In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), one factor remains consistently important: citations. These online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) act as digital breadcrumbs, helping search engines like Google verify your legitimacy and understand your local presence. And while citations can be found scattered across the web, having a dedicated “Find Us Online” page on your website can significantly boost their impact.

Check out GMW Fire Protection’s “Find Us Online” page for a great example of a “Find Us Online” page.

Why “Find Us Online” Pages Matter

Here are just a few reasons why every business needs a “Find Us Online” page:

• Improved Local Search Rankings: Citations are a key ranking factor for local SEO. Having a comprehensive “Find Us Online” page that links to all your accurate citations sends strong signals to search engines, boosting your visibility in local search results.
• Enhanced Credibility and Trust: A well-maintained “Find Us Online” page showcases your online presence and demonstrates your commitment to local engagement. This builds trust with potential customers and establishes you as a reliable and accessible business.
• Increased Website Traffic: Your “Find Us Online” page provides a central hub for all your online listings, making it easier for potential customers to find your website driving valuable traffic and leads.
• Streamlined Citation Management: Maintaining accurate and consistent citations across the web can be daunting. A “Find Us Online” page acts as a central repository, making tracking and managing your citations easy, ensuring their accuracy and effectiveness.
• Improved User Experience: A user-friendly “Find Us Online” page provides visitors with all the essential information they need to find your business, including your address, phone number, website, and social media profiles. This enhances the user experience and encourages engagement.

Creating a Powerful “Find Us Online” Page

While a “Find Us Online” page can be helpful for website visitors, its primary purpose is to consolidate your citations in one place for search engine crawlers to find and index easily. This helps search engines understand your online presence and improve your local search rankings.

Here’s how to optimize your “Find Us Online” page for search engines:

• Prioritize NAP Consistency: Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are exactly the same on this page as they are on all your online listings. Accuracy and consistency are crucial for local SEO.
• Link to All Citations: Include links to every directory and platform where your business is listed. This helps search engines discover and associate these citations with your website.
• Use Schema Markup: Implement schema markup (structured data) to help search engines understand the information on the page. This can improve visibility and click-through rates in search results.
• Focus on Relevant Keywords: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords and location-based terms within the page content and link anchor text.

While visual appeal is always a good practice, prioritize providing a clear and easily crawlable structure for search engines on this page.

“Find Us Online” Pages: A Must-Have for Local SEO Success

In today’s competitive online landscape, a well-crafted “Find Us Online” page is essential for any business looking to improve its local SEO, build trust with potential customers, and drive website traffic. By following these tips and leveraging the power of citations, you can ensure your business is easily discoverable online and ready to connect with local customers.

Ready to take your local SEO to the next level? Contact BlakSheep Creative today to learn more about our comprehensive SEO services and how we can help you create a “Find Us Online” page that gets results.

Are you making these SEO mistakes? Many businesses unknowingly sabotage their search rankings with common errors. Discover three critical mistakes to avoid in our recent post, “Three SEO Mistakes That Can Impact Your Search Rankings.”

Local SEO: Still a Strong Contender

Reviews: Customer reviews remain a cornerstone of local SEO. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews can significantly boost your local search rankings.

Directory Listings: While less influential than they once were, major directory listings are still worth the effort. Focus on the big ones like Google Business Profile (GBP), Yelp, and Bing Places.

GMB Optimization: Proper formatting, accurate category selection, and complete profiles are crucial. A well-optimized GBP profile can drive local traffic and improve visibility.

On-Site Content: Your content must reflect local relevance. Ensure that your website’s content speaks to your local audience’s needs and interests.

Keyword Research: The Foundation of SEO

Despite changes in the SEO landscape, keyword research remains critical. Building content around terms people actively search for and those you can realistically rank for is fundamental. While the emphasis on keywords has shifted slightly, understanding search intent and targeting appropriate keywords is still a winning strategy.

Technical SEO: Essential Yet Foundational

Technical SEO tasks, while often seen as a one-time effort, are still essential. These include:

• Proper site architecture
• Mobile optimization
• Fast loading speeds
• Secure website (SSL)

Implementing these correctly during the development phase can set a strong foundation for SEO success.

Content Creation: King with a Caveat

Content is still king, but with a twist. Google’s algorithm favors websites that consistently publish engaging, high-quality content. This can help attract natural backlinks and establish niche expertise. However, with the influx of AI-generated content, creating unique, valuable content that stands out is more important than ever. Businesses should consider whether investing in professional content or allocating a budget towards Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising is more effective for their goals.

On-Page SEO: Evolving Priorities

While some on-page SEO elements like keywords in header tags and URLs have diminished in importance, other factors remain crucial:

• Page Speed: Ensures a good user experience.
• SSL: Boosts site security and trustworthiness.
• Mobile-Friendliness: Essential for ranking and user experience.
• Content Quality: The content itself is paramount, with keyword stuffing being a tactic of the past. Focus on creating valuable, well-written content.

Backlinks: Quality Over Quantity

Backlinks continue to play a role, though their impact has changed. Quality backlinks from reputable sources are more valuable than numerous low-quality ones. Google’s link spam updates have reduced the effectiveness of junk backlinks, emphasizing the need for genuine, high-quality links. A single high-quality backlink can lead to a surge in additional backlinks, particularly from a respected publication.

Service Area Pages: Potential but Challenging

Service area pages can be effective but require engaging, unique content to avoid being seen as doorway pages. Success with this strategy often depends on the strength of your website’s ranking signals.

Schema Markup: Limited but Strategic

While schema markup has minimal direct impact on rankings (less than 1% influence), it can help increase click-through rates (CTR) by enhancing search result visibility. It’s beneficial for product-based sites but less critical for others.

The Role of Accessibility

Improving website accessibility benefits users and may become a more significant ranking factor. Ensuring your website is accessible can enhance user experience and improve SEO performance.

Navigating the Future of SEO: Adapt and Thrive

SEO in 2024 requires a balanced approach, focusing on foundational elements and evolving strategies. High-quality content, genuine backlinks, and a well-optimized local presence remain crucial. By staying informed and adaptable, SEO professionals can continue to drive success for their clients in this ever-changing landscape.

