Following is a detailed 7 chapter report covering everything your business needs to know to make sure it ranks as high as possible on Google Maps.

After enjoying all the work that is ahead, I’d like you to share this work in 3 ways.

1. Social Media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and wherever else you may find yourself connected.
2. eMailing the link to other local business professionals that you believe would enjoy the immense value that is coming.
3. Word of mouth remains by far one of the most valuable ways of communication even in today’s digital world. Feel free to share my work in whatever way you prefer.

I’ve pre-invested a lot of time and attention into this content for you and find myself gratefully appreciative for whatever measures you are able to take in returning the favor.

Thanks in advance.

HOT TIP:  Using the Moz findings links that follow you can quickly and easily navigate to various different places within this document to help speed up the process of your getting to the exact place you want to be at with as little time and trouble as possible.

Given that your business is online, I believe you are serious about achieving your ultimate success.  In relation to that fact, please bookmark this resource as I believe you will be wanting to refer back to it frequently.

If there is anything like this available for you to increase the number of clients and customers I do not know about it.  All facts are based on the latest details as of 2017 from Moz as it relates to local SEO best practices.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

This report covers more than 7000 words or over 20 pages of solid content because of the deep dive that I have taken on this topic on your behalf.  The different sections will include the following sections based on the findings from Moz as of 2017.

1. Google My Business – 19.01% weight
2. External Links – 17.31% weight
3. On-Page Optimization – 13.81% weight
4. Citations – 13.31% weight
5. Client Reviews – 13.13% weight
6. Behavioral – 10.17% weight
7. Social Signals – 3.53% weight
8. Final Thoughts

Based on the above information the coming sections of this report will be broken down as follows.

1. Google My Business Points to Be Aware of (Google My Business – 19.01%)
2. Uncovering Secrets to Securing Local External Links (External Links – 17.31%)
3. Factors of Import for Local Businesses (On-Page Optimization – 13.81%)
4. The Truth About Citations in 2017 (Citations – 13.31%)
5. How to Secure Client Reviews that Matter (Client Reviews – 13.13%)
6. Understanding How to Work With Behavioral Signals (Behavioral – 10.17%)
7. Why Social Media Signals Really Don’t Matter (Social Signals – 3.53%)
8. Final Thoughts About Local SEO Strategies for Your Business

Let’s get started.

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CHAPTER 1

Google My Business Points to Be Aware of (19.01%)

Define Google My Business?

It is the footprint of your business directly within Google’s platform which allows you the ability to rank within Google Maps properties.  It is weighted with the largest percentage of import when it comes to assessing local SEO factors that determine where your dentist office will rank.  Your ultimate goal should be to rank as #1 within the snack pack of Google Maps.

Define Google’s Snack Pack?

This is the section of Google search that is specifically tailored to local businesses like yours.  While your potential clients can click the “more places” link under the 3 top listed snack pack references, it is much better for your office to show in the top 3 results because a larger percentage of clients will stop after referencing this information.

How Do You Correctly Optimize Your Google My Business Page?

The very first thing you need to do is claim the listing for your business.  You can do so by visiting Google’s “Google My Business” page, selecting “START NOW” and going through the process of claiming your business.  You can also call 1-844-491-9665 if you have any questions or concerns about the process of claiming your listing.

NOTE:  It can take 3 weeks to one month to receive the verification postcard.  Be sure not to mistake it for advertising from Google or you will be required to go through the process of requesting verification again.

Once done here are 5 essential points to consider when optimizing your Google My Business page Click To Tweet.

Correct Identification

You may be tempted to add a keyword to your listing that is not an actual part of the name for your business.

Don’t do it.

Instead, use the exact name of your business for your Google My Business listing.  Be sure that your address information is precise as well as your phone number.  Google likes to see accurate consistency and will reward you nicely as more and more of your properties report the same findings for your NAP.

What is a NAP?

