Google recently updated its document on local ranking signals. The addition of ‘prominence’ to the document would suggest that businesses which have been focusing on quality SEO work are subsequently more likely to benefit from a boost in local search rankings. In this blog I will elaborate on what this really means and what your firm should be focusing on going forward for great local search rankings.
To take it back to basics, when we talk about local search results, it’s in reference to the ‘Snack Pack’ of 3 results which appear on a map below paid results and just above organic rankings. Last year, we posted about the Snack Pack changes which saw local results cut drastically from 7 to just 3. We discussed the importance of a Google+ local page, a consistent NAP (name, address and phone number), on-page factors and google reviews. These strategies are still vital and shouldn’t be disregarded. However, from the recent update, it would appear that if you have been focusing solely on great quality SEO work (such as writing rich content, link building, video content etc.) google may reward your site with a better ranking in local search, not just in organic rankings. This is a consequence of traditional rankings signals now having a bigger impact on local search results.
What Does Prominence Mean for Local SEO?
Prominence refers to how much information google has on your business. How prominent is your law firm in the online world? The more listings, great google reviews, articles and links you have will provide Google with more information about your services and your reputation. The more well-known Google deems your business to be, the more likely it is to appear in the all-important Snack Pack. This new update indicates that a site’s position in web results organically is now more influential to site’s ranking in local search. In a nutshell, SEO best practices (which you can read about in Gavin’s SEO tips for 2016 blog) are now more important than ever, for organic search results and now local too.
Local SEO Experts for Law Firms
Are you wondering about the benefits of local SEO for law firms? Or how your law firm could be ranking better in local search results? Do you need to re-think your firm’s overall online strategy? We are online marketing experts for the legal sector and would love to chat to you about generating more business. Call 0333 130 5070 and ask for Chris.