At BlakSheep Creative, we understand the complexities of SEO and are committed to helping businesses like yours stay ahead of the curve. Our tailored SEO services are designed to enhance your online presence, drive traffic, and boost your rankings.

Ready to take your SEO strategy to the next level? Contact BlakSheep Creative today and let our team of experts help you navigate the future of SEO with confidence and success. Fill our the form below to start your journey toward better rankings and increased visibility!

Google is shutting down Websites made with Google Business Profiles and the redirect option is horrid https://t.co/OeVCeRfKGR pic.twitter.com/9MWZVagfOe

— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) January 9, 2024

At BlakSheep Creative, we understand that businesses that have leaned heavily on their free Google Business Sites may face challenges during this transition. Here’s why they may not make the best clients for our services:

For a deeper dive into effective digital marketing strategies tailored for small and medium-sized businesses, especially amidst changing online platforms, check out our article “Understanding the Digital Marketing Landscape for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs).” It’s packed with insights on navigating budget constraints, enhancing your SEO, and more. Elevate your digital marketing game by reading this essential guide. Read more here.

Reluctance to Invest in Marketing and Websites:

In the digital marketplace, the reluctance to invest in a robust online presence can significantly hamstring a business’s potential. Companies that rely solely on free platforms like Google Business Sites often do so because of budget constraints, which is understandable. However, this reluctance to invest in a dedicated website or comprehensive marketing strategies can be a critical misstep. It signals a hesitancy to allocate necessary resources toward nurturing a strong online footprint, potentially limiting the scope and impact of digital marketing efforts.

At BlakSheep Creative, we recognize that investment in digital marketing and web development is not just an expense; it’s an investment in your brand’s future. Our no-haggle pricing policy reflects our commitment to delivering value that far exceeds the initial investment. We’re dedicated to crafting bespoke solutions that align with your brand’s aspirations and financial considerations.

Businesses relying on free platforms often miss the bigger picture: success in the digital landscape demands strategic investment. You have to pay to play if you want to stand out and grow in a competitive market.

For a deeper understanding of our commitment to delivering excellence without the hassle of negotiation, we invite you to explore our approach in “Why We Won’t Haggle Over Pricing.”

Choosing to invest in your online presence with BlakSheep Creative means choosing a partner that is deeply invested in your success. It’s about making a strategic decision to elevate your brand’s digital narrative and unlock its full potential. Let’s navigate the digital landscape together, transcending budget constraints and crafting a success story that resonates with your brand’s ambition and vision.

Resistance to Change:

For some businesses, change can be met with resistance, especially when they are accustomed to the simplicity and ease of Google Business Sites. Transitioning to a new platform or investing in a professionally designed website may not align with their comfort zone. This resistance to change can hinder their ability to adapt to evolving digital marketing strategies and technologies.

Limited Understanding of Online Marketing:

Businesses that rely solely on free Google Business Sites may have a limited understanding of the broader spectrum of online marketing. While these platforms offer a basic online presence, they might not provide the comprehensive exposure and engagement that businesses need to truly thrive in the digital marketplace. This is similar to the misconceptions we’ve addressed regarding referrals in Facebook Groups.

Our expertise extends beyond website design to encompass search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media management. Clients primarily focused on a free website may not fully appreciate our comprehensive services to maximize their online presence.

To understand the importance of a well-rounded digital marketing strategy and why we advocate for a more diversified approach, delve into our insights in Why We Don’t Put Too Much Faith in Referrals in Facebook Groups.

Missed Opportunities for Growth:

Relying solely on a Google Business Site may have limited a business’s growth potential. A dedicated website offers greater customization, branding opportunities, and the ability to stand out in a competitive digital landscape. Clients who are content with minimal online presence might not be as open to exploring new avenues for growth and expansion.

In Conclusion:

While we at BlakSheep Creative are always eager to assist businesses in enhancing their online presence, we recognize that not all businesses are a perfect fit for our services. Clients relying heavily on free Google Business Sites may have different priorities and expectations, which may not align with our expertise and offerings. We are dedicated to working with clients committed to investing in their online success and are open to embracing change and growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your online presence, adapt to the changing digital landscape, and unlock the full potential of your business, BlakSheep Creative is here to help. Our team of experts specializes in creating tailored websites, comprehensive marketing strategies, and providing ongoing support to ensure your success.

Don’t let the transition from Google Business Sites hold you back. Embrace this opportunity to thrive online with a dedicated website and expert marketing services. Fill out the form below today to discuss your needs, explore your options, and embark on a journey toward digital excellence. Let’s shape your online future together!

Here’s an insightful dive into the SEO implications of customer photos in reviews:

1. Enhancing Authenticity and Credibility:

Online reviews equipped with customer photos amplify the authenticity of a testimonial. Genuine images from real-life clients serve as a visual affirmation of their experiences, establishing a stronger trust foundation for potential clients and search engines alike[9].

Ready to make your online reviews more credible? Dive deep into our reputation management offerings. Visit our services page to explore how BlakSheep Creative can elevate your brand’s trustworthiness in the digital world. Discover Our Services Now!

2. Boosting Local SEO:

When customers upload photos alongside their reviews, especially for local businesses, it gives search engines additional localized content to crawl. For businesses operating in specific geographical areas, like Denham Springs, these localized visual testimonials can enhance local search rankings[3].

3. Engaging and Interactive Content:

Search engines prioritize content that engages users. Photos in reviews increase the time a user spends on a page, signaling to search engines like Google that the content is valuable and should rank higher[9].

4. Increasing Click-Through Rates:

Businesses with photos in their reviews tend to attract more attention. Users are more inclined to click on a review with a photo than a text-only review. A higher click-through rate can influence search engine rankings, amplifying your online visibility[7].

5. User-Generated Content for SEO:

Customer photos act as user-generated content, which can be beneficial for SEO. Search engines view user-generated content as fresh and regularly updated content, often giving it more weight in search rankings.

6. Social Proof and Conversion Rates:

From an SEO perspective, websites with higher conversion rates often receive preferential treatment in search rankings. When potential customers see real-life images from satisfied clients, they’re more likely to engage with the business, thus boosting conversions[2].

