In the ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, businesses continually search for strategies to enhance their online visibility and engage their target audience. Google Paid Ads and Local SEO are two dominant forces in this arena, both aiming to drive traffic and boost conversions but operating with distinct methodologies and unique advantages and drawbacks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the disparities between Google Paid Ads (PPC) and Local SEO, helping businesses discern the strategy that best aligns with their needs, objectives and budget.
Google Paid Ads provide businesses with immediate visibility through paid placements at the top of search engine results, offering a swift and effective way to capture attention. As soon as your paid campaign is active, you’re in the market and able to generate leads. However, this rapid exposure comes with a caveat – by nature it demands a continuous and significant financial commitment. The moment you turn your ads off, *poof* lead generation dies. However, this doesn’t mean paid ads shouldn’t be part of your marketing strategy.
On the other hand, Local SEO takes a more organic approach, gradually optimizing a business’s online presence to resonate with local audiences over time. Think of local SEO as an investment vehicle. You invest smaller amounts of money over a period of time with the goal of generating a sustanable return on your investment. Though slower, this strategy yields sustained local relevance and proves to be compelling for businesses with a “big picture” vision and a focus. Additionally, local SEO allows businesses reap better profitability and sustainability for the long-term.
In the pursuit of online supremacy, businesses face the decision between the swift impact of Google Paid Ads and the gradual, organic growth fostered by Local SEO. Or do they? This is what we’ll explore in this guide: When is it best to run Google Ads, when is local SEO the better choice, and when should a small business utilize both.
What do you need, man?
Before we can explore what strategies and course of action makes the most sense for your business, we have to uncover and understand:
What are your business needs?
What is your marketing budget?
What is your timeframe for results?
What are your revenue & growth goals?
Take a minute to think about those 4 questions, then continue reading.
We take a deep-dive into the Pros & Cons of Google Ads, as well as the 4 primary types of campaigns Google offers, and what business need each campaign type is suitable for.
Here we take a closer looks at the Pros & Cons of Local SEO. We also help you set realistic expectations in regard to the investment of your time and money, as well as when you should expect results.
Now that you have a better understanding of the options, we provide professional insight and recommendations to help you choose a path that best aligns with your business needs, goals, timeline and budget.
A Comprehensive Guide to answer that exact question.
Choosing between Google Ads, Local SEO, or a blend of both for a small business owner depends on factors such as goals, budget, timeframe and target audience. An optimal strategy might involve a balanced combination, leveraging the strengths of both approaches to create a comprehensive and effective online marketing plan. The goal of this guide is to help you determine what is best for your unique business needs, then provide you resources to help you down whichever path you choose.
Recognizing the importance of this decision, this guide offers a wealth of insight that will hopefully help answer your questions and get you on the right path to reaching your goals. If you’d prefer the benefits of a one-on-one consultation, and professional insights to help you determine your underlying needs and best course of action, please feel free to meet with an Account Manager.
Google Ads, a powerful online advertising platform, enables businesses to promote their products or services across the Google network. It operates on a either a pay-per-click (PPC), pay-per-impression (PPM) or pay-per-lead (PPL) model depending on the type of campaign being ran. Google Ads offers various ad types, each catering to specific marketing objectives.
Primary Types of Google Ads
Google Search Ads (PPC)
Displayed on Google’s search engine results page, these ads aim to capture users actively searching for specific keywords related to the advertiser’s offerings. These are considered “bottom-of-funnel” users in the decision making process as they’re actively looking to find a solution for a need.
Google Display Ads (PPM)
These visually engaging ads appear on websites within the Google Display Network, aiming to create brand awareness and attract potential customers through images and compelling visuals. These are great for new businesses looking to get their name known in their community but this campaign type is not meant for lead generation.
Performance Max Ads (PPC)
This is a relatively new campaign type in Google (launched November 2021) and put to use the power of Google’s own AI. A mostly automated campaign type that optimizes across multiple Google ad inventory, including Search, Display, and YouTube, to maximize performance and reach diverse audiences. This does still require the campaign manager (you or your marketing company) to make periodic adjustments to optimize the campaign.
