Introducing the “What, Where, Why, When, How, Are, Can, Who, Is, Do and Near Me” Google Data Studio Dashboard you never knew you needed! Keyword research has always formed a critical part of SEO, and it’s no slouch when it comes to local SEO, either. The searches people make to find your products and services can inform your Google My Business content, your FAQs, and beyond. You might have access to Google Search Console and Google Analytics and so forth, but when you put all this search data together, and analyze it with a sophisticated Data Studio dashboard, the insights you can gain are so much more valuable, as well as more easy to organize! It can be daunting for some to dive into GSC and find all those “what, where, why, when, how, etc.” type search queries, so that’s why I created a simple Data Studio dashboard to visualize the data in a much clearer format.
Here are just a few ways you can use the data in this dashboard:
Already a dab hand at Data Studio? Get stuck right in! You’ll find clear links to the dashboards below. Not a clue where to begin with Data Studio? No problem! I’ve written out a full tutorial that will explain how to use this powerful tool, and give you a crash course in Data Studio customization at the same time! How to Use the Google Data Studio Local Keyword Research DashboardThis tutorial is aimed at the beginner Local SEO, or the business owner who wants to dive into their site data a little bit more, but the dashboard can be used by beginner and advanced SEOs alike. For the Data Studio beginner, the difficult part is connecting it to your site data in GSC, but that’s what we’re going to go over in the tutorial below. There are two Data Studio reports for you to use: the first one you can just plug and play, and I am going to show you how to use the second one to make that one more business/client-specific by customizing it, then showing you how you can get more “local” by searching for location-specific search queries. Before We StartAs Data Studio is a Google product, the Google Account you use to create your report will have to be associated with the GSC accounts you want to apply these dashboards to. If you don’t have access to your GSC accounts, sort that out first and then come back here and you’ll be ready to go. Note: Both dashboards default to using the sample GSC query data provided by Google from its merchandise store (go have a look at the data; it’s quite interesting). Dashboard 1: The “What, Where, Why, How” and more… Query DashboardAs mentioned above, this first dashboard is just set up for plug and play. If you want deeper customization, head to Dashboard 2 further down the page. Simply click on the link below to open up the dashboard in Data Studio. This is what you will see: As explained above, you now see the filtered query data from the Google merchant store. Now all you have to do is select the data from your client(s) account, by choosing from the dropdown menu from “Default Data” . You should see all your GSC accounts associated with the Google account you are currently logged into. If you don’t see any data, you may need to switch accounts and try again. Select an account you want to use for this dashboard and the tables will populate to use the data from your client’s GSC account. Note: As it says on the dashboard below the tables, “If the above tables do not load/blank, there are no questions to show”. If the tables show no data, either your site isn’t answering user queries, or you may have to adjust the date range. Because these reports default to “This year to date,” you may want to change the start date to a date in the past. If you’re reading this in January, February, or March, then you may not have much data to show, so go back to the previous year like so: There are three pages to this report, and you can move between the three pages by using the navigation on the left of the report. Select any of the three pages and you’ll see that the tables will populate with your GSC client data. What about ‘Near Me’ searches?Because I do local SEO, I am always interested in the “near me” type searches so I’ve included this query on the second page. In the example below, a UK-based security company, we can see some of the opportunities that they could possibly focus their content towards by perhaps just a few tweaks to the site’s content. It’s worth noting that you can also sort the data by any metric, such as Impressions (default), Clicks, Site CTR (click-through rate) and Average Position. Below I’ve sorted the previous table by “Average Position”. Don’t forget that “near me” searches are going to be very proximity-focused, so these queries could be displaying your GMB listing in the Local Pack or Google Maps, and not your site in the search results. The post The Ultimate Google Data Studio Dashboard for Local Keyword Research and Content Creation appeared first on BrightLocal. via BrightLocal https://ift.tt/3kmod4y Check out more SEO posts onhttps://seouk41.blogspot.com/
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Most Google tools are designed to do different things, but two of their products can seem like they’re identical: Google Local Finder and Google Maps. Both give out local business information, which begs the question – how do they differ and when does a search favor one tool over the other? Why two tools?The reason for having two systems is actually pretty straightforward. It all comes back to user intent:
In short, Maps are for broader searches and Local Finder is for searches where there’s specific intent to find a certain type of local business. Google My Business Gold Product Expert Krystal Taing expands on this: “Typically when I begin searches in Maps, I am seeing a broader area of results being served as well as categories of businesses. The results in the Local Finder are usually more specific and display more detail about the businesses. The Maps-based results are delivered in a manner that shows users desire discovery and browsing. This is different from the Local Finder in that these results tend to be more absolute and about Google pushing pre-determined businesses and information to be evaluated by the user.” – Krystal Taing, Rio SEO. So which is which?Google Local Finder is part of Google local search, e.g. when someone types in “plumber in New York”, or “plumber near me”. It draws data from a range of sources including Google and third-party reviews, Google My Business listings, and business websites. It’s seen when a user performs a standard Google search and then clicks on one of the local pack results. When Google Local Finder is open, it gives the user a map with multiple local business listings. These results cover pre-determined businesses, along with relevant information to be evaluated by the user. Google Maps also draws its ranking data from Google My Business content. When it comes to rankings in Maps results, Google will place weight on the relevance, proximity, and prominence to the searcher. The overall appearance of Maps is similar to Local Finder with the primary difference being the area of coverage. Maps defaults to a much wider geographical area. Maps is more often used during mobile search (including voice searches), as Google Maps is the default mapping app on all Android phones and tablets. It can also be accessed via the ‘Maps’ tab in search on a desktop device. Search users opening Maps are more likely to be ‘discovering’ – browsing for an area, route, or landmark, without a set of specific business listings in mind. Ranking In Google Local Finder and MapsThe crucial first stepBefore you can think about improving your rankings in Maps and Local Finder, you’ll need to claim your free Google Local Business listing. Follow our complete guide to setting up your GMB profile to find out how. RankingsWith your GMB listing claimed you can now start to think about improving your Google local rankings across the two tools. It’s important to remember here that although Local Finder and Maps appear to be similar Google treats them differently due to the difference in user intent we mentioned earlier. This means that two visitors, each searching for the same type of business, in the same location, might be shown two very different sets of results. In fact, research has shown that results across Local Finder and Google Maps can differ from as little as 8% for local attractions to as much as 39% for women’s clothing stores. Tips to Rank in Google Local FinderDue to Local Finder’s close connection with Google’s ‘regular’ ranking factors, standard local SEO optimization tactics will help you to improve your Local Finder visibility. 1. Nurture your Google Business ProfileThe information that you share with Google plays a key role in where your local business will appear in search. Make sure that your GMB profile is optimized with the correct category selection, a comprehensive ‘about’ section, and accurate NAPs and Questions and Answers. 2. Focus on SEOAs mentioned, standard local SEO signals will help determine your rankings in Local Finder:
3. Your Digital First ImpressionSpend time thinking about what you want your ‘digital first impression’ to be and create a plan to achieve this. As well as getting you seen, this will get people clicking through to your listing and (hopefully) end up with them becoming a customer. Here are some things you can do:
Tips to Rank in Google MapsUnlike Google Local Finder, Google Maps is a standalone entity and not directly connected to search. Ranking well on Google Maps depends greatly on the standard pillars of local SEO (relevance, proximity, and prominence), perhaps even more so. Here are some tactics you can try to boost these key signals in Google Maps. 1. RelevanceMaps users want to know that your business is relevant to their needs. Look to add suitable attribute icons (such as ‘women-led’ or ‘Black-owned’) that display in Maps results, but not in Local Finder. You’ll also need to weed out duplicate listings which could contain inaccurate or contradictory information. 2. ProximityMaps users want to know that your business is close to their search area. Include a local phone number with area code and embed Google Maps on your website. Both of these factors work to verify your location and provide users with peace of mind that your business is where you say it is. 3. ProminenceProminence simply means high profile – Maps users want to know that a business is active and legitimate. You need to maintain an active presence online and posting regularly is the first step. Keep your business hours updated, post photographs of new products, and consider launching a virtual tour. Away from Google, securing placements in local media, building links from local sources, being active on social media, and authoring thought-leadership pieces or by-lined articles are also worth exploring. ConclusionWhile there’s no official confirmation that Google treats Google Local Finder and Google Maps differently when it comes to rankings, a causal search will show you that they do. Ranking highly on Local Finder doesn’t guarantee similar visibility in Maps and vice versa. To cover all bases of user intent, local businesses should plan to rank for both. The post Google