In Conclusion:

Harnessing the power of customer photos in online reviews isn’t just about amplifying your brand’s authenticity; it’s a strategic move to enhance your SEO efforts and grow your online presence. At BlakSheep Creative, we’ve been leveraging such nuanced digital strategies for over 20 years, helping small businesses thrive in the online realm. Ensure your business is maximizing its digital potential by understanding and embracing the multifaceted benefits of customer photos in reviews.

Visit our SEO services page to learn more about how we can help you increase your local visibility and maximize the number of potential customers that find you. Whether it’s improving your organic rankings or optimizing for Google My Business, Blaksheep Creative offers a comprehensive suite of services to meet your needs.

We’ll work with you to develop a customized strategy that best suits your goals, budget, and timeline. Our team of SEO professionals will also provide valuable insights to help you stay ahead of the competition. Let Blaksheep Creative help you increase your local visibility and reach more customers today!

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile

Local SEO is all about being visible online, and one of the best ways to do this is by claiming your Google Business profile. It’s free, easy to set up, and offers a great platform for businesses to showcase their products or services as well as manage customer reviews. 

Plus, with a business profile, you can feature in Google Maps when people search for local services like yours.

Plus, this is the only way to let Google know about your business and where it is located so that you can show up in the local search results.

2. Conduct Thorough Keyword Research

Identify the terms that your target audience is searching for relevant to your [product/service].

• Use keyword research tools (e.g., Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush)
• Identify primary and secondary keywords
• Analyze competitors’ keywords
• Keep local intent in mind (e.g., ‘near me,’ city name)

3. Optimize Title Tags, Meta Descriptions, and Heading Tags

Update your website’s taglines with the primary and secondary keywords you have identified. This is crucial for guiding search engines through the relevance of your content, but it’s also the first impression users get in the SERPs. Here’s how to make it count:

• Write unique and engaging title tags that instantly convey the value of your page.
• Craft informative and actionable meta descriptions that encourage clicks.
• Include keywords in header tags (<h1>, <h2>, etc.) to structure your content effectively for both users and search engines.

But beware of sticking with generic titles like “Home” that can leave visitors and search engines guessing what your page is about. For a deeper dive into the art of crafting title tags that stand out in the SERPs, check out our comprehensive guide: “Is Your Website Stuck in the Past? ‘Home’ in SERPs is No Laughing Matter.” Discover the transformative power of a well-optimized title tag and how it can elevate your site’s SEO and user engagement.

Remember, a well-optimized page goes beyond just keywords. It’s about creating a seamless narrative that begins with the title tag and carries through to the last heading on the page.

4. Implement Schema Markup

Maximize your local search engine rankings by integrating schema markup and microdata.

• Use Schema.org templates for local businesses.
• Include relevant information (e.g., business name, address, phone number, website URL)

5. Create Local Landing Pages

Develop and add local landing pages to your website featuring tailored content.

• Incorporate local maps and directions
• Showcase customer reviews specific to the region
• Promote local events and promotions
• Optimize content and tags with local keywords

6. Maintain Accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)

Ensure that your website’s NAP information is consistent and up-to-date across online directories.

• Verify your NAP on your website and Google My Business
• Update NAP on directory listings (e.g., Yelp, Bing Places, Foursquare)
• Check for accuracy and consistency across all platforms

By following these best practices in website optimization, you’ll significantly boost your website’s local search engine rankings and drive more high-quality traffic to your [product/service]. Experience the quick local SEO wins and give your business the online visibility it deserves with the help of BlakSheep Creative.

Get a Free Local SEO Audit From BlakSheep Creative!

It’s time to optimize your business website for local search engine traffic with the help of BlakSheep Creative. Our team of local SEO experts will provide your business with an in-depth audit to identify any areas of improvement and give you the quick local SEO wins you need. Get started now – schedule your free local SEO audit today!

That’s why we at BlakSheep Creative are here to guide you and provide the best solutions. With over 20+ years of experience as a leading digital marketing agency in Denham Springs, LA, we have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate the digital world successfully.

Now, let’s hop right to it – 7 ways you may be sabotaging your website (and not even know it!).

1. Neglecting Keyword Research

Keywords are the foundation of any successful SEO strategy, and we understand their significance. Our team of experts will conduct thorough keyword research to ensure your website is optimized for the right keywords. By understanding the keywords your target audience is searching for, we can drive valuable traffic to your website.

2. Overlooking On-Page Optimization

On-page optimization is a crucial aspect of improving your search engine rankings. We know the importance of optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and alt text for images. By carefully optimizing these on-page elements with relevant keywords, we provide search engines with the necessary information to understand and rank your content effectively.

However, one common pitfall that many websites fall into is using outdated practices, like setting their homepage title to simply “Home.” This not only impacts your SEO efforts but also your click-through rates.

Don’t let such a fundamental error hold back your site’s potential. Learn more about the impact of your homepage title and how to craft a compelling one in our recent post, “Is Your Website Stuck in the Past? “Home” in SERPs is No Laughing Matter.” Discover why updating from a ‘Home’ title to a more descriptive and strategic title tag can make a significant difference in your site’s online presence.

By addressing these seemingly small details, you can make a big impact on your site’s SEO performance. It’s not just about the content itself but how you present it to the world and search engines.

3. Neglecting Mobile Optimization

In today’s mobile-driven world, mobile optimization is essential for success. At BlakSheep Creative, we prioritize creating mobile-friendly websites that provide seamless experiences across different screen sizes. Our responsive designs ensure your website loads quickly and provide a user-friendly experience on mobile devices.

4. Ignoring Content Quality and Relevance

Content is the backbone of your website, and we recognize its significance. Our team of skilled content creators will craft high-quality, relevant, and informative content that engages your audience and aligns with search engine algorithms. We can increase user engagement and improve search engine rankings by providing valuable insights and solutions.

