As if we haven’t given ourselves enough to do this year already (did someone say monthly webinars?!) on Tuesday, February 18, we took to Twitter to host our first #LocalSEOChat of the year.
Using questions we didn’t quite get around to in last week’s Local Search Clinic with Greg Gifford, we invited the local search community, including some of the industry’s most knowledgeable figures, to solve your frequently asked questions surrounding local SEO.
In just one hour, local SEOs united to solve each other’s queries, ranging from how to gain prominence as a service-area business to tackling shared locations on GMB, as well as first steps for agencies, mobile page speed, and motivating engagement through GMB.
If you missed out on the excitement, you can catch some of the top questions and answers below, along with some useful resources:
Recap
Q1. Do service areas on GMB profiles have any effect on local SEO and visibility in those areas? – Adam
A1: A businesses defined service area business will certainly affect local positions within reason.#LocalSEOChat
I’ve seen an effect when those service areas are also mentioned on the landing page and on other 3rd party pages that mention the brand. More of a co-occurrence strategy, but yes, I have seen it work and do recommend testing adding them.
Q2. If someone is a practitioner with three locations and three GMB profiles, should their office hours only show when they’re actually in the office? – Nathan
A2. This is a requirement by GMB guidelines. I’m astonished by the number of people and agencies that are unaware of this. The hours should also not overlap. #LocalSEOChathttps://t.co/jsD5vh4nwV
It’s a tough one to explain to a client who has employed a secretary 9-5 to cover more than one location. They don’t like the idea of their business showing as closed. Which I do understand.
A2. Unless practitioner has achieved a quantum state in which they can be at all three locations at the same time, they MUST state real business hours in respective listings. https://t.co/dPTZVKdAdp
A3. #LocalSEOChat Agencies should: 1. Conduct a full client needs analysis 2. Perform a local SEO audit (GMB, LLP, Citations, Reviews) 3. Setup a PM system breaking out LSEO disciplines 4. Setup reporting – including share of voice for critical kwds
A4: Hide your address once you’re verified – but know that Google doesn’t treat SABs fairly (IMO) so you have to really have strong content on your GMB (and website) to convey the WHERE! Set your Service areas to start, also put that info in your description. #LocalSEOChat
Q5. How important is mobile page speed when you’re trying to make the first page of SERPs on mobile? – Wes
A5: Since we’re in the world of mobile-first indexing – mobile page speed is a goodly piece of ranking well desktop OR mobile – also if you rank, but have a slow crappy site – you won’t convert – so look at it from a user’s standpoint and MAKE IT FAST! #LocalSEOChat
A5: Depends on how competitive the market is. If you’re playing with the big dogs, you better have a passing speed. We see sites married to their slow designs losing ground all the time.#LocalSEOChathttps://t.co/NyKTnEsDBh
A5. I have never seen a case where improving page speed hasn’t had a long term impact on keyword rankings and an immediate impact on bounce rates. #LocalSEOChat
It’s important. Specifically the page (not the whole site) that you are looking to rank. However, the goal should be to improve user experience overall. pic.twitter.com/vD8p8mjzk5
If your website is #WordPress and you have #Yoast installed then there’s a chance your profiles will feature on your Knowledge Panel, if you’ve configured everything correctly #localseochat
A8: your products(#nolongerbeta) should have engaging photos, you should try for the query carousel, you should list services (shows on mobile), you should have compelling cover photo/photos, you should write an engaging biz description #localseochat
A9. I do think it can improve your visibility for specific words but wouldn’t bank on this as an overall ranking strategy. #LocalSEOChathttps://t.co/at8SQd1hge
A9: sorta – They help more with conversions. If someone mentions a product/service in a review – and a shopper sees that the biz does “xyz thing” really well – and they’re shopping for “xyz thing” – they’re much more likely to hire that company/buy that product. #localseochat
Q10. How much do activity and social signals from Facebook, Twitter, etc. affect local rankings? – Chris
A10: I think its indirect and has a lot to do with word of mouth, community building (virtual and offline) and branding. It’s totally worth it for some brands/metros – and not at all for some. #localseochat
Q11. What kinds of videos do you suggest adding to GMB? – Joseph
A11: Video Testimonials. Just like you ask for reviews ask for a video testimonial and add it to your Google My Business listing https://t.co/9xfC2ufodw
A11. Whatever videos will help tell the story of your products or services to customers. Explaining a new program or service, showing a new product and how it could be useful in their life, sharing stories to build connection to the community, etc. #LocalSEOChathttps://t.co/FYqNn2IwcI
Gym – They love weekly coaches challenge Restaurants – Sizzle & Flames Manufacturing – Removal of baffle grease filters ?? Training Centre – Student Diary
We love adding videos to our #GMB updates as well! A great place to display engaging content, not only in the videos tab! @brightlocalhttps://t.co/XZmX8p28nS
A12. Ranking fluctuations may be due to a slow (or suspicious peak) pattern of growth in data accuracy, local landing page experience, new citations, or rating/review behavior. Work on all consistently, see consistent growth. #localseochat
Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday and participated so keenly in #LocalSEOChat! Why not keep the discussion going in the comments below? Or, alternatively, join our local SEO networking list on Twitter to connect with other local SEOs.