Local Service Ads (PPL)
This is about as “hands-free” or a Google campaign you can get, as there’s no elements to really optimize. Local Service Ads (also known as “LSA” or “Google Guaranteed”) are tailored for service-oriented businesses. These ads showcase local service providers at the top of search results, with a “Google Guaranteed” badge emphasizing credibility and generating leads. A huge benefit worth noting in this campaign type is it’s the only campaign type Google currently offers that is billed on a cost-per-lead basis!
Let’s bust a myth!
Myth: Google Ads are too complicated for a business owner to manage themselves – you must hire a marketing company or else you’ll lose money!
Reality: We do have to agree with this statement IF you are running a higher budget Google Search campaign. ($1,000 per month in Ad Spend at minimum) This campaign type is complicated (major understatement), and if you have a significant amount of Ad Spend, small errors can cost you big dollars. You’re better off letting the Professionals handle it.
However, most marketing companies charge upwards of $500 per month in management fees just to manage one Google Search campaign. If you’re working with a tight monthly marketing budget, say $1,000 per month total, it doesn’t make sense to spend over half of that budget in management fees, leaving less than half to go to actual Ad Spend.
In addition, Google has come a long way in the past decade. There are tons of How-To videos on YouTube that walk you step-by-step through setting up and optimizing Google Ads campaigns. Plus, Google’s newer Performance Max and Local Service Ads campaigns are predominantly AI driven and require little to no optimization. (If our clients want to run Google Local Service Ads, we actually set up and manage their campaign for them. For Free!) That’s how easy they are.
Google Ads provide instant visibility, ensuring that businesses can reach their target audience right when they are actively searching for relevant products or services.
Advertisers can tailor their campaigns to specific demographics, locations, and user behaviors, ensuring that their ads are shown to a highly relevant audience.
The platform provides detailed analytics, allowing advertisers to track key metrics such as clicks, impressions, and conversions, facilitating data-driven decision-making.
With various ad formats available, including text, images, and videos, businesses can experiment with different creatives to find the most effective messaging for their audience.
In competitive local searches, bidding for top keywords can become expensive, causing the leads generated to be less profitable or potentially limiting the visibility of the smaller business.
The visibility provided by Google Ads is contingent on the budget. Once the budget is exhausted, the ads disappear from the search results, making it challenging to maintain a continuous presence.
The complexity of the Google Ads platform may pose a challenge for beginners, requiring time and effort to understand and optimize campaigns effectively.
Advertisers may face the risk of click fraud, where competitors or malicious entities repeatedly click on ads to deplete budgets without generating legitimate leads.
The rise of ad blockers can impact the reach of Google Ads, as users actively filter out advertising content, limiting the effectiveness of certain campaigns.
Statistically, 86% of local searchers choose a business from the organic sections of Google (non-paid), while 14% will choose a business through Google Ads. The process used to improve your ranking and prominence in the non-paid sections of Google is known as Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
2. Understanding Local SEO
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a digital marketing strategy focused on enhancing a business’s online visibility for location-based searches. It aims to optimize a website’s presence to attract local customers and improve rankings in local search engine results. Local SEO involves several key factors to ensure businesses are visible to potential customers in their geographical area.
Key Consideration in Local SEO
Authority Building
Establishing the business as a reputable and authoritative source in its local industry or niche. This involves obtaining quality backlinks from local websites and citation directories to build a robust online presence. One of the primary factors Google looks at is if your information is accurate throughout the internet and your message is consistent.
Reputation Management
Managing and enhancing online reviews and ratings to build trust with potential customers. Positive reviews contribute to a business’s reputation and influence local search rankings. a-lot! In fact: 10% of Google’s local search algorithm is attributed to variables related to online reputation. Not just your number of reviews and star rating in Google itself, but across dozens of other review sites throughout the internet. How you respond to reviews throughout the web also plays a critical role in local SEO.