Bad Website:

Poor Design
Unresponsive or Slow
Confusing Navigation
Lack of Relevant Content
Ineffective Call to Action

— Sayed (@saidulsayid) May 21, 2023

5. Failing to Build Quality Backlinks

Backlinks play a crucial role in establishing your website’s authority and credibility. As a leading digital marketing agency, we understand the importance of building quality backlinks. Our team will actively pursue link-building opportunities from reputable sources within your industry, leveraging strategies such as guest blogging, influencer collaborations, and industry forum participation. We can boost your website’s authority and improve its search engine rankings by securing valuable backlinks.

6. Poor Website Navigation and User Experience

We know that a seamless user experience is vital for the success of your website. Our expert designers will ensure that your website’s navigation is intuitive, with a clear hierarchy and well-organized categories. By incorporating user-friendly features such as search bars, breadcrumbs, and internal linking, we enhance the overall user experience and encourage visitors to explore your website further.

7. Neglecting Website Speed and Performance

Website speed and performance are critical to user satisfaction and search engine rankings. Our team will optimize your website’s speed by implementing strategies like image compression, code minification, browser caching, and reliable hosting solutions. By regularly monitoring and optimizing your website’s performance, we guarantee a smooth and speedy browsing experience for your visitors.

Avoid Falling Behind: While avoiding these common mistakes can help maintain your site’s integrity, understanding the profound impact of overall poor SEO practices is crucial. Don’t miss our in-depth analysis in “The Sudden Decline in SEO Performance: Don’t Let This Be You,” which offers a real-world perspective on the dire consequences of neglecting professional SEO guidance.

To take your website to new heights and avoid these common pitfalls, claim your free website consultation with BlakSheep Creative. With our 20+ years of experience as a leading digital marketing agency in Denham Springs, LA, we have the expertise and knowledge to help you elevate your online presence and achieve your business goals. Let our team of experts guide you on the path to digital success.

Don’t do it.

If you’re like me, you’ve made the mistake of doing this before (and let’s be honest – who hasn’t?).

The problem is that when you leave a review for your own business, Google will flag it as spam. And if they think just one of your reviews is fake, then your other reviews are at risk of being flagged as well!

The next thing you know, you’re entire profile could be labeled “untrusted,” and you won’t show up in a potential customer’s Google search. And then your business will die a slow death, one that you can’t come back from.

Why reviewing your own business is a Google no-no.

 Writing reviews for a business that you own or work for is not permitted as per the review policies and are eligible to be removed: Google My Business Help -> Review policies:

Why?

Because Google doesn’t want their search results cluttered with biased reviews, I mean, seriously, do you think you’re going to be as critical of your own business as a stranger would be?

It’s a conflict of interest, and Google knows it.

It looks like you’re going to have to put that ego of yours back in the box and let the impartial stranger do the review for you. And I’m sorry to say, but your Mom is probably not unbiased (sorry, lady).

There are a lot of gray areas when it comes to conflict of interest. The most valuable reviews are those that are honest and unbiased.

Please don’t review your own company or work for this reason. Do not offer, accept, or take money in exchange for writing positive or negative reviews about you (or your competitor).

So don’t leave a review for yourself – no matter how badly you want to. And don’t even ask your friends and family members to do it either! That’s just as bad because they will most likely be biased towards you.

Plus, if you do, people will notice.

Sneaky Ken Ferguson would never tell a lie Here’s our Ken reviewing his own business on google to effectively mislead the public. @BrechinCityFC @RangersFC @spfl pic.twitter.com/A4oleedPqa

— UnionOfRangers (@UnionOfRangers) May 11, 2020

You should let someone else do it for you. Someone who has no ties with your business will be honest in their review (because they don’t want to hurt your feelings like a family member or friend would).

How to Review Your Own Business on Google

But hey, if you’re going to leave a fake review for yourself on Google, then at least do it right:

• Don’t provide any additional information about your business.
• Don’t leave too many reviews for your business at once.
• Don’t use the same IP address in all of your reviews.
• Don’t provide contact details in your review (like a phone number or email).
• Keep it short and straightforward, so it isn’t obvious that it’s fake.

And most importantly…

Don’t do it! I can’t stress this enough, don’t do it! Google will eventually find it out, and both your business profile and your Google account could be labeled as untrusted, or worse – deleted!

What about leaving fake bad reviews for your competition?

Don’t even think about it!

Don’t ever leave fake or biased reviews for your competition under any circumstance. It’s against Google policies, and if they find out – you could lose all of your positive reviews in an instant. And let me tell you, that really will kill your business (and no one wants that to happen).

It’s better not to leave any reviews at all on Google than to lose your account!

What if the competition leaves fake reviews for your business?

If you see that your competitor has left you bad reviews, the thing to do is to report it. Google will investigate and take them down if they were fake (and yes, they will be able to tell).

You may report the review that your competitor has written by following the instructions here: Google Maps Help -> Write reviews and add ratings of places.

Now, now that any of our reviews are fake, but we’ll use our Google Business Profile to show you. Here’s right where you do it.

Then, just move on with your business, let the customers decide who is better, not some falsely manipulated review system. Otherwise, they will eventually catch you out, and that’s when things get ugly.

So, if you don’t want to do it for yourself, who should write the review?

Friends and family are probably not impartial; leave the reviewing to the strangers!

The best way to get good reviews is by providing good service, marketing your business well, and treating your customers right.

Ask customers to leave you a review at the checkout, or send a follow-up email to remind them.

Explain how easy it is for them to hop in the Google Maps App (or other review sites) and leave you a note to let you (and everyone else) know about their experience.

Be sure to answer every review, both good and bad. Take the time to thank the customer for their feedback (positive or not), and let them know that you appreciate their input.

And if they were unhappy with your service, be sure to apologize for the inconvenience and ask what you could have done differently, so it doesn’t happen again. It will show customers that you care about their experience, which could help you earn trust from potential customers.

A happy customer is the best mouthpiece that a business owner can have.

But how will customers find your business on Google Maps without reviews?

That’s just it; they probably won’t.

It’s no secret that reviews are a huge factor in local SEO. As a result, if your Google Business Profile has no reviews at all – it’s unlikely that customers will find you on Google.

Local SEO is a must for any local business!