Local Finder and Google Maps: What’s the Difference? appeared first on BrightLocal. via BrightLocal https://ift.tt/2U45vUC Check out more SEO posts onhttps://seouk41.blogspot.com/ Despite ongoing criticism of its data privacy practices, Facebook shows no signs of slowing down, with recent research (admittedly from Facebook itself) showing that its users are up 8% year over year. The same data shows that Facebook’s average daily scroll time is one hour, and that its active users numbered 2.85 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Add to this the report that two-thirds of users visit a local business’s Facebook page at least once a week, and the signs are clear: it’s as important as ever for marketers to know how to use Facebook for local businesses. However, one of the trickiest things to manage is the pace of change: Facebook just won’t stop updating its layout! But if you can keep on top of the updates, you’ll be in the right place at the right time when your clients wonder how effectively to use them. Consider the following: in 2019, Facebook first announced a new page layout design for businesses. They promised to de-emphasize the primary newsfeed and bring privacy and connection to the forefront. In the early summer of 2020, the new designs started to roll out. As of today, Facebook is still rolling out these changes, but the problem is that local businesses don’t understand how to effectively use the new layout. Which is where experts, like you, come in. Below are some advanced strategies to help optimize your client’s Facebook Page for maximum results. About the New Page ExperienceThrough Facebook pages, businesses can create a professional online presence, build relationships with their audience, and engage with them. A Facebook business page can be used the same way as a person’s profile. In addition, all old content will automatically transfer to the new Page, such as posts, videos, stories, and the Groups your business is a part of. Page followers will be moved to the new Page, as long as the follower likes and follows the page. What’s new for Facebook Business Pages?
Optimizing the New Page LayoutAt this point, you should already know who your client’s target audience is. Ask yourself: does the current setup of the page appeal to that audience? The cover photo, bio, and profile info that speaks to your client’s target audience reveals their professional attitude and is a crystal-clear signal for engagement. Have you ever heard of the question, “What’s your bumper sticker?” Rachel Miller, the founder and CEO of Moolah Marketer, teaches this strategy when consulting others on optimizing a Facebook page: Go to your client’s Facebook page and blink. In those 3 seconds, what did the page tell you? Do you know exactly what the business is about? If not, then the “bumper sticker” needs some optimization to draw the viewer’s attention and so they can remember what the business is about. One of the best ways to achieve this is with a cover and profile photo. There are two things to keep in mind when choosing a page photo. First, a very small version of this image will appear next to all posts. If the image is too detailed, the viewer will not be able to interpret the message. Second, this picture is going to appear right next to the title of your page.
A cover photo is a nice way to make your page more eye-catching. With a bigger image, you can show more about your client’s page. Ask yourself: What are your clients’ competitors doing? What information are they missing that you can provide on your client’s cover photo?
Update Contact DetailsThis is crucial for your success. Make sure to place your top keywords in the contact details and anywhere else you can appropriately add them. If needed, update the opening and closing times, contact details, and website URL. Be sure to double-check these details and to make sure they match what is on the website and in their Google My Business listing. Citation management is a core part of Local SEO. A Facebook page can play a huge role in verifying accurate data about a business with search engines like Google. If the business name, address, and phone number are incorrect, Google and other search engines will not recognize that the Facebook page is associated with the business. All that work and hard-earned SEO will be obsolete. To update details, go to your client’s page, and then select “edit details” at the bottom of the About section. Or log in to your Facebook Business Manager, select the page, scroll down from the menu on the left and select “edit info”. When updating the details, keep the following in mind:
Ask for Facebook ReviewsWith nearly two-thirds of Facebook Users checking a businesses page weekly, reviews are something to focus on. Facebook Reviews (previously known as Recommendations) are a living, breathing word-of-mouth beast. Consider discussing a reputation management strategy with your client about allowing others to view and leave reviews on their page. The best way to get authentic reviews on Facebook is to have the employee who worked most closely with the customer personally reach out and ask for a review when they have experienced a ‘reviewable moment’. A reviewable moment is when your company has gone over and above, and the customer has expressed how happy they are with your client’s service. The majority of people ask what to write in a review. So go the extra mile, take the lead, and give some guidance on how to leave a review that will answer a potential customer’s questions when they are reading your reviews. Use what we call the “2W Review Strategy.”