In terms of Google My Business with your company, this stands for your business name, address, and phone number.  If you use abbreviations on one platform but not elsewhere this can actually be seen as NAP inaccuracy in the eyes of Google.

Local Numbers

Speaking of phone numbers with your local business listing you want to be sure to use a local area code with your listing.  It really only makes sense.

For example, if you are trying to do business in the 702 area code and have a 509 prefix you lose credibility for being a local business in the eyes of your viewers.  When it comes to Google that becomes even more so the case as Google uses the local area code as verification that you are really working within that geographical area.

Select Category

Another area to optimize correctly within your Google My Business listing is the category that your company falls under.  Take some time to get as precise as possible in this selection process as Google rewards projects that correctly list the category selection that they should be associated with.

Here is the complete list of Google My Business categories for you to peruse in order to determine where your company would find its best fit.

Quality Images

This is a newer section of Google My Business and one that is of great importance in your optimization process.  Taking and sharing quality images of your office and associated workers help greatly in Google seeing your office as having great import and value within the process of gauging how your Google My Business page should be ranked.

Google shares all about how to gain the best value from images shared on this page that talks about adding local business photos to your Google My Business listing.

Encourage Reviews

Reviews are an important part of your Google My Business Optimization.  There are critical factors to keep in mind when securing reviews for your Google My Business listing.  Here is what Google has to say about reviews on their Google My Business listing.

1. In short, you want to be sure you have a verified listing as we covered above.
2. Reply to reviews as they are left. Far too many people ignore reviews which is a strike against your company ranking in the snack pack of Google Maps.
3. Be sure to request reviews from your customers and clients, especially those that have been happy with your service.

SUMMING UP GOOGLE MY BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION

Having correctly completed all the above details you will have taken your Google My Business listing a long way down the right road to success.  Given that this part of the puzzle holds almost 20% of your ranking factor it is certainly not one that you want to mess up if your dental practice is to be found at the top of the snack pack in Google Maps.

However, if you leave your efforts here your competition is bound to have the upper edge on you.  That’s why you want to ensure that you follow key strategies to generate local external links for your dental office.  Yes, I said links rather than citations and you’ll find out exactly why as we move further through this guide.

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CHAPTER 2

Uncovering Secrets to Securing Local External Links (17.31%)

It used to be that citations were far more important for ranking high in Google Maps with your local business.  While they still remain critically important in the overall scheme of things local links have actually taken on a greater level of value in today’s marketplace.

It really makes sense.

Citation directories are not necessarily local to your geographical location while local links would be.  Given that your company is focused on ranking locally making sure that you have local links within your ranking strategy is highly important.

Following are 5 ways to secure local links Click To Tweet.  You don’t need to implement all of the ideas listed but rather choose those that make the most sense to your business and move forward accordingly.

1. Be Newsworthy

Doing something to be found in the news can get you links from news reporting services as well as those interested in your industry.  You can catch the eye of the news by doing things differently within your practice and making sure to take about it or being controversial on a topic of import so that others take note and notice of you.  There are many ways for your company to become a part of the news including those that follow in the rest of these 7 ideas.  Opt into what makes the most sense for you and move forward accordingly.  Your local links will follow if you do this correctly.

2.  Local Business Awards

Cities make themselves known by awarding businesses within with special recognition.  Participate in these events in order to secure local links from recognized authorities that Google will love to find as part of your package.

How do you find these type of properties?

Google Search

Here are 4 searches to consider using with your business.

• “Nominate a business”+”STATE NAME” (Example: “Nominate a business”+”Las Vegas”)
  “City Name”+”Nominate a business” (Example: “Las Vegas”+”Nominate a business”)
  “best of STATE or CITY”+”nominate” (Example: “Las Vegas”+”nominate”)
  “best BUSINESS TYPE”+”nominate”+”city” (Example: “best dentist”+”nominate”+”Las Vegas”)

3.  Sponsorship

Remember my thoughts on becoming newsworthy above?

This is one way to do it.

