How to Show Up First on Google Search

Smart local business owners like you know how important it is to maintain a steady stream of new clients. New clients mean new revenue which is the key to business growth. In order to get those new clients, you need the people in your local market to know you exist. In today’s digital world, “existing” means showing up in Google search results. So…

How do you show up in Google search before your competition?

Whether you run a Law Firm, Home Improvement Business or MedSpa, you want to own your local market on Google. Showing up first in Google results requires a combination of Optimizing your Online Presence, using Local SEO Strategies, and maintaining an Active Digital Footprint.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving that goal:

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Claim and Verify Your Profile: If you haven’t already, claim your Google Business Profile and verify it.
Complete All Sections: Fill out all details, including your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website URL, hours of operation, and categories.
Use Keywords: Include relevant local keywords in your business description and posts.
Add Photos and Videos: High-quality images of your products, services, and location make your listing more engaging.
Encourage Reviews: Request reviews from happy customers and respond to them professionally—both positive and negative.

2. Focus on Local SEO

Use Local Keywords: Target keywords like “best plumber in [city]” or “family law near me” in your website content, meta descriptions, and headings.
Create Location-Specific Pages: If you serve multiple areas, create unique pages for each, highlighting the services offered in that location.
NAP Consistency: Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone Number are consistent across your website, social media, and online directories.
Optimize for Mobile: A mobile-friendly website improves user experience and search rankings.

3. Build Citations and Backlinks

List Your Business in Directories: Add your business to local directories like Yelp, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, and niche-specific directories.
Partner with Local Websites: Collaborate with local blogs, newspapers, or organizations for backlinks.
Get Featured Locally: Sponsor local events or partner with influencers to earn mentions and links.

4. Publish Localized Content

Blog About Local Topics: Write posts about local events, news, or problems your business solves for the community.
Answer Common Questions: Use FAQ sections or blog posts to address common queries from your audience.
Use Structured Data Markup: Add schema markup to your website to help Google understand your content and show rich snippets in search results.

5. Leverage Social Media

Stay Active Locally: Post content relevant to your community and engage with followers in your area.
Use Location Tags: When posting, tag your location to increase visibility in local searches.
Run Local Ads: Use geotargeting in Facebook or Instagram ads to reach nearby customers.

6. Encourage Reviews and Testimonials

Ask for Reviews: Politely request reviews from satisfied customers on Google and other platforms.
Respond to Reviews: Engage with all reviews—thank positive reviewers and address concerns raised in negative ones.
Showcase Reviews: Highlight positive reviews on your website and social media profiles.

7. Run Local Google Ads

Use Local Service Ads (LSAs): These ads are specifically designed for local businesses and can appear at the top of Google results.
Geotarget Your Ads: Focus on areas where your customers are located.
Highlight Offers: Promote special discounts or deals in your ad copy.

8. Monitor and Improve

Track Your Performance: Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your website’s traffic and performance.
Adjust Based on Insights: Focus on strategies driving the most local traffic and engagement.
Stay Updated: SEO trends and algorithms change often, so keep learning and adapting.

Consistency is Key

The more consistent and optimized your business appears online, the higher the chances you’ll rank first in local search results. By focusing on local SEO and engaging with your community, you’ll build authority and increase visibility over time.

At Lead Science, we know your plate may already be full taking care of existing clients. It can be difficult to find the time to master local SEO when your priority is keeping the business moving forward.