So how do you get more reviews?

We’re glad you asked!

Read our recent article to learn our foolproof method to get more reviews.

Bear in mind, while it was written for painting contractors, the same principles will work for any business.

Conclusion

I hope you see how leaving reviews for your business on Google is a bad idea now. It’s really not worth the risk of losing all your great reviews, or worse yet – completely removing your Google review profile!

Do yourself a favor and let an impartial stranger leave the review for you. You’ll be thankful that you didn’t make this mistake in the future.

Thanks for reading my article! I hope you found it helpful. Leave me a comment if you have any questions or feedback! I would love to hear your thoughts.

And take a look at our reviews below. You’ll see that we must be doing something right!

Do you need help getting online reviews?

Trying to manage your online reputation on your own can be difficult and time-consuming.

That’s where we come in. We have a team of experts who know how to get reviews from customers and respond to them quickly and effectively. This will improve your Local SEO, and as a result, increase trust from potential customers.

Let us help you take the hassle out of managing your online reputation. We’ll do all the work for you so you can focus on what you do best – running your business!

Contact us today for a free consultation!

By renaming the app with this change-over process moving forward, all efforts are being put into bringing GBP management out of apps like Search or Maps so you can do everything from one place, including setting up appointments and changing business hours and/or details.

Why a New Name?

Google is finally shaking off the old name and introducing a new one: Google Business Profiles.

The company said that’s to keep things simple, though we suspect it might also be because they’re getting ready for something big- like retiring the Google My Business dashboard app in 2022.

Learn how to interpret your Google My Business insights on the business app while you can in our recent blog post.

Great, another new name!

Google is no stranger to name changes.  Now we’ll be calling the local business management product “Google Business Profile.”

• Before that, it was named Google My Business.
• Before Google My Business, it was named Google Places (again).
• Before Google Places, it was Google+ Local.
• Before Google+ Local, it was Google Places.
• Before that, it was just Google Local.

And that’s just the ones that we can think of off the top of our heads.

So, yes, it’s a new name to keep in mind. Google Business Profile.

Is Google My Business going away?

No, Google My Business is not going away. It’s just changing names to Google Business Profile – just with some new features.

Now business owners are encouraged to manage their single listings on Google Search and/or Google Maps.  They can use either the web interface or mobile apps.

There’s nothing new to learn here;  they’ve let businesses manage their listings directly in the search results and Google Maps App for a while now.

Now, they’re just saying that they prefer you use the Google Maps or Search apps if you have a single listing.

What about larger businesses with multiple locations?

Here’s a secret.  You’re the reason for the change!

Google has been encouraging multi-location businesses to make their business profiles more accurate and efficient, so this change only makes sense.

In other words, this change is to primarily support larger businesses; however, small businesses should know about the changes as well.

They will be redirecting and rebranding the GMB web interface.  There will likely be changes to the Business Profile Manager and additional tools added throughout the upcoming months.

That’s ok; we know a Google business profile manager who still uses https://google.com/places and is directed to https://google.com/business.

Old habits die hard.

Do you need help with your Google My Business (well, Google Business Profile?). We’d love to help you with that. Learn more about our GMB services to see how we can help your business shine online!

GBP’s New Features

Google announced new features with this announcement.  Some of them are:

• You can claim and verify your Google Business Profile directly in Google Search and Maps
• Call history is officially launching in the US and Canada
• Searchers can message you directly from Google Search
• Profile owners can control read receipts In Google Search and Maps

How You Will Manage Your Business

To manage your business profile, all you have to do is search for your business name in Google Search or Google Maps.  Or, you can search for “my business” in Google Search to view the profile that you’ve already claimed and verified.

What the Changes Look Like

Here are some images that show how the new Google Business Profile features will look:

What it looks like. 

Here are screenshots of the web interface and mobile app interfaces for these features:

Google Search

Customers can message local businesses right there on the search results pages.  To us, it makes more sense than opening Google Maps to check out the business’ location, store hours, and other basic information.

This is especially true now that these businesses are adding contact and other business information right there on their profiles. It’s much less work for them to respond to requests since they’re all together in one place.  That should make everyone happy.

Call History

Google Business Profile managers can view call history and monitor how their customers engage with the phone number on their business listing.

Read receipts

You’ll be able to see if your messages are being read.

Why Do We Care?

Google is all about local search, and they’ve got your back. The Google My Business web interface isn’t changing as much as it’s rebranding.

For now.

Over the next few months, you can expect to see more of the old GMB web interface features working directly in Google Search, Google Maps, and their apps.

So, yeah, Google My Business is renamed Google Business Profile.  But, it’s ok,  it’s still the same thing.

For now, anyway.

Here’s what Local SEO Guru Greg Gifford had to say about the change:

If you’re interested in learning more, here’s a great article on the subject and other latest news about Google.

If you need help claiming, verifying, and optimizing your GMB (or GBP) profile, we’re here to help.   We can help you with all of your digital marketing needs, from designing and developing your business website to content creation for all of your social media properties.

Contact us today to get started.  

Google My Business is one of the best ways to get more traffic and free backlinks from the most authoritative search engine in the world. In this post, we will cover how to optimize your GMB profile to dominate local search results with GMB backlinks.

The Easiest Local Search SEO Strategy for Building Backlinks

The backlink profile of a business is an integral part of the local SEO ranking factors. Quality and diversity are vital to earning high-quality, varied links that will drive traffic to your site.

One way you can earn new quality backlinks for your website is through your Google My Business listing.

The good news is that GMB is not only free, but it’s also one of the most powerful ways to get high-quality links.

Adding links from your Google My Business listing should be the first step in your link-building strategy.

Five ways to use GMB as a backlink source

You may not have considered this one, but it is the most critical link in all of Google My Business.

This backlink leads visitors to your website by clicking on the website button on your GMB profile page and helps you rank for local organic rankings if done correctly.

So when visitors find your business on GMB and click on the website button, they will be redirected to your website, where you can entice them with a coupon or free offer.

The benefit of this backlink is that it’s reliable because people always need what businesses have in store for them, so there is little risk involved with relying on this particular type of link.