Conversion Optimization
Did you know Google measures your website’s conversion rate and uses that as a factor when determining how to rank you amongst your peers? Improving the user experience on the website to encourage visitors to take desired actions, such as scheduling an appointment, filling out a contact form, or calling your business will ultimately help improve your local ranking in Google. Google wants to show users quality content that is a good fit for what the user is looking for.
Quality Content
Creating locally relevant, high-quality content that addresses the needs and interests of the local audience. This includes optimizing website content, blog posts, and other materials for local keywords that matches the user’s search intent. Search intent is simply: “Why are you doing a search in Google?” Are they looking to buy something? Looking for information? Looking to compare services? Understanding your target audience’s search intent and then creating quality content to deliver what they’re looking for is crutial to local ranking in Google.
Let’s bust a myth!
Myth: Local SEO is irrelevant for businesses without a physical storefront.
Reality: Even if you don’t have a physical location that customers can come into, your customers are still searching for you locally. Optimizing for specific locations can help attract customers interested in products or services within those areas. In fact, 85% of business citation directories allow you to mask (hide) your physical address so it’s not visible to the public. This allows you to still build crucial local authority in Google, without risking having your home address plastered all over the internet for everyone to see!
Local SEO strategically targets and engages local customers, establishing an exceptionally effective strategy for businesses that are keen on enhancing their visibility within their immediate community.
Local SEO often requires a lower financial investment compared to paid advertising, making it accessible for small and local businesses with limited budgets.
Positive online reviews and a strong local online presence contribute to building trust and credibility, influencing potential customers to choose a local business.
While it may take time to see the full effects, the results of Local SEO tend to be more sustainable in the long run, providing ongoing visibility to the local audience.
Local SEO fosters community engagement by aligning the business with local events, trends, and interests, creating a sense of connection with the community.
Achieving significant results with Local SEO can take time, as building authority, managing reputation, and optimizing content require consistent effort over an extended period.
In highly competitive markets, outranking competitors in local search results may be challenging, requiring a more sophisticated and sustained strategy.
of all searches on Google have local intent. The top 3 spaces in Google Business are referred to as the “Local Pack”, which is displayed in 93% of local search results! This underscores just how important ranking in the top 3 in Google Business really is!
0
%
of all local searches on Google result in the customer choosing 1 of the first 3 businesses listed in the Google Business “Local Pack”. For local service-based businesses, being listed in the top 3 is a lead generation game-changer!
3. Choosing the Right Strategy
Choosing the optimal digital marketing strategy depends on the unique needs of a business. Google Paid Ads are well-suited for enterprises seeking immediate results and possessing the financial capacity for ongoing paid promotions. Businesses that require quick visibility and have a budget for advertising can benefit from the agility of Google Paid Ads.
On the other hand, Local SEO proves to be an ideal choice for those adopting a long-term perspective, focusing on cultivating organic visibility within their local area. Businesses heavily reliant on local clientele find Local SEO crucial for establishing a sustained local presence. Think of Local SEO not so much as a “Marketing Strategy” but more as an “Investment Vehicle” for your business. Like a 401K – you put in smaller amounts of funds each month knowing that the amortization over time will result in long-term financial stability and a solid return on your investment.
Remember: It doesn’t have to be an “either-or” choice. You can do both. Many of our client’s utilize our Elevate or Accelerate Solutions for local SEO, while running a small Performance Max or Google LSA campaign. This allows them to build long-term stability and organic lead generation through our SEO strategy, while meeting their short-term revenue needs through the paid ads campaigns.
In the decision-making process, key factors should be considered:
Business Objectives: Define short-term and long-term goals.
Financial Resources: Assess the budget for immediate or sustained marketing efforts.
Target Audience: Distinguish whether the audience is local, global, or a mix.
Competitive Environment: Determine the level of competition in the industry.
Time Horizon: Consider whether immediate results are needed or the focus is on long-term growth.
Nature of Services: Evaluate how large of a geographic area your services are suitable for.
Evaluate Current Ranking: Use our tool to measure how well you rank in local searches and where your areas for improvement are.
Careful consideration of these factors ensures a well-informed decision between Google Paid Ads, Local SEO, or a combination of the two.