As you sponsor a local cause the news media will be able to find out about it and capitalize upon the same.  Returning to Google this can best be done by searching any of the following three strings.

• “city inurl:sponsors” (Example: Las Vegas inurl:sponsors)
• “city inurl:sponsor” (Example: Las Vegas inurl:sponsor)
• “city intitle:sponsors” (Example: Las Vegas intitle:sponsors)

4. Guides

Create them.  Especially ones that target your local area.

Do an awesome job in your local area guide and then go beyond even that.

Once done, share your guide in digital format with those that would be interested in sharing it on their site.  The more people that share your guide with a link back to your site the better coverage you end up securing.

Guides could include things like:

1. Best Local Area Restaurants or Motels
2. Best Local Area Chiropractors
3. Best (you name it)

Once your guide is created be sure to contact those that have been listed in it requesting a link in order back to your site as a way of saying thanks for the recognition.  You might want to include that their listing is the only temporary based on receiving a link for the work done even though doing this can become somewhat cumbersome to manage and certainly isn’t necessary for the overall scheme of things.

The beautiful thing about guides that you create is that you can list your business’s name as the source for where the work comes from thus gaining additional exposure for you in the process.

NOTE:  For those that opt into posting you guide be sure that they also include a link back to your business in order for ultimate results to take place from this method.

5. Reciprocity

As a local area business, it is quite likely that you have non-competing business associates within the local area that are not part of your specific niche.

For example, if you were a Dentist, you may know of a local area Chiropractor or Physical Therapist that would swap a link with you.

Do it.

Swapping links with others that are not considered your direct competitors in the local area can be like gold for you.  In this case, it is far more important that they are in the same general location than that they are in the same niche.

Perhaps you could create a resource of all your most valuable business associates within the local area.  Let them know that they are part of your list and request that the link back to you as a result.

The logic in this approach would be that if they fail to do so you would be able to go find someone else to do their specific type of business with you.  This, of course, isn’t necessary but can tip the odds in your favor that you will be able to secure the local links that you are after.

SUMMING UP SECRETS TO SECURING LOCAL LINKS

While these 5 strategies can build power into your local link building strategies for your company, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to securing local links for your practice.  Do you have other ideas that have worked for you in building local links?

Please share your successes in the comments below.

Here are 4 more invaluable resources for you to review to gain even more ideas on how to build local links Click To Tweet for your business.

1. 7 Easy Local Link Building Tactics You Should Be Using – Whitespark
2. 6 strategies to build links for your small business website in 2016 – Search Engine Land
3. How to Find Opportunities for Local Link Building – Whitespark
4. 5 Sources of High-Quality Links for Local SEO – Entrepreneur

And while we are on the topic of link building I would also recommend reading 5 Reasons You Should Link Out to Others From Your Website from MOZ.  It is an entirely different slant on the whole topic of link building but one which your local business would be well advised to keep in mind.

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CHAPTER 3

On-Page Optimization Factors of Import for Local Businesses (13.81%)

So far we have been working outside of your business.  However, your job is certainly not considered complete without taking ample time to turn inside and address some issues that will help you to rank better.  Here are 5 to pay particular attention to as you continue to climb your way to the top of Google Maps snack pack results.

Let’s understand a couple of terms before we get started.

DEFINE OFF-PAGE:  Everything that you do to promote a given page (typically your website) which IS NOT part of your website.  For example, when you secure local links by following the ideas identified in the last chapter you are creating off-page optimization power.

DEFINE ON-PAGE:  Everything that you do to promote a given page (typically your website) which IS part of your website.  This would include everything that we are about to talk about in this chapter of this report.

Meta Titles & Descriptions

When speaking of more globally targeted projects meta details are not as important as they once were.  However, for local SEO projects like yours, these details are still critically important to your success.

DEFINE META:  Data that appears in Google and other search engines which identifies the title and description of the page within your project that is being listed in the search engine directory.