Plus, the link is directly from Google, so it’s already getting a lot of authority from being the most popular search engine.

The backlink is also easy to implement because you just need to create an account with Google My Business and add your website address in the profile settings.

Learn more about our local SEO strategy that works every time.

Google My Business Website Backlinks

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add backlinks, this one is probably the most interesting and not very popular.

To make it work, go into your GMB dashboard under “website” on the sidebar.

Once there, activate your business site before adding links from other sites as per usual!

Three steps to add a link

1. Click edit on the left
2. Fill out all fields, add a link to the body section, and hit the checkmark.
3. Click on publish on the top right. 

Tip: Double-check the URL of your Google My Business profile for errors.

There are a few rare glitches with GMB where the URL shown in the information section is swapped out and replaced with Google’s website after you hit “publish,” so be sure to check this for any mismatches or errors.

GMB Products

Another easy way to build links from your GMB profile to your local business website is by adding products to your GMB page.

Add products by going into the URL of your Google My Business profile and looking for “products” on the sidebar which should be located under “tools.”

Create a new product, fill out all required fields, choose a CTA and add an appropriate URL to your product or service page.

If you’re a pure service-related business, don’t hesitate to use this feature.

Google My Business Posts

If you’re not using your GMB profile’s posts feature, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to create backlinks.

The posts feature allows you to post updates about your business directly onto GMB, which will show up on Google Search and Google Maps.

This is an excellent way for people in your area to stay updated with what’s happening at your company.

Posts can be used as a news source for potential customers in your area or to share upcoming events at your company with existing clients within driving distance. It provides you the opportunity to reach out and connect with them without being too pushy.

You can use posts to drive traffic to your website and gain backlinks.

How to get backlinks from Google My Business Posts

There are two easy ways to get backlinks from your GMB posts.

• The first way is to copy and paste the URL into the post body.
• The second way is to add a Call To Action (CTA) to your post and link it to the appropriate page on your website.

We prefer to use the second way because CTA buttons typically produce higher conversion rates than plain text links. 

Unfortunately, neither method allows you to dictate the link’s anchor text.

Appointment URL

Another way to get GMB backlinks is through the appointment URL.

The GMB dashboard enables you to add an appointment link.

This appointment link will be publicly visible on your profile and should only apply if the customer can either set up an engagement or contact you for more information.

It would be best if you didn’t use this URL with any other purpose in mind, especially something that requires a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe because it could compromise both sides of security measures put into place by Google.

Do you want to rank higher in Google?

We offer a free local SEO audit that will help you get your business ranking higher on Google. It’s quick and easy; just enter your information below!

You can have an expert analyze your website, GMB listing, and other vital local SEO elements for any issues to increase organic traffic. This is perfect if you are looking to increase sales or grow your customer base. Get started today!

In this free audit, we’ll check your websites on-page, off-page, citations, local rankings, rankings in Google’s map pack, social media profiles, and more.

If you don’t have a website, what are you waiting for? Check out our pay-per-month websites to see how we can help you.

Complete the form below to get your free local SEO audit

When we think about the world of online shopping, companies like Amazon and Apple may come to mind. But it’s often overlooked how this “always connected” change has affected small local businesses’ landscape. The truth is that today’s local business customer journey has changed regardless of whether they interact with the site or in person.

For example, if you live on one side of Denham Springs where there are three grocery stores within walking distance, but your preferred store just closed down without warning, now not only do you have to go out farther for groceries than before; when they get home those same items will be more expensive because gas prices went up with increased demand over time from people who also moved far away or were forced into it.

A local business has a much more limited physical footprint than ever before. They need to adjust their marketing strategies accordingly or else risk being left behind in this new landscape. And that’s where local SEO comes into play. Local businesses can’t compete by solely relying on word of mouth anymore; they have to focus on the internet.

Old Approaches No Longer Work

In the old days, local businesses would invest in traditional advertising like print and telemarketing to attract new customers. But today’s customer is different – when they want something online, it will be at a time that suits them best – not anyone else!

People no longer need to depend on just one voice for their opinions about products and services in this digital age. Thanks to online reviews, today’s customers can get hundreds of unbiased voices in seconds!

Speaking of reviews. Please never, ever, ever review your own business or have employees do it. Google hates that and will punish you for it.

In the pre-internet days, when a customer wanted to know more about a product or service, they had to either physically visit the business or (god-forbid) pick up the phone and call them.

Those days are long gone…

Today, customers can learn about your business with just a few taps on their smartphone or tablet! In fact, according to research from Search Engine Land*, 57% of local searches have been made by mobile devices in the past year – up from 50% last year! This is excellent news.

The truth is: customers today have access to more information than ever before. I say this because it’s good to get product descriptions and prices from our smartphones without being bothered by pushy salespeople or telemarketers.

Today’s Customers Start off Further Down the Sales Funnel

Do you know what’s great about today’s customers? They’re way further down the sales funnel than they would have been in the olden days. 

Well, that might not be such a good thing for you if your business has an atrocious online reputation because those prospective buyers are far more likely to spend their hard-earned cash with someone else!

This is why your business must encourage customers to leave you reviews and ratings on websites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, or even Yellow Pages!

I’ve used many businesses in my day-to-day life that have either had next to no online presence (in the form of reviews) or been awash with negative feedback. Either way, I haven’t gone back to them for business because they don’t deserve my patronage.

Online Traffic Drives Offline Sales

I’ve used many businesses in my day-to-day life that have either had next to no online presence (in the form of reviews) or been awash with negative feedback. Either way, I haven’t gone back to them for business because they don’t deserve my patronage.

Now more than ever, an online presence is essential for any business looking to grow its revenue. 78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases – meaning that not investing your time and effort into building a quality website and optimizing it for local searchers could be the difference between success or failure.

Investing in Local Search Marketing

A recent study by Google found that SMBs that are making the most use of online marketing techniques like local search, email campaigns, and social media channels enjoy revenue growth up to 2.8 times higher than those who do not invest in these strategies at all!

The benefits for your business don’t just increase sales; many companies have noticed a decrease in customer churn rates thanks to this strategy. 