At our website, you’ll find a wealth of solutionsdesigned to address the challenges of modern digital marketing. From conversion rate optimization and comprehensive SEO services to content creation, authority building and reputation management, we offer a suite of tools to help you navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. We understand the demands placed on small businesses in today’s competitive market, and our goal is to lighten that load for you. Our team is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that align with your unique needs and goals.
Feel free to explore our website to gain a deeper understanding of the services we offer and how our expertise can be a valuable asset to your business. Whether you’re looking to revamp your online presence, explore new marketing avenues, or simply seeking guidance on the next steps, we’re here to assist you. Don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting with an Account Manager – let’s work together to ensure your business thrives on Google and in your local market!
Contact Information:
Our Location 1722 Choctaw Street, Dothan, AL 36303
Creating new landing pages each month offers several benefits for businesses seeking to enhance their online presence and improve rankings in specific target areas. By focusing on either a set of target keywords or geographical regions, we help businesses effectively target their audience and improve their visibility in key areas.
Targeted SEO: By focusing on specific sets of target keywords or geographical regions, we optimize landing pages to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant search queries.
Enhanced Relevance: Tailoring landing pages to target specific keywords or geographical regions increases relevance to users’ search intent, resulting in higher click-through rates and improved user engagement.
Expanded Reach: Creating new landing pages each month allows businesses to continuously expand their online footprint, reaching new audiences and capturing additional organic traffic.
Improved Conversion Rates: Highly targeted landing pages are more likely to resonate with visitors, leading to improved conversion rates and ultimately driving more leads and sales.
In summary, having us create new landing pages each month focused on specific target keywords or geographical regions is a proactive strategy that can significantly improve your online visibility, relevance, lead generation, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Marketing Consultation
Engaging in monthly Marketing Consultations with our clients over Zoom provides a structured and collaborative approach to optimizing marketing strategies. During these sessions, we conduct a thorough review of the previous month’s performance and work together to develop the strategies and goals for the upcoming month.
Performance Review: Clients receive a detailed analysis of their marketing performance, including key metrics and areas for improvement.
Strategy Development: Collaboratively create tailored strategies and goals to align with business objectives and market conditions.
Goal Setting: Establish clear and achievable objectives to drive progress and accountability.
Continuous Improvement: Utilize feedback loops to refine strategies and adapt to changing market dynamics.
In summary, our monthly Zoom Marketing Consultations offer clients a proactive and results-driven approach to maximizing their marketing efforts. By providing insights, strategy development, goal setting, and continuous improvement, we ensure that our clients stay on track to achieve their business goals.
Competitive Analysis Reports
Leads Evolved offers comprehensive Competitive Analysis Reports, providing businesses with invaluable insights into their ranking performance compared to top competitors in their territory. With these reports, businesses gain a deep understanding of their competitive landscape, enabling informed decision-making and strategic adjustments to outperform rivals.
Key benefits include:
Detailed Insights: Gain a thorough understanding of ranking performance for 100 keywords, allowing businesses to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Competitive Benchmarking: Compare rankings with top competitors to assess relative positioning and identify areas where competitors may be outperforming or underperforming.
Strategic Optimization: Armed with insights from Competitive Analysis Reports, businesses can refine their strategies to capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses, ultimately enhancing their competitive edge.
Informed Decision-Making: Make data-driven decisions based on comprehensive analysis, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maximize ROI and drive business growth.
In summary, Leads Evolved empowers businesses with actionable insights and strategic guidance derived from full Competitive Analysis Reports, enabling them to thrive in competitive markets and achieve their goals.
Local Geographic Ranking Grid
Local Geographic Search Grid is a powerful tool for local SEO, offering tailored analysis and valuable insights into ranking performance. Businesses benefit from customized grids that reveal the geographic distribution of their target audience. Moreover, the platform uncovers ranking blind spots and provides competitive benchmarking against top competitors. This allows businesses to refine strategies and secure a prominent position in search results. Additionally, Local Geographic Search Grid simplifies reporting and streamlines spam detection, enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Tailored Analysis: Customized grids based on actual search locations provide precise insights into the target audience’s geographic distribution.