4 Things to keep in mind when creating meta tags for local SEO Click To Tweet include:

1. Use as much of the character space as possible within both title and description attributes.  Do not exceed 60 characters in the title or 200 characters in the description.  Here is a free word count tool that I personally use on a frequent base.  NOTE:  It also counts characters.
2. Include the name of the city within which you operate your dental practice both in the title and description attributes of your metadata details.  I’d also recommend including your core zip code and phone number within the description attribute.
3. Make sure that the keyword being targeted for any given page (I recommend only targeting 1 per page) is listed as close to the front of the meta title as possible.  It should also appear within the meta description details but not necessarily at the front.
4. Create metadata details that compel people to click for more information.  Google does pay attention to your click-through rate (CTR) while in the process of determining where your rankings will appear within their Google Maps properties.

DEFINE CLICK-THROUGH RATE (CTR):  How prone are people to clicking your listing compared to those of your competitors when your listings appear in their search engine results.  As your listing secure more clicks than those of your competitors Google will reward your success by ranking your dental practice in higher positions than those of your competitors even if all other factors considered were exactly the same.

Use Geotargeting Parameters

I’ve already mentioned the importance of geotargeting your metadata details in the above section.  I would take this a step further within the content created by making sure that the content of your website includes the name of the city where your dental office is located as well as neighboring towns and locations where you are also known to secure patients from.

Geotargeting should also be highly considered when performing work on web locations that are outside of your core website and related properties.

Such locations may include but not be limited to:

• Google My Business properties
• Local linking opportunities
• Social Media channels
• Citation directories
• Video creatives

As well as many more ideas that have yet to be identified.  Basically, if you are allowed to list your city within a given area on the web as it relates to your business, I recommend making sure to do so.

Create Invaluable Easy Reads

While everything within this section has revolved around ensuring that you identify the location and services provided by your company it is also important to ensure that your content is easy to read on the Web.  Creating Web copy is quite different from other types of content.

Here are just some of the things to keep in mind.

• Use headings and sub-headings.
• Don’t use long paragraphs.
• Use bullets and numbering.
• Don’t use difficult language.
• Use internal links between pages.
• Don’t use the exact same words in all links.
• Use multiple navigation strategies.

How to write copy for the Web

Include Schema Markup Language

Another point of concern for your business comes in the form of Schema Markup Language which should appear on every page of your site while normally being in the bottom footer section of your project.

DEFINE SCHEMA MARKUP LANGUAGE: Code optimized for Google that identifies the core details for your dentist office.

As discussed earlier, those core details are also known as your NAP or name, address and phone number for your practice.  It is critical that these details be exactly the same as those listed on your Google My Business page as well as related citations and where ever else you are identifying the NAP details of your company.  Getting this piece of the puzzle incorrect at any level can make the difference between a high ranking listing on the snack packs and no listing at all.

These schema details check tool will help you to identify if your scheme details have been created and implemented correctly.  You may also be interested in checking out Google’s Data Highlighter which will allow you to accomplish these activities simply by clicking your mouse rather than having to deal with code.

When creating you schema details here are things to keep in mind.

1. Correctly list the name of your office without stuffing keywords.
2. Make sure your address and phone are exactly the same on all properties.
3. List other ways to contact your practice Ithan phone if available. (IE fax or eMail)
4. Identify the operating hours exactly as they are for your dental practice.
5. Include your business logo and description within your schema data details.
6. Provide the details for the type of business you have (“@type”: “Dentist”)
7. Use “same as” to identify other connected properties (ie Facebook, local directories)

For an in-depth dive into any of the above schema data details please see 10 On Page Local SEO Factors That Will Improve Your Local Business Ranking by SEOpressor.

Don’t Forget The Physical Map

I’ve separated this final topic for on-page optimization factors from the rest of your schema details that your company needs to take action on for a couple of reasons.

First, I recommend creating a separate page on your site that hosts your corresponding map.  I don’t necessarily recommend that the map is on every page though I have seen some people do mini-maps which appear on the footer of every page.  It’s your choice.

