Google listing - searching for a business in a location

[Poppylong]

Apologies, I already posted this question but cant find it.

What effects a local/map listing in google please? Example, there is a basic business, with no reviews, that appears higher than mine. Is it because they are physically closer to the town. i.e. 'shoe shops in brighton'. My business is in brighton, but about 1.5 miles away from the city centre.
Many thanks, Poppy

 

[antropy]

Good question, I don't know the answer but I would be interested to find out.

I guess you searched Google for an answer as well and couldn't see much?

Paul.

 

[fisicx]

Location is everything. Then comes reviews.

But you can help things along by making sure your profile is complete with products and services listed all linking to your website.

 

[Poppylong]

thank you. so distance to town could be a factor? if so, that makes sense!

 

[fisicx]

thank you. so distance to town could be a factor? if so, that makes sense!

If your post code doesn’t show you being in the middle of Brighton then you will lose out to those who are. But get zillions of reviews all saying you are the best in Brighton then things could change.

 

[Poppylong]

great, thanks so much. appreciate the time.

 

[ryan_masslight]

Apologies, I already posted this question but cant find it.

What effects a local/map listing in google please? Example, there is a basic business, with no reviews, that appears higher than mine. Is it because they are physically closer to the town. i.e. 'shoe shops in brighton'. My business is in brighton, but about 1.5 miles away from the city centre.
Many thanks, Poppy

Have you put as much relevant information as possible on your listing? Photos, accurate location, links to website, etc. can all help your ranking. Could also help to ask friends, family, or regular customers to leave a positive review to help you out. Make sure to engage with positive reviews too.

To really help yourself get to the top you could bid on Google Ads and target terms like "shoe shops in brighton"

 

[Paul Carmen]

There is a clear hierarchy of data/signals for Google Map and Business Profile rankings. Location being just one of them; although very important, as local means local, outside of 5 to 10 miles away you're unlikely to show up at all unless there are virtually no "more local" competitors.

The key ranking factors are the quality of your overall listing; e.g.

• the right main category and other relevant categories listed, good images, description, services listed etc.
• A proper NAP (name, address, phone number) that's consistent with other local citations (the quality and number of local citations is important too)
• matching social listings and website NAP
• a physical local presence/as opposed to area business
• good quality positive (and number of) reviews on the GMB and other sites, plus responses, especially to negative reviews

There are other signals, but Google closely guard the relevance, but most of them are related to your website setup too; e.g. local relevant content, keywords and services, plus structured markup of your NAP/location, events services etc on your site.