Provide your clients with a link to their Facebook page so they have that information handy and can easily access it when a reviewable moment takes place. Repurpose Facebook Page PhotosGoogle and Facebook are invisible to each other. In other words, search and social are completely different worlds. So, copy content from one world (Facebook) and post it to another (Google My Business). When a new client signs up with us, we immediately create a “win” for them by downloading all of their Facebook photos and adding them to Google My Business. Our Google My Business insights increase with photo views and starts us off with a small win. Here’s how to download photos from a Facebook business page:
How to upload photos to Google My Business:
In ConclusionWith a consistent strategy, Facebook can be used as an awareness monster, working to build rapport with current and potential customers. Keeping up with that can be challenging for online business owners. This is precisely why they need you, an expert, on their team, to help optimize their page on an ongoing basis. The post How to Use Facebook for Local Business Clients: Optimization, Management, and Beyond appeared first on BrightLocal. via BrightLocal https://ift.tt/3AHtkC9 Check out more SEO posts onhttps://seouk41.blogspot.com/ In the months since we launched Local Search Grid, we’ve been hard at work adding new functionality and updates to make it the de facto geo grid of choice. Alongside the usual, subtle quality-of-life updates you’re not supposed to notice, we’ve launched some big new features that take understanding and improving your local search performance to the next level. Here’s why there’s never been a better time to put your rankings on the map! New Key Metrics in Competitor TablesOne of the really neat things you can do with Local Search Grid is to track your competitors and find out why their Google My Business profiles might be winning in local SERPs. You can view the business category they’re using on GMB, see the number of reviews and their average review rating, and find out where you might have an angle to beat them. We’ve since added two key on-site SEO metrics to this table, number of backlinks and website Domain Authority, so competitor espionage can uncover more routes to winning than ever before!
Links: This is the number of links we’ve found on the internet that direct to the business’s website. Comparing the number of links between competitors allows you to understand where you might be able to beat them in organic and local search by building links back to your site. Authority: This number, out of 100, tells you how likely a business’s website is to rank in organic search, and is a good indicator of their overall SEO performance. If all of your competitors are beating you here, you might want to look at improving your website’s SEO. SERP ScreenshotsWe’ve all been there: you’re talking about rankings and your local SEO client says “well, when I looked on Google…” With this update you can now roll your eyes back to the front of your head and calmly present your client with proof of the true picture of their rankings positions. This much-sought-after update allows you to see what a Google Local Finder search looked like, in-browser, when our system performed it.
This will help you communicate rankings performance to skeptical clients and stakeholders by showing results in a format they’re familiar with. It also really helps inform and educate clients about local SEO! Visit the FAQ to find out more. Purchase AddonsRegularly running out of credits or tired of manually buying more? Good news! We’ve added bundles of Local Search Grid credits to the Addons page, making it easy to customize the number of credits you get every month.
Note: only BrightLocal Account Owners can view and purchase Addons. Archive Report RunsThere are many reasons why you might want to clear the decks in Local Search Grid. No longer have use for a report run but don’t want to delete it? Have a report run you’d rather not appear in your white-label report? Well, now you can archive individual report runs with ease, and access your Report History at any time from within Local Search Grid.
Visit the FAQ to find out more. Support for Enterprise PlansGreat news for agencies and brands managing 100+ locations: you can now set up custom plans for Local Search Grid credits! Speak with the Enterprise Team to get these set up in your custom plan, or read our launch article for more info. Local Search Grid Module Added to Brightlocal Academy CourseWant to get the most out of Local Search Grid? We’ve added a module focused on doing just this to our Level Up Your Local SEO with BrightLocal course in BrightLocal Academy.
In it you’ll learn how to use Local Search Grid to get the clearest picture of local rankings, alongisde using the powerful competitor benchmarking features to reveal where you should be focusing your ongoing optimization efforts! You can find out more and join BrightLocal Academy for free by following the relevant link below. If you’re an existing BrightLocal Academy member, enroll on the course, or if you’ve enrolled already, jump straight in and complete the Local Search Grid module (you don’t have to worry about re-taking the final exam again!). We hope you enjoy these improvements as we continue to make the most affordable geo grid on the market. Want a particular feature? Let us know in the comments below! The post What’s New in Local Search Grid? More Reasons to Put Your Rankings on the Map! appeared first on BrightLocal. via BrightLocal https://ift.tt/3ybyGDj Check out more SEO posts onhttps://seouk41.blogspot.com/ |
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