service clubs, chambers of commerce, sports teams, non-profits, and non-competitive entities in your area through co-promotion, sponsorships, etc.
Link building within local SEO campaigns is incredibly important. Compared to standard SEO campaigns, local SEO relies much more on links from other local websites that are relevant to your business. Check where your top local competitors are getting their backlinks from, and use their ideas for your link-building.
Need An Online Marketing Agency You Can Trust?
Magnified Media is an online marketing agency specializing in digital marketing for businesses and small companies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Based in Walnut Creek, California, we are their trusted outsourced marketing solution, focused on doing three things: getting them more online reviews, getting their website seen, and creating content for their social media platforms. Focusing on these key areas for our clients means they can run their business without worrying about when or where the next customer is coming. We help build their business through reputation. Interested in seeing what we can do for your business? Schedule your free Online Presence Audit now.
(Here is a map of our location.)
Sources
- Monitor Backlinks – How to start ranking in Google 3-Pack ASAP
- Rio SEO – How to Use Organic SEO to Rank in Google’s Local 3-Pack
- Reach Local – 3 Steps to the Top of Google’s 3-Pack
- Link-Assistant – Big Update in Google’s local search results
