Unraveling Custom Signals: Your Secret Weapon for Local SEO and Google Maps
Hello folks! It’s Matthew M. here, from the DM4PM team. We’re back with another deep dive into the world of SEO – and this time, we’re focusing on our local businesses and bringing the spotlight on Custom Signals.
Now, if you’ve ever asked yourself: “How do I get my business to rank higher on Google Maps?”, or “What can I do to improve my local SEO strategy?”, then Custom Signals might just be the game-changer you’re looking for.
What are Custom Signals?
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s break down what Custom Signals really are. In the simplest terms, Custom Signals are personalized indicators that search engines like Google use to determine how relevant and authoritative your business is in a specific local area. These might include information like your business hours, customer reviews, proximity, and the relevancy of your services to the user’s search query.
The magic of Custom Signals is their flexibility and specificity. You can customize these signals to more accurately represent your business, thereby improving your visibility to local searches. This is like a red carpet invitation for the search engines to rank your business higher!
Why are Custom Signals a Must-Have in Your Local SEO Strategy?
- Boost Visibility: With Custom Signals, you can stand out in local searches by highlighting what makes your business unique. Think about it as creating a tailored suit for your business that fits just right in the local search landscape.
- Enhance Relevance: Search engines aim to provide users with the most relevant results. By customizing your signals, you’re feeding search engines with detailed information about your business, increasing your chances of appearing in local searches that matter most to you.
- Improve Rankings on Google Maps: You’ve probably noticed that when you search for a service or a product on Google, a small map appears, showing businesses in the local area. Custom Signals can boost your ranking in this section, often called the “Local Pack” or “Map Pack”.
How to Make Custom Signals Work for You
Ready to harness the power of Custom Signals? Here are a few steps you can take:
- Keep Your Information Up-to-Date: Make sure that your business information (like your hours of operation, contact information, and address) is up-to-date across all platforms.
- Encourage Customer Reviews: Positive customer reviews can be a strong Custom Signal. Encourage your customers to leave reviews and respond to them promptly and professionally.
- Optimize for Relevant Keywords: Use keywords in your business description that locals might use to find your services. Remember, relevance is key!
- Add Photos: Photos not only make your listing more appealing, but they also act as Custom Signals. Add photos of your products, services, or location to enhance your listing.
- Utilize Local Business Schema: Implementing Local Business Schema on your website helps Google understand more about your business, boosting your Custom Signals.
So there you have it, folks! Custom Signals, when used correctly, can be a game-changer for your local SEO strategy and Google Maps ranking. It’s all about making it easy for search engines to understand your business and deliver it to those who are searching for what you offer. It’s high time to take control of your online visibility and make your business shine in local searches.
Until next time, keep climbing the SEO ladder, and remember, we at DM4PM are always here to lend a helping hand.
Best,
Matthew M.
Matthew Miller
Owner of DM4PM – Digital Marketing For Property Management
As a property management company owner, I’ve experienced the challenge of managing sales, marketing, and daily tasks. That’s why I created DM4PM.com—a tailored sales and marketing system for property managers like you.