Identify Blind Spots: Uncover ranking blind spots to pinpoint areas for improvement and optimize strategies accordingly.
Competitive Benchmarking: Benchmark against top competitors to refine strategies and secure a prominent position in search results.
Simplified Reporting and Spam Detection: Intuitive reporting features simplify progress monitoring and client engagement. The platform streamlines spam detection for swift corrective action.
Dispute Negative Reviews
We understand the frustration a business owner experiences when you get a negative Google Review. After all, you built your business, poured your soul into it, so naturally you probably take it personally.
There’s good news and bad news:
First the good news: If a review is deemed in violation of Google’s User Generated Content Policy it can be removed.
More good news: Google’s User Generated Content Policy is pretty broad, providing ample opportunity for disputes.
Even more: You can dispute a review as many times as you want, there’s no limit.
Now the bad news: Just because it’s Negative, doesn’t mean it can be removed.
When a review is disputed, it goes to a Google representative and they have the God-like power to approve or deny the dispute. However, if they deny the dispute request, you can dispute it again with a new rep… and again… and again.
(record is 28 attempts before the 28th rep removed the review) 😉
Client Engagement Tools
We have a multitude of tools available to you that will enhance your website, and improve your customer conversion rates. You can pick-n-choose the tools that are best for your website and customer base, with no additional costs.
Here are a few examples of available tools:
Exit-Intent Pop-ups: Capture potential lost conversions by displaying targeted offers or your appointment-setting form when visitors are about to leave your site.
Live Chat: Provide real-time assistance to answer customer questions and lead them to take the action your business needs.
Social Proof: Showcase social media endorsements, user testimonials, and positive reviews to build credibility.
Referral Generation: Turn your existing customers into brand ambassadors with referral marketing tools.
Analytical Tools User behavior analytics tools with features such as heatmaps and surveys.
Conversion Optimization
We optimize your online presence and website for customer conversion, as this is essential for turning visitors into customers. We take a holistic approach to analyzing every detail of your customer’s journey – from their initial search to connecting with you.
Here are just some of our Key Strategies:
Regularly analyze user behavior with tools like Google Analytics for continuous improvement.
Review website navigation for ease-of-use and optimize for responsiveness.
Create engaging service descriptions and leverage testimonials.
Make sure your website is effectively communicating your unique selling points prominently to capture visitor attention.
Provide strong Call-to-Actions
There is always room for improvement, we never say “that’s good enough”. Each month we continue to looks for ways to further increase your conversion rate and provide you a better return on your investment.
Dedicated Account Manager
Our Dedicated Account Managers are hands-on experts that will provide the white glove service and support you need, whenever you need it.
Here are just a few of the key benefits your Account Manager will provide:
Personalized Strategy: Tailored digital marketing strategies crafted by a dedicated account manager to align with your business goals.
Continuous Optimization: Regular monitoring and adjustment of campaigns for optimal performance and cost-efficiency.
Expert Guidance: Access to expert advice and insights from a seasoned professional to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.
Proactive Problem Solving: Quick identification and resolution of issues, ensuring campaigns run smoothly and effectively.
Time Efficiency: Free up your time to focus on core business activities while the account manager handles the intricacies of digital marketing.
No more calling into your marketing company and talking to someone new every time, or waiting days for a response. Your Account Manager is available to you via text, phone, zoom meetings and email, and we pride ourselves on being there when you need us. (Our typical response time is less than 15 minutes during business hours)
Google Local Service Ads
Control your advertising budget and focus on tangible results for your business with Local Services Ads. Unlike Google PPC, you ONLY pay when a customer contacts you!
By utilizing Local Services Ads, you can establish a direct connection with potential customers who actively search for your services on Google. This not only enhances your visibility among local customers but also facilitates direct interactions with them.
Key highlights of Local Service Ads include:
Budget Control: Only pay when a customer contacts you through the ad, allowing you to maintain control over your advertising budget.
Real Results Focus: Emphasizing the importance of tangible outcomes, Local Services Ads enable you to concentrate on actual leads and business results.
