Is it important to keep my website software and plugins updated?

Yes, it is important. Just ask any business owner who has had their site hacked. Google is placing a high priority on security and usually website software (like wordpress) and plugins have updates to fix security vulnerabilities. By not updating these, it leaves your site more susceptible to hackers.

If I have a website and it needs updating what is the process?

Updating your website is personal and we take the time to discuss with you what you want. We can develop different solutions to achieve your desired outcome within your budget.

I'm thinking of trialing an adwords campaign, should i talk to google direct or use someone like you to set it up and manage it?

Good question. Some people setup an adwords express campaign after talking to the google support line. For some businesses this might work well, however, to be able to use the full functionality and tailor a properly structured campaign, it's probably best to use an agency like us. We actively manage everything for you and liaise with Google.

What is a Google Business Listing and is it important?

Your Google Business Listing is a great way to show up on Google Maps and Search results when people are searching for businesses like yours. It has lots of different features and if setup and consistently maintained can help you stand out from the competition.

Should I do both Adwords and SEO?

Both AdWords and SEO have their advantages/disadvantages. Ideally, if you have the budget you could do both. AdWords (or PPC Pay Per Click) is good to show up on the front page of Google in a very short period of time. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a longer term strategy done in phases. With SEO you need to allow 6-12 months to gain traction.

Google Business Profile

Maximise your local search volume

call us now

Google Business Profile

Maximise your local search volume

call us now

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is a free listing provided by Google. It allows your business to show in local search results and is integrated with Google Maps, making it easier for customers to find you.

Every successful business knows that an effective online presence is essential to reach potential customers. Moreover, a Google Business Profile is one tool that can boost your digital visibility. With a Google Business Profile, you can control your business’s appearance on Google Search and Maps. It is where people will find your contact information, website, hours of operation, and more.

Hence, by optimising your Google Business Profile, you increase your chances of showing up in local search results. It means more traffic to your website and more customers walking through your door. A professional and detailed Google Business Profile is necessary for any business looking to increase its online visibility.

The Main Factors That Influence Rankings On Google Maps

The ranking on Google Maps is influenced by several key factors that Google uses to determine the most relevant and useful results for users. These factors include:

1. Relevance

Business Information: How well a business listing matches the user’s search query. Ensure that your Google Business Profile (GBP) profile is complete and includes detailed descriptions, categories, services, and keywords related to your business.
Keywords in Reviews: Reviews that include relevant keywords (such as products or services you offer) can help signal relevance to Google.

2. Proximity

User’s Location: Google prioritizes businesses that are geographically close to the user at the time of the search. Even if a business has more reviews or better ratings, a closer competitor may rank higher for a nearby user.
Service Area: If your business services a broader area, make sure your service area is accurately defined in your GBP listing.

3. Prominence

Online Presence: Prominence is based on how well-known or popular a business is online. It takes into account factors like:
Number of Reviews: Businesses with more reviews (especially high-quality reviews) tend to rank higher.
Overall Ratings: A high average star rating is beneficial.
Mentions Across the Web: Being mentioned in reputable websites, directories, or local news can boost your prominence.
Backlinks: Links to your business website from high-authority sites can increase prominence.
Local Citations: Listings in online directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or local business directories also contribute to prominence.

4. Review Quality and Quantity

Review Volume: A higher number of reviews generally leads to better rankings, but quality is just as important as quantity.
Star Rating: Businesses with consistently high ratings (4-5 stars) are more likely to rank higher.
Recency of Reviews: Fresh, recent reviews show that your business is active and relevant, which can positively impact rankings.
Review Responses: Regularly responding to reviews (both positive and negative) shows engagement and may boost visibility.

5. Google Business Profile (GBP) Optimization

Complete Profile: Having a fully optimized and detailed GBP profile is essential. Include up-to-date information such as:

– Business name

– Address

– Phone number (NAP consistency across all listings)

– Business hours

– Website URL

– Categories and services

- Photos and Videos: Regularly adding photos, videos, and posts about your business can improve engagement and rankings.

Attributes: Add relevant business attributes (like “Wheelchair Accessible,” “Outdoor Seating,” etc.) to improve relevance.

6. Engagement and User Activity

Customer Actions: The number of users interacting with your listing (clicks, calls, requests for directions) is a positive ranking signal.
Posting Regular Updates: Keeping your profile active with posts (e.g., promotions, new products/services, events) helps increase engagement.
Local Guides and User Contributions: Reviews and updates from Google’s Local Guides may carry more weight and help improve your ranking.

7. NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone Number)

Ensure that your business’s name, address, and phone number are consistent across all online platforms (GBP, website, social media, directories). Inconsistent information can harm your ranking.

8. Website and SEO

Website Optimization: A well-optimized website that links to your GBP profile helps improve your ranking. Ensure your website has relevant keywords and fast loading speeds.
Mobile Friendliness: As more users search on mobile devices, having a mobile-optimized website can positively impact your ranking.
Local SEO: Ensure your website is optimized for local SEO, including local keywords, content, and schema markup.

9. User Behaviour

Click-Through Rates (CTR): The number of clicks your listing receives from Google Maps and Search influences its ranking.
Driving Directions Requests: Frequent requests for driving directions to your business signal user interest and can boost your ranking.
Calls from Listing: More phone calls made directly from your GBP listing can improve its ranking.

