3 Google Map SEO Tips for Local Entrepreneurs

Google Maps SEO is now an integral component to any local business or entrepreneur embracing search engine marketing. In essence, having a listing atop Google's local search results is a powerful way to drive in-market traffic. As a result, Google Maps SEO provides valuable returns for all types of businesses operating on the local level.

Among the most popular references to Google Maps SEO is associated with the ever-present local 3 pack listings. Most often displayed just below the pay per click ads and above the organic search listings, the local 3 pack is the most prominent set of search results that are triggered for any keyword phrase with geographic relevance.

While the Google 3 pack is perhaps the most powerful traffic-driver from an SEO perspective, there is another aspect of Google Maps SEO that businesses often overlooked. This the ranked Google Maps search results which are displayed directly in the Google Maps search interface.

The ranked Google Maps search results, which are based on slightly unique (but many overlapping) variables compared to the local 3 pack listings, make up the other side to local Google Maps SEO. Together, the 3 pack and Google Maps search results provide local businesses a great opportunity to optimize search visibility and increase the amount of traffic coming to their site.

In an effort to enable your business to rank higher in both the ranked Google Maps search results and local 3 pack listings, below we share three Google Maps SEO tips that have been proven effective in many different campaigns.

1. Claim, Optimize, & Verify Google My Business Listing

One of the most influential ranking factors to both the ranked Google Maps search results and local 3 pack listings is a company's Google My Business (GMB) page. Formerly Google Places and Google+ Local pages, GMB pages are the next most important web asset for a business's SEO next to its website.

Make sure to verify your business's GMB page via phone verification or postcard submission.

Take the time to not only claim your business's GMB page, but optimize and verify the listing. This includes fully populating the page to 100% completion, uploading optimized images and videos, tagging the listing with most relevant business categories, and linking to/from your website to/from the GMB page. Good copy also goes a long way, so investing in a professional SEO copywriter is often worth it.

2. Audit Your Business's Citations

Citations (or mentions of the business name, address, and phone number) on websites like Yelp, Manta, Facebook, Yellowpages, LinkedIn, etc. are the mechanism Google uses to validate credible businesses that are worthy of ranking in the local 3 pack listings. Similar to inbound links or backlinks, the more (accurate) citations a business has, the greater potential it has for Google Maps SEO.

Volume and accuracy of citations are the pivotal variables. Any misalignment in a citation (such as a missing suite or wrong phone number) can hinder SEO. For this reason, it's important to audit your business's citations throughout the web and ensure they are 100% accurate and consiste. A couple great tools to help you do this are Yext and Whitespark.

3. Cultivate Domain Authority

As mentioned in the previous Google Maps SEO tip, backlinks are an important variable to organic search rankings and defining a website's domain authority. Earning backlinks from trusted and authoritative sources will dramatically help to increase domain authority.

But if domain authority and backlinks are focused on organic SEO, how do they influence Google Maps SEO? There's a strong relationship between organic search performance and local search rankings. In short, businesses that have strong domain authority and rank well in organic search have a higher likelihood of ranking better in the Google local listings.

While this is not 100% correlated, this relationship establishes an enough evidence to make it worthwhile to earn more quality backlinks to your site. While auditing your citations, you can build quick and easy backlinks from local listings and directories. This, however, will only get you so far.

To cultivate strong domain authority that improves both organic and Google Maps SEO, you'll need to invest time (and perhaps money) in link acquisition. Investing in a local chamber of commerce membership (and getting a link and citation from the chamber site;) blogging on other websites; creating social media profiles; and simply requesting inclusion on related "links and resources" pages on other sites associated with your business and industry; these are all just a few ways to acquire links and cultivate domain authority.

While these three Google Maps SEO and marketing tips are just the tip of the iceberg, they are some of the most momentous strategies to help your business move the needle in the search results. Post contributed by Tyler Tafelsky.

Creating a Cohesive Website Optimization for Your Company

The true prupose behind website optimization extends far beyond the traditional practices of search engine optimization (SEO). That is, there's much more to website optimization than keyword optimizing a web pages and building links, all in an effort to attain greater search engine exposure.

Although your company's website optimization strategy should indeed focus on SEO, it should also equally include the practice of Conversion Rate Optimization, (or "CRO").

CRO is the art and science of crafting and fine-tuning your website for better performance after visitors land your website. The primary goal here to maximize the value of your traffic to generate the greatest conversions and thus leads/customers to your company.

So what are the elements that your company's website optimization strategy include? Below is a list of some of the components you'll want to consider when developing a true website optimization strategy for your company.

• Website Usability: how well users interact with your website's functionality
• User Interface: the design, structure, navigation, and overall layout of your website
• Website Load Speed: the quickness in which pages load on your website
• Crawlability: the efficiency in which your website is crawled and indexed (lack or presence of HTML errors, Flash media, etc.)
• Keyword Relevancy: how well keywords are used throughout your website for SEO purposes
• Page Copy: how fluid and strong the readable text is on your web pages
• Media: use of videos and images to help establish value and meaning on your website
• Calls-to-Action: graphics, buttons, and text that motivate users to take action

These are just a few elements that your company's website optimization strategy should include. To learn more about how to develop a cohesive website optimization campaign for your company, visit WebPresenceGroup.net, a leading website optimization company that provides free audits for qualified companies.

Yogi Words of Wisdom That Apply to Entrepreneurship

Every week I look forward to Yoga class. My instructors will share some interesting words of wisdom that I often think about long after the class is over. Some of their words I can apply to business and entrepreneurship.

Below I share with you a few words of wisdom from my Yoga instructors, and how they translate to aspects of starting and operating a successful business.

"You might not get there today, but perhaps you will tomorrow, or next week, or next month." - Be patient with the growth of your business. Progress will come with diligence and mindful, righteous effort.

"Respect your limits" - When business is on the up-swing and the leads come pouring in, don't bite off more than you can chew. This is important for consultants and service providers. Know your limits and avoid taking on too much too soon.

"It's all mental" - Everything in this world is truly is a mental schema. In an entrepreneurial context, your brand is the mental image that defines your business. You can shape it however you want. View your brand from the viewpoint of your audience, and try to position your business from a outside perspective.

"It's not what it looks like, it's what it feels like" - Don't obsess about aesthetics, such as your web design's color scheme or your company's logo. It's the quality of your work that's most meaningful. It's all about what you can do and what you can prove, not looks.

"Be mindful" - Whether toward your employees, your vendors, or your clients/customers, it's important to be mindful of all parties that surround your business. Exercise your sense of empathy and put yourself in others' shoes.

This article was contributed by Yogi and Internet marketing expert Tyler Tafelsky. To learn more about Tyler, connect with him on Twitter or Google+.