Booking Efficiency: Customers finding you on Google can directly contact you, streamlining the process of booking local jobs and filling up your calendar.
Google Guarantee: This is a badge that goes on your Ad that builds consumer confidence in your company.
Local Impact: Be present when local customers need your services the most, creating a direct and impactful connection with your community.
But, there is a catch: Google Local Service Ads are only available to certain industries (approximately 70 of them), and you are required to go through their Business Verification process to become Google Guaranteed. The good news: You don’t have to go at it alone. We make the process streamlined an easy for you.
Spoiler Alert: If we’ve reached out to you via phone or email, Google Local Service Ads are available for your industry!
Tracking Phone Number
Gain clarity and optimize your marketing strategy with Call Tracking. This data-driven solution eliminates guesswork, allowing you to pinpoint the most effective channels, reduce costs per lead, and boost ROI. Unique phone numbers are assigned to each online and offline tactic, enabling precise tracking and Multichannel Lead Attribution for a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
Integration with Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Business converts phone calls into measurable conversions, empowering strategic decision-making. The real-time insights provided by the dynamic dashboard ensure a focus on good leads, with drill-down capabilities into attribution and source data for a thorough understanding of Local Organic SEO & Paid Ad effectiveness.
Key Points:
Call Tracking eliminates guesswork and optimizes marketing strategy.
Dynamic Number Insertion enables precise tracking for online and offline tactics.
Integration with major platforms converts calls into measurable conversions.
Real-time insights and drill-down capabilities ensure a focus on good leads.
Integrated directly into your Analytics Dashboard.
Analytics Dashboard
We streamline accessing your analytics with a centralized dashboard that puts all of your metrics at your fingertips:
Organic Local Ranking
Website Traffic Statistics
Competitive Analysis
Google & Facebook Ads Performance
Google Business & Citations
Reputation Management
Conversion Tracking and so much more.
Even if you have other 3rd parties managing campaigns for you, we can pull the performance data into your centralized dashboard in real-time. No more having to go to multiple places to see what’s going on with your online presence. Everything you need is located in our easy-to-use dashboard that’s accessible 24/7.
Generate New Reviews
One of the biggest challenges local businesses face is generating new 5-star reviews. You build great rapport with a client, do a fantastic job, and then… crickets.
91% of consumers trust businesses with recent positive reviews.(if they trust you, they’re more likely to contact you.)
Reviews for local businesses influence up to 10% of the search ranking.
10% may not sound like a lot, but when you consider there are thousands of variables Google looks at when determining how to rank your business, reviews making up 10% of the algorithm is massive!
We make it easy to solicit new reviews from satisfied customers via E-mail, text, or a QR code that you can put on printed materials. In addition, the customer is presented with a custom landing page asking if they had a positive experience. If they answer “Yes”, they are connected with your Google Reviews page. If not, they are given the option to contact you for resolution before leaving a review. This gives you the opportunity to resolve any customer issues BEFORE they leave you a negative review.
Monthly Ranking Reports
Every month we compile an easy-to-read report that helps you keep your finger on the pulse of your online presence.
This provides you insights into:
How many people are calling from your Google Business Profile.
How many people are getting directions to your shop. (if applicable)
How many people are visiting your website from Google Business.
The number of business directories you’re current listed in.
We also provide you with a full competitive analysis of your business versus your 3 main local competitors, so you know where your areas of opportunity are.
Human Review Responses
In the modern era where everything is switching to AI, human interaction is a breath of fresh air. Using AI written auto-responses to customer reviews is a surefire way to send potential customers to your competitors.
70% of users report they are put off if a business responds to a review with a templated or recycled response.
Customer reviews & your response to them play a crucial role in Google ranking – they’re how you show Google you’re a great company and you’re an engaged business owner that provides great customer service. They also are the #1 factor potential clients look at when deciding whether to contact you.
We take great care in crafting review responses that:
Are personalized to the customer
Are 100% free of spelling & grammatical errors
Are 4 to 7 full sentences long
Showcase your sincere appreciation of your customers
Contain your primary keywords for SEO value (when appropriate)
We respond to 3, 4 or 5 star reviews within 1 business day. In the event you receive a 1 or 2 star negative review, we’ll consult you personally before replying. We are experts at responding to negative reviews and turning one customer’s bad experience into a positive for others.