By focusing on these factors and optimizing your GBP profile, website, and local SEO strategy, you can improve your rankings on Google Maps.

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Call Us Today

We will help you get the most from your Google Business Profile

What Are The Benefits Of A Google Business Profile?

When people are searching for a product or service, Google considers all the relevant local business profiles and shows a selection within the Maps. With the increase in mobile searches, your business profile is a fast way to be found. Therefore, allowing customers to access your website, call you, get directions to your business, and read reviews. All from one easy access point.

If you use all the features of the Business Profile, Google will favour you in the results.

How Do We Help You?

If you don’t have a Google Business Profile, we will create one for you and verify it by Google. Whether it’s a new listing or you already have one, we can update it. We add as much information as possible, using all the relevant features.

Some listings can be challenging to verify, or duplicates occur. We can help you if you’ve been caught in that process and you’re frustrated with the difficulty of it all.

If you don’t have time to manage your listing, we can also look after that for you. In consultation with you, we can write regular, relevant posts, which will improve the relevance of your listing. This keeps Google happy.

Google My Business for Sandhurst Roofing

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Verify Problematic Profiles

Let us take over the process if you’ve been trying to verify your profile and run out of patience. Yet, we’ve been able to help many others when the process has become too complicated.

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Create New Profiles

The creation and verification of your profile is the first step to growing your online presence with Google.

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Update Existing Profiles

If your profile has been active for a while and you’ve never done anything with it, we can update it and ensure it uses all the features. Thus, this will give you a better chance to show in the search results.

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Managing Profiles

For our clients who understand the significance of their profile, we manage it on an ongoing basis. Nonetheless, we ensure all the features are used to their advantage and any new features get added quickly. Yet, we write regular posts and update photos to keep the profile fresh and on Google’s radar.

     EXCELLENT  
     Based on 118 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Gabriella Schiftan 
 2024-09-13
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an online session with Karen to help me with my Google my Business listing. The sessions was great! Helpful and practical and even though it was only one session for one hour, I feel I got so much out of it! Thanks :)
  
 
       
   Denise Burbidge 
 2024-08-29
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had a couple of mentoring sessions with Karen which as a small business owner have been highly valuable in starting to learn more about understanding optimising website, GMB and begining to explore more about SEO. Karen shows great patients in helping me as a novice in this area whilst genorously sharing her expertise.
  
 
       
   Miguel Meirelles 
 2024-08-29
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rod from Think Local Digital has been able to help me work much better with the digital marketing of my business. Rod is knowledgeable, a good listener, a good teacher and a pleasure to work with. I would strongly recommend 'Think Local Digital' to anyone who wants to boost their business' online presence.
  
 
       
   Will Parkyn 
 2024-08-27
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Think Local Digital completely transformed my business website to a whole new level. Rod specifically supported my wants in a website, while also maintaining a high quality traffic flow to bring my business to a new level. Thank you Think Local Digital Team
  
 
       
   Ben Graham (GB Window Cleaning) 
 2024-08-20
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rod & Karen are great to work with. Carrie has also been excellent, great team all round. Easy to communicate with and have really helped with our advertising needs. Highly recommend!
  
 
       
   May Ponnara 
 2024-07-31
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Karen is amazing 🤩 I had three mentoring sessions with her and from the very first minute in the session, she got into the work straight away! checked out my business website’s performance, and see where we are at. For some reason, my business website was not appeared from the search, she guided me through the check lists which was amazing, not just fixing my issue but I learned so much about SEO, Google Search Console & Google Analytics, website strategy 📈  my business website is now popped up and can’t thanks enough to Karen :-) Your energy also lift me up 🙏
  
 
       
   Johanna Parker 
 2024-07-19
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rod and the team at Think Local Digital have been paramount in strengthening my business' Google presence and website functionality.

As a speaker and public speaking / confidence coach with a strong word-of-mouth client base, it has been easy to let important digital marketing efforts lapse or fall to the wayside. It has always been easier for me to get excited about working with people than working with SEO, particularly when the digital landscape changes so rapidly.

Within the first few minutes of our initial meeting, Rod had already devised several strategies that could significantly increase my online marketing success without taking any time, effort or energy away from my core client work. As a busy entrepreneur and new mum, this alone was worth its weight in gold!

Rod showed up to every one of our communications with a wealth of knowledge, a warm, joyful presence, a generous sharing of information and a clearly evident dedication to every one of Think Local Digital's clients. Nothing was ever too hard or too much bother and his team were always on standby to help - with some of the best response times I've ever seen in the digital marketing world.

Whether you've been in business for 20 minutes or 20 years, I feel confident that Think Local Digital are going to be a strong ally in your digital marketing efforts. I wish I'd been connected with them sooner.
  
 
       
   Valerie Chan 
 2024-07-15
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Have had dealings with Rod and can honestly vouch for his transparency, sincerity in helping my business grow and friendly approach that really makes the difference.

He takes the time to explain complex concepts in a clear and understandable way, and he's always happy to answer any questions I have. He genuinely cares about the success of my business, and it shows.
  
 
       
   Elisa raulings 
 2024-07-03
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As someone who is not tech-savvy, Think Local Digital made it easy for me to understand what it all means when it comes to building websites and optimising business performance, and what is important to focus on.  So much patience!  Thank you team.
  
 
       
   Emma Pitt 
 2024-04-11
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Think Local Digital have been taking care of our Google Ads and SEO for years now and have done an amazing job.