If you’ve been thinking about taking advantage of some new technologies or investing more time into digital advertising, now is the perfect opportunity – call us today, or contact us to help explore what other options might be best suited for your needs.

There are over 500,000 businesses that close every year. One of the main reasons companies fail is that they don’t adapt their business to succeed in this new online-first world.

The more you invest in the local search market, the better your chances are of succeeding. 

Local SEO Helps Generate More Leads

It’s no secret that the world is now a digital place. Companies are always looking for ways to interact with their customers more effectively– and we happen to have some of those answers! Our main goal at BlakSheep Creative is to help your business generate leads online, whether by getting phone calls, emails, or walk-ins from prospective buyers.

By focusing on Local SEO, your business can be found more easily by your local customers. Now, we’re not just talking about the people who live five blocks away from you– we mean all of them!

Local Search Engine Optimization

Local Searches vs. Non-Local Searches

Google has a different algorithm to rank local searches vs. non-local searches.

An example of a local search is “local SEO company in baton rouge.” 

An example of a non-local search might be “Sony 43 inch TV” because this is a product that’s not tied to a physical location.

So when we look to improve rankings on Google, we first need to understand what Google wants. All Google wants to do is give the searcher the best possible result for their query.

How Does Google Determine Search Results?

If we dig a little deeper into this, Google uses a local algorithm to work out which results it thinks are best. The algorithm consists of three simple elements: proximity, relevance, and prominence.

Proximity. 

Proximity is how far away the business’s location is from the person searching. 

For example, if you’re a lawyer based in Mississippi and somebody searches for “lawyers in Baton Rouge,” you’re never going to appear in the results. Proximity is a metric that you can’t control or influence; you can’t decide where somebody searches from or what city they search for.

Relevance

Relevance is how well your business’ online presence matches what the searcher has searched for. A simple example of this is that if you’re a lawyer and someone searches for a plumber, you’re never going to appear in the results.

Now, this is an extreme example, but it’s layered. As another example, if you’re an employment lawyer and a person searches for an immigration lawyer, it’s unlikely that your business will be returned ahead of lawyers that purely specialize in immigration law.

Prominence

How does Google know which businesses to trust? The answer is Prominence. It’s how Google measures the factors that give a company more authority and reliability, such as reviews or links.

Google uses different algorithms for the two types of results you see when you do a local search.

Local Pack Results

The first is for Google’s local pack results, which are in this section here. This includes three Google listings that sit at the top of SERP below paid ads.

Every year Moz surveys some of the most recognized practitioners to learn what factors affect rankings and provide clients with a helpful breakdown of how they work in ranking businesses like yours.

This survey gives us a valuable understanding of how Google is looking at local businesses.

Organic Results

Google has a separate algorithm for the organic results, which are the blue links you see below the local pack. These organic results are still based on where in Google’s index your site ends up being ranked, and as such, we often refer to them as localized organic rankings. We focus both algorithms to help our clients drive more leads from Google – I’ll show you how!

We believe in full transparency with our clients; they must know what factors affect their search engine performance and how we build authority for them by improving these areas over time. The first step? Explaining each element and giving an example of work done

Google My Business (GMB)

Google My Business is the first thing prospects will see when they look for you online. So it’s not a surprise that Google account makes up 25% of your SEO ranking score! It’s also free to do, so why aren’t you using it?

But, it’s not enough to create a GMB page for your business; it needs to be optimized for local search. If your Google My Business profile hasn’t been properly optimized, then you’ll never succeed in local search, period.

Setting up a Google My Business listing is tricky; luckily, that’s why we’re here. We’ll walk you through setting it up so your business can be found by customers when they search for what you offer!

Our GMB Approach

Keyword Research

So in terms of what work we complete for our clients’ GMB listings, it all starts by uncovering which search terms people are actually searching for. We use Google’s tools to pull back the total number of local searches on Google every month for each of your services. This helps us identify which search terms we need to optimize for.

As an example, if there are 300 people a month searching for “Nissan dealerships” but there are 700 people a month searching for “Nissan car dealers”, we want to make sure we’re optimizing the client’s GMB profile for the search term with the higher volume.

Competitor Research

You can’t just put any old thing on your Google My Business listings. That’s where we come in! We poke around with the tools of a mad scientist and uncover all those little nitty-gritty details that people search for when they want to find businesses like yours, like find a restaurant near me that’s open on Sundays?

And then do some crazy tech stuff behind the scenes so that potential customers see exactly what they’re looking for right off their phone screen!

The work is never done because there are always new ways to optimize your GMB through creative marketing strategies or social media engagement.

The good news is that our marketing services experts take care of all of that for you, freeing you up to run your business.

Your GMB’s Q&A Section

Another key area we’ll help you work on is the Q&A section of your Google My Business listing. These questions and answers are prominent on your profile, which means they act as a community-sourced FAQ for potential customers who visit it.

We take care to post brand-friendly FAQS that will convert visitors into buyers by showing them all their concerns that have been addressed in advance (and answer any hard ones if needed). Once these go live, we’ll monitor them regularly to stay fresh, with new local content added often enough to keep people coming back!

Posts

We’ll also continuously create Google Posts. These are like social media updates that live on your GMB profile and help drive conversions from your listing, which is a good sign to Google that you’re an active business in the area!

Links

A link is like a vote for your business. It’s an endorsement of the quality, character, and competence that you offer to those searching Google. That’s why it’s crucial to get links and make sure they are from sites with good rankings themselves so that these votes stack up in our favor!

For example, when a respected university or industry publication links to your website, they are endorsing your business and putting their reputation at risk should you prove unworthy of their recommendation. It’s the same with peers and partners too; vouching for you in the form of a link puts all involved parties’ reputations on the line if something goes wrong down the road.

Link building has been a difficult task for many years now. It’s not something that just happens to you, and it’s not like content or any other commodity where the product is easily traded; instead, links have to be earned through hard work.

Links are costly because they require time, dedication, and effort to create high-quality articles with unique information or have products and services worth linking to on your site.  You have to have something that people will want to link back from their blog post about a related topic of interest within their niche market segment.