Perhaps you would want to do a mini-map and have an individual page which holds a larger version of the directions to your location.  I’d recommend calling the page something like “driving directions” and making it part of your navigation for patients seeking the easiest options for getting to your business.

HOT TIP:  There are a variety of different maps available depending on what you believe would be of most import to your customers and clients.  3 of the available options include parking map, transit map & venue map alternatives.  Why not go the extra mile with your practice and offer all of them in a drop-down navigation option under “directions.”

SUMMING UP IMPORTANT ON-PAGE LOCAL SEO FACTORS

As should be clear by now many important factors combine together to generate your success when it comes to on-page ranking factors for your company.  Making sure that each is handled correctly is critical given the weight that this section of your entire marketing strategy is given according to Moz.

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CHAPTER 4

The Truth About Citations in 2017 (13.31%)

In years gone by citations were the essential ingredient of a local SEO ranking package.  There were other elements just as there is today, but citations were a major piece of the puzzle.  As you can see from what we have gone over so far it is far more complicated today to keep everything balanced so that your dental practice gains the position on the Web that you desire and it deserves.

DEFINE CITATIONS: Listings outside your main website that contain NAP (defined earlier) details about your dental business and its associated offerings.

However, this does not mean that you should ignore citations in favor of other factors today.  Doing so will cost you a weighted average of almost 14%.

Therefore, I recommend doing citations as part of the root of your entire process.  You have 4 options when it comes to creating citations Click To Tweet.

Option 1: Manual

This is the most time-consuming option where you take charge of the entire event and manually go about placing your citations in the various directories according to where you do and do not want to be listed.

As long as you have the capital to work with, I personally would not opt for this option as you can invest your time and talent in other directions with far more profitable results.

HOT TIP:  In chapter 2 we spoke about local listings.  Here is an article from Moz in partnership with Whitespark that identifies which areas you should be sure to secure citations at based on the city in which your business is located at.

Option 2: Fiverr

In the past, I have on occasion opted into using Fiverr to secure the citations that I am after.

DEFINE FIVERR: It is a very affordable network of Freelancers wherein you are able to have specific tasks completed for nominal charges that start at $5 and move upward in expense accordingly.

The problem with Fiverr is that not all Freelancers are created equal and as a result, the work completed can be less than ideal if you opt into the wrong associate.  When it comes to a trustable source for citation creation, in my book, the answer has always been VirtualGirl2010.  Not only does she do a quality job but her rates are extremely reasonable.

Option 3:

There are a variety of citation directories you can use to secure the citations you are seeking.  6 of the more popular options when it comes to citation directories include:

1. Moz Local: Local business listings and citation management made easy.
2. Yext: Manage your digital knowledge in the cloud and sync it to over 100 services.
3. BrightLocal: Track Rankings, Citations, Reviews, Analytics & Google My Business data via their location dashboard.
4. Whitespark: Advance your local search, improve rankings, and get more business.
5. Advice Local: Show up in local search results using local business listing management software and solutions.
6. Synup: Manage all your listings, reviews and keyword rankings all on one platform.

There is no need to use more than one of the above options when creating your citations.  I recommend reviewing the alternatives and deciding which one makes the best sense for you to use.

SUMMING UP IMPORTANCE OF CITATIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

As you can see, there are a variety of ways to secure citations.  Where you do it and how you go about doing it can make the difference between achieving success verse realizing failure with your citation initiatives.

Before we leave this section it should be noted that cleaning up your citations is of as much import as creating new ones.  Here is an article from Forbes that teaches you how to clean up your misguided or outdated citations without incurring an expense.

How To Analyze And Clean Up Your Online Local Citations For Free

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CHAPTER 5

How to Secure Client Reviews that Matter (13.13%)

Up to this point, we’ve been talking about what you yourself can do to increase your ranking results for your business within the arena of Google Maps.  Did you know that your customers can become an asset working for you and your rankings as they climb forward on Google’s local search directory results?