On-Page Local SEO
86% of Google users choose a local business through Google Business, Maps or Organic Search. (Not Paid Ads). The “Big Guys” know this, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the “Little Guys” to be found. So how do you get the competitive edge?
In short: Local SEO. But it’s much more than that. They days of stuffing keywords into your website & META Tags to boost your ranking are long gone. We understand the complexities of optimizing a website to naturally rank higher in modern-day local search results.
We start with:
A thorough analysis of your current website & ranking.
Competitive Analysis for your Geographic area.
Identify what your potential clients are actually searching for.
Develop an action plan to address problem areas.
Then we put that plan into action. Our process closely follows the Scientific Method (Remember that from 7th grade? question, hypothesis, experiment, data, and conclusion). This allows us to make data-driven decisions that result in higher search engine ranking over time. We continue repeating this process each and every month to facilitate continued growth.
Bi-Monthly Tutorials
We provide comprehensive tutorials twice a month to help business owner’s take control of their online presence. Each tutorial focuses on one subject and then provides in-depth insights and how-to’s.
Some Examples:
Turning a Negative into a Positive – The psychology of responding to a negative review.
Remarketing – How to set up and optimize your own Facebook remarketing campaign.
5 easy steps to improving your website’s conversion rate.
Sometimes as a business owner you have to “roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty“. The purpose of these tutorials is to make sure you have all the tools you need to accomplish your goals without spending hours trying to figure out “what do I do?” and “how do I do it?“.
Weekly Google Business Posts
One of the key-factors of improving the authority (and ranking) of your Google Business Profile is showing Google that you are an active business owner and bringing quality information to market on a regular basis.
This takes time and expertise to be done right. We take that burden off your shoulders by writing unique content for your Google Business Profile each and every week.
The structure of these posts:
1,000 to 1,500 characters long.
Utilizes your primary keyword phrases for SEO Value.
Includes professionally created imagery branded with your company logo and details.
Optimized for conversions, including Value Statements & a strong Call-to-Action.
These posts can also include special events that you are hosting or participating in to help drive in-person connections. If you have promotional offers, we can feature them directly on your Google Business Profile to help get your offer in front of more potential clients.
Google Business Profile Optimization
There are dozens of areas within a Google Business Profile that can be optimized to improve visibility and conversion rates.
We make sure every aspect of your Google Business Profile is 100% complete, optimized, and tailored to your specific client base & geographic area.
Here are just a few of the areas we focus on:
Name, Address, Phone, Website and Hours are all 100% correct.
Individual services are each listed independently with proper keyword relevance.
All appropriate business categories are being utilized.
About section is keyword rich, including strong value statements and a call-to-action.
All images are optimized for load time and resolution.
All call-to-action elements are being utilized.
When someone suggests an edit on your Google Business Profile, Google sends you an email. You have 7 days to take action on that email. If you do not, then it’s up to Google’s discretion if they make the change or not. With that said, we proactively deny 3rd party changes to your Google Business Profile. (this prevents your competitors from changing your phone number, address, hours, services offered, website, or even ownership of your Google Business Profile.)
Citation Management
Business Citations, (or Online Directories) play a key role, both in terms of search engine ranking but also customer acquisition.
A couple facts:
68% of consumers say they will not use a local business if they find incorrect information in online directories.
31% of local search users click on a Business Directory listing in Organic Search.
The completeness & correctness of your business info throughout the internet directly impacts your ranking in Google Business and the local organic search results (called NAP Authority)
There are many options online for listing your business, most range from $100-$200/mo for this service alone, and provide auto-submission to 35-60 listings.
We have an exhaustive list of over 1,000 business directories. Each month we manually add your complete business information to 10-15 of the most prominent Business Directories, Vocal Search Interfaces, Data Aggregators and more. This allows your NAP Authority in Google to grow month after month as your total number of business citations grows.