It is difficult to acquire links for your business’ website without the proper knowledge.

The best way to gain trusted relations with other sites and improve your local rankings is through a particular type of link called an inbound or backlink, which can help bolster rankings on Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

Learn about how to get backlinks from your Google My Business profile. It’s quick, easy, and FREE.

In addition, you will be able to benefit from traffic that would not have otherwise been available if those sources were linked elsewhere! This means more potential leads coming into contact with your brand, which are hopefully turned into clients and customers. In short:

Backlinks make sense because they lead people straight onto your site, where they may become prospects interested in purchasing what you offer them!

Our Approach to Link-Building for Local SEO

Here at BlakSheep creative, we use several methods to build backlinks for our clients. This includes leveraging the power of social media and blog posts, which are still highly effective in building links that can help boost your site’s local SEO ranking!

Audit

The first stage of our link strategy for our clients is completing a link audit to understand what your current link profile is like and to identify and remove any potentially harmful links. We also need to assess how your link profile compares to your competition in order to fully understand exactly what is required from a link building campaign.

Link Building

Your website is a significant part of your marketing strategy, and the more traffic it generates, the better. We specialize in Link Audit & Analysis to carefully identify and remove any potentially harmful links that may be hurting you from developing as much traffic as possible.

The first stage of our link strategy for clients includes completing a full audit on their current profile to find out what’s going well – or not so well. We also need to assess how they compare with the competition before fully understanding precisely what needs to be done during an effective campaign.

Reviews

Five years ago, companies were used to doing things their own way and hoping for the best. Nowadays, it’s a whole different story! Online reviews matter most when customers make buying decisions, so that means you need an online reputation management strategy if your company is not already following this trend.

Online reviews don’t just affect your rankings; they impact every stage of the customer’s buying journey.

A review can make or break a sale: from discovery to evaluation and even trust in the brand – all steps on that high stakes path to purchase.

Discover

The first stage of marketing is discovery. With more positive online reviews, you have a better chance to rank higher in local search results on Google and other sites for potential customers who will see your business when they’re searching the internet!

Evaluate

The next stage in the journey is evaluation. Your customers might be evaluating you on Google, and as they assess your listing with star ratings (and those of your competitors), they’re proving their worthiness.

If you have great online reviews, then your business is going to rank higher. This means that people will see and click on you more often than not because they know good quality when they find it!

Trust

One of the best ways to establish trust is by using online reviews. Small businesses with an excellent reputation have an advantage before they ever speak with a prospective customer.

So not only will you rank higher and get more clicks, but customers will be easier to sell to. Plus, they’ll buy more from you because of your online reviews.

Our Approach to Online Reviews

Our approach to online reviews is simple. First, we conduct an online review audit of your website to see what is currently being said about you online.

Second, we help you improve the things mentioned in those reviews or areas where there isn’t a lot of information available.

Then third and finally, we push for local SEO by getting more clients to leave positive feedback on sites like Yelp and your Google My Business (GMB).

Audit

The first thing we do for our clients is an audit of their reviews. We analyze the top-performing companies in your industry and compare them to you so that we help you stay competitive.

Gather More Reviews

Next, we help you gather more reviews with an online review campaign that targets your most valuable customers. We use email marketing to reach these clients and give them a special offer in exchange for their feedback on sites like Yelp or GMB.

The biggest challenge with online reviews is that unhappy customers are far more likely to leave reviews than happy ones. 

We use powerful software that helps your customers leave reviews on the most significant websites, boosting rankings and improving trust signals.

We’ll also make sure that you respond to customer feedback quickly not to lose their confidence in your business!

On-Page Signals (SEO)

The next factor is on-page signals, which are basically all the things living on your website- everything Google sees when they crawl it.

Optimizing on-page signals is an art and a science. Google loves sites that are up to date with the latest SEO best practices, so we need to run a site audit to make sure your page has all of the right ingredients!

Here are some of the areas we assess:

• Title tag + Header tag review
• Is there enough content, and is it locally relevant?
• Are there calls to action on your site to drive conversions?
• Is it easy for a user to navigate and get in contact?

Citations and Directories

Imagine how great it would be to have your business ranking at the top of search results. There’s a way for you to make that happen! A local citation is any place online that displays your business’ name, address, and phone number (NAP) – like Google Maps or Yelp.

Citations and directories are a great way to get local links for your website.

Suppose this information doesn’t match up with what other sources are displaying about YOUR BUSINESS. In that case, YOU will end up losing out on potential customers who find themselves unable to contact OR locate YOUR LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT in their area via internet searches.

Our Approach to Citations for Local SEO

Audit and Clean Up Incorrect Listings

We’ll run a full audit of the citations for your business, ensuring that we build out and clean up citations on the most powerful directories to ensure you have 100% accurate data. This provides optimal visibility in Google, which will lead to more customers coming through your doors!

We’ll help make it easier than ever for potential clients searching online to find you by ensuring all information is listed correctly and matches what they’re looking for with our comprehensive audits of citation listings.

How We Work With Clients

Here are the steps that we take to help our Local SEO customers rank higher in search results and bring in new customers.

Audit

First, we need to understand their current performance and the size of the gap between their business and our top competitors before we start implementing work for a new client.

Create a Strategy

Until we’ve completed this audit, it’s impossible to understand exactly what work is needed and subsequently what level of investment is required. The audit gives us a roadmap for our Local SEO strategy, determining precisely what we need to work on to increase the leads you generate online.

We’ll take you through the full results of your audit so that we can come up with a plan together.

In the next month, we’ll implement a strategy that will help us start on the right track and deliver as many quick wins as possible.

Let’s be honest. You want to know how much this is going to cost, and the truth is, we don’t know yet because many factors go into determining what level of investment makes sense for your business.

But I can guarantee you one thing: it will never make financial sense if things aren’t done correctly in the first place!

A successful Local SEO campaign needs to have a clear roadmap, timelines, and expectations. The audit takes 8 hours to build, and it will enable us to show you the best possible route for your company’s success in this field of marketing. Once we’ve presented our findings back, both of you can have an idea as to what results are expected from your budgeted time frame!