SEO for Architects and Interior Designers: One Simple Way to Improve Your Local Search Results Ranking
Quick tip: Claim and maintain your Google Business Profile.
Why? Because it’s easy, it’s free, and it improves your business’ performance in local search rankings.
I’m a firm believer in the power of organic SEO, so when a client asks me how they might improve their ranking, I’m all about the brainstorm. I’ve worked and taken courses with SEO genius Meg Casebolt of Love @ First Search where I’ve learned a variety of strategies and tactics, but one of the easiest ways to improve your local Google search results ranking is also the simplest — take ownership of your Google Business Profile.
With 58% of companies still not optimizing for local search, this simple task is an opportunity to get a leg up on your competition.
How to Improve Your Online Presence
According to BrightLocal, 81% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses. So even if all of your business comes from referrals, it’s likely that prospective clients will still search your business name for additional reviews and articles. If you’ve claimed your Google Business listing, they’ll also see the glowing reviews that your clients have left for you along with the standard results for your business name.
Then there’s the “discovery search” which is when you search Google for a business category instead of a specific business name. In 2019 discovery searches accounted for 84% of all searches. If folks in your area are searching “architects near me” or “interior designers near me” you increase your odds of showing up in those local search results and getting discovered by a new client.
Get Google On Your Side
Google likes to be the best and in order to do that, they need to have the most accurate information. With that in mind, they make it easy for businesses to add their information to Google Maps, Search, and other Google Properties through their Google Business Profile.
How easy? Here’s a link to a step-by-step guide in their Help Center.
On this page, titled “Improve Your Local Ranking on Google” they clearly state that, “Local results favor the most relevant results for each search. Businesses with complete and accurate information are easier to match with the right searches.