Get on the First Page of a Google Search

Do you want to get on the first page of a Google search?

Recently, my business coach challenged me to try various search terms on Google and see how my business showed up.

I started with “social media coach” and then tried other related search terms that Google suggested. When I typed in “professional social media coach near me,” my business was on the first page of Google. Wow!

Only a few other independently owned businesses came up higher than I did. Other higher listings were from places like Thumbtack and Yelp.

In this blog post, I share some reasons why I believe my business is on the first page of the Google search mentioned above.

Completing My Google Business Profile and Posting Updates Regularly

Have you created a Google Business Profile? If so, have you fully populated it? Do you post updates on at least a weekly basis? Are you adding photos of yourself and others to the photos section?

Many people create a Google Business Profile (GBP) and then ignore it. You need to share fresh content on your GBP, just as you do on your website. Whenever I share a post on LinkedIn and Facebook, I put that same info into an update on my GBP.

Make sure you avoid using stock photography and instead include pictures of yourself and others.

Check out the terrific article “13 Google My Business Optimizations to Rank Higher in Local Search” for more tips.

Getting Regular Positive Google Reviews

Do you ask for a Google review after you provide a service (or product) to a client? If not, start making this request regularly.

Make it easier for them to write this review by:

• Going to your GBP and clicking on the button in the Reviews section that says: “Get More Reviews.” Copy the link provided and send it to your clients in an invoice, email, or other ways you communicate with them.
• Suggesting they replicate their LinkedIn recommendation of you in their Google review.
• Responding to each Google review as soon as possible after it’s given. Use key words relating to your services in your response.

Blogging Weekly on My Website

Blogging weekly can be a challenge. I’ve been blogging weekly on my website since 2012, the year before I started my business. This commitment has paid off.

Bringing this fresh content to my website increases the chance that my business will rank higher in a Google search. Be sure your blog posts tie to your brand and add value to the reader. Engage the services of an editor, as I do, to help make tweaks to improve your posts.

In addition, be sure to periodically revamp the text on your website, so it’s up to date and reflects your current offerings.

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 55 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially LinkedIn and Facebook. She works with business owners, business development professionals, business consultants, job seekers, and more – ranging from entrepreneurs to people in large corporations. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.