They can.

It happens through the power of reviews that your patients leave for you on Google and in other locations on the Web.  Reviews from people that have received dental treatments from you help you to stand out more clearly in search results.

How To Get Reviews

One of the biggest reasons that companies fail to secure reviews is found in the fact that they simply don’t ask for people to leave them.  Here are 3 ways to ask for your Google reviews and get them from customers and clients that have received services from you.

1. Make it easy to get to your review locations by building in navigation from your website to the directories you have opted into using.
2. Include links to your review site locations in your email signature files with a note of encouragement to leave an honest review.
3. Include details for how to leave reviews for you on your business card distributions.

Or if all else fails why not simply ask for the review.  You could do so with IPad in hand so that your customer or client would have the added convenience of being able to do the review right there in the office before they depart for places unknown.

HOT TIP:  Correctly crafted reviews can find their place in the rankings of Google organic results which in turn do have the ability of potentially securing new customers and clients for your practice.

Where To Get Reviews

Most everyone understands that Google provides the ability for people to leave Google Reviews.  What you may not realize is that there are many more places to secure reviews at than just Google.

Here are 8 places to grow client reviews Click To Tweet from your community.:

1. Facebook
2. Yelp
3. BBB
4. Angie’s List
5. ConsumerAffairs
6. Judy’s Book
7. PlanetRate

What To Do With Negative Reviews

Occasionally you may find yourself facing an undesired negative review.  While no business wants to receive one of these it is important to understand that they can and do happen.  You should also realize that they are not the end of the world or your business especially if you handle them correctly.

First, do not ignore such reviews.  While it is important for you to respond to all reviews it is even more critical that you acknowledge and address negative ones.

Perhaps the person who left the review has a valid complaint.  If not, you can always flag such reviews and have a Google moderator assess the situation.  In some cases, negative reviews can be removed.

If such is not your fortune does not respond in a negative or unfriendly manner but simply speak the truth as you understand it with as much finesse as possible.  Doing so will show others that see this review that you are a real company that truly cares about the services you provide for the customers and clients you work with.  The end result is that they are empowered to see both sides of the coin and make an intelligent decision as to which side of the issue they themselves will elect to side with.

It is true, negative reviews can cause you to lose clients.  However, how you handle negative reviews especially if you do it correctly can win those lost opportunities back again for your business.

SUMMING UP SECURING LOCAL CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Reviews account for more than 13% of your weighted average when creating your game plan for ranking at the top of Google’s snack pack results for local business listings.  Therefore, avoiding the growth of customer reviews you receive is a really bad idea.  Especially if a negative review shows up.

You generally don’t need to ask for those.

That’s why you want to build a strong foundation of positive reviews.  Not only do they assist in your ability to climb higher in the local rankings but should a negative review arise you’ve got more than enough positive reviews to offset its damage if and only if you’ve already been working on growing a number of reviews that you have received.

HOT TIP:  It is a bad idea to gain numerous reviews all at once.  Google doesn’t see this as natural.  Far more value is achieved in the eyes of Google if the reviews you receive happen over time.  This is, even more, the case if you respond to them in a timely fashion no matter if they are positive or negative reviews.

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CHAPTER 6

Understanding How to Work With Behavioral Signals (10.17%)

As long as you’ve followed all the advice listed above you should be well on the way to achieving top results on Google’s snack pack.  However, we are not quite done yet.

I consider this piece to be kin to putting a crown on the tooth.  In some ways, we’ve covered details within this section by addressing issues within other points discussed above.  However, there is some specific take away’s within this chapter that remains important considerations for you to ponder.

DEFINE BEHAVIORAL SIGNALS:  Actions taken by viewers as it relates to your listing, web properties and other associated details.

Here are 6 ways to increase positive behavioral signals Click To Tweet from your business.

Searcher’s Location

In times past location was dependent on the center of the town for which your local business is located in.  Such is not the case anymore.  Inline with Google’s push to become more and more viewer focused today the concern is targeted to the location of the searcher when they are attempting to identify your business as the service they are wanting to secure.

While there isn’t a great deal that you can do to influence this factor it does become proof positive for why it is critical for you to correctly address every other element involved with ranking your local business at the top of Google Maps.

Branded Searches

How many times is your business name searched for on Google?  The more that Google sees your local business as a brand that is referenced within multiple locations and various occasions the stronger your behavioral patterns will become.

Any local business can be a local business.

Becoming a brand name that people know love and trust is an entirely different matter that takes time to attain.  If you have become a brand in your local area, Google will very much pay attention to this and reward you accordingly when it comes to ranking this aspect of your behavioral signal results.

Click Through Rate (CTR)

When people find your listing in search how likely are they to click your details verse someone else’s?  How you create your title and description details for your local practice is of major import when it comes to these behavioral pattern details.

How to write meta descriptions for SEO (with good and bad examples)

Knowledge Panel Interactions

Many people do not know about knowledge panel interactions within your Google search listings.  This panel appears on the right side of the search listings and includes all the pertinent details about you and your dental practice.  The behavioral factor here is tied to how interactive people are with the panel when it shows up in their search results.

Mobile Click to Call

When people use mobile methods of looking for your dental practice they are provided with an option for clicking your number in order to make the call the need to place to your dental office.  The more behavioral patterns that show this taking place from the Google search counsel the stronger your related listing will become.

To that end, make sure your number is clear, visible and especially accurate in order to benefit from these actions that viewers can and will take as long as you have done your part correctly.

Here are 2 articles that will help enhance your efforts when it comes to mobile click to call activities.

1. 3 Essential Mobile Ad Extensions to Get More Clicks from Mobile Devices
2. Google News: Click-to-Call Phone Numbers in Organic Mobile SERPs

Securing Driving Directions

When your patient’s behavior is shown with the response of clicking to get directions for where your dental office is located Google ranks these activities.  The more people that are looking for your location (especially within your local area) the more that you will do well when it comes to these ranking factors.

One way to get people to click on driving directions more is to add it to your website.  Here is a very good article on exactly how to do that.

Add Google Maps Driving Directions to Your Website

SUMMING UP UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS

As you can see there are many factors that combine together in order to determine what type of behavioral rating you will be ranked with.  While this section boasts just over 10% of the weighted value of your local SEO marketing efforts, I recommend taking time to do everything possible in order to secure the results you are seeking within Google Maps rankings.  After all, doing so can make the difference between someone converting into a new dental patient or not.

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CHAPTER 7

Why Social Media Signals Really Don’t Matter (3.53%)

At this point, we have taken a close look at every piece of the equation to ranking your dental practice high on Google Maps minus one.

Social Media.

Of all the areas identified within the Moz report, this section receives about 4% of your weighted average compared to other sections that can receive up to almost 20%. That’s why I really don’t spend a great deal of time in this section for the purposes of ranking at the top of Google’s snack pack.

However, while Google certainly does own a large share of attention when it comes to securing an audience of people needing dental work social media in its own right cannot be ignored. That’s why you can find my social media footprints in these seven following areas.

1. Twitter (My favorite)
2. Facebook (Who doesn’t have an account here?)
3. Instagram (Newer but hugely powerful)
4. YouTube (Specializing in Videos)
5. Pinterest (Targeting images)
6. Google (The home of all things Google)

NOTE: While you will find my footprint in these various areas, keeping up with the communication on all platforms is sometimes a bit overwhelming. That’s why I prefer to focus my communication on Twitter and take it offline otherwise.

4 Reasons You Want To Use Social Media Click To Tweet

1. Increased Exposure

No matter if you believe that social signals don’t affect rankings as Matt Cutts has suggested, or if you can make a case for them; social media channels can in there own right bring you dental patients that you otherwise would not have had. This is even truer when you consider the power of hashtags.

2. Profiles Rank

While what you do on social media channels may or may not rank your social media profiles themselves do rank. This appears to be true especially as it relates to Google’s network which does not come as a big surprise in my book. In fact, when it comes to how your social media profiles rank you will find that they are typically at the top of results for information that identifies the what of who you are.

3. Search Engines

This entire article targets Google as a search engine and how to rank at the top of their snack pack for your business. However, given that your customers and clients can look up details from their social media channels these various platforms can become search engines in their own right. Consider YouTube for example, who hasn’t searched for a key video about a given topic? Within that entire event, YouTube is acting as your search engine of choice.

4. Things Change

When it comes to Google that appears to be an understatement. Just because Google does not appear to be paying attention to social signals doesn’t mean that they never will. If we wake up tomorrow and Google has changed their mind, which can and does happen, you don’t want your competitor to leave you in the dust because of the newest local business algorithm update.

SUMMING UP WHY SOCIAL MEDIA SIGNALS LACK VALUE

As you can see, there is a good argument for why you want your company to be participating in social media. Even though it is a very small piece of the Google Maps ranking process, it certainly holds import in and of its own right. When you opened the office doors for your dental practice it was and is all about location. On the web, nothing has changed, it is also about patients finding you showing up in key locations where they are hanging out. For this reason, and this reason alone, I recommend considering being active in social media networking.

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Conclusion

Final Thoughts About Local SEO Strategies for Your Business

Well, there you have it. A complete battle plan for increasing your Google Map rankings with your company. The ultimate goal, of course, would be to find your business listed within Google’s 3 snack pack listings. Even better to be #1. If you follow everything outlined above the likely probability of that happening is huge. I do it for the businesses that I work with all the time.

With that said, what’s left?

You mean other than for a lot of work ahead for someone to do?

Well, how about a little surprise to tie everything off?

If you haven’t figured out by now I make it my mission to over deliver in all of the work that I do. So what if I were to reference 15 top articles of interest to local businesses everywhere Click To Tweet that want to rank as #1 in Google’s snack pack?

That’s what follows.

Right after that section is where I would enjoy hearing from you. Your thoughts, comments and/or questions. I find it a real pleasure to hear from and respond to my readers, especially when they invest their time so deeply as to reach this part in my report.

Thanks.

Without further ado, I now present you with the ultimate list of high-quality articles every local business owner should consider reading.

1. 9 Local SEO Experts Share One Secret to their Success
2. The 16 Secrets Of Guerrilla Local SEO
3. 15 Simple Tips For Improving Local SEO
4. Secret Weapon of Effective Local SEO: Wordsmithing
5. Local SEO & Beyond: Ranking Your Local Business in 2017
6. The Most Comprehensive Guide to Local SEO Ever: 2017 Edition
7. 4 things to note when optimizing for local SEO in 2017
8. 8 Local SEO Tips for a Killer Local Search Strategy
9. 20 Local SEO Tips for 2017 to Boost Your Rankings in Google Local Search
10. Local SEO – 14 Actionable Tips To Rank Higher Locally In 2017
11. 2017 Local Search Ranking Factors
12. The 2017 Local SEO Forecast: 10 Predictions According to Mozzers
13. The Ultimate Guide To Local SEO
14. Local SEO: The Definitive Guide 2017
15. Local SEO in 2017 – How to Rank Higher in Local Search
16. Just released: 2017 Local Search Ranking Factors survey results
17. 2017 Local SEO Ranking Factors Survey (Moz Update)
18. Local SEO: Search Ranking Factors 2017
19. 4 Most Important Ranking Factors, According to SEO Industry Studies
20. 2017 Local Search Ranking Factors: Proximity to Searcher is Number One
21. 10 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Know
22. 26 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Try

For those that see the above as 22 instead of 15, I know.  It’s just another way I strive to over-deliver on all commitments that I make.

HOT TIP:  If you are aware of a local SEO article that you believe should be on the above list please contact me and I will be more than pleased to consider adding it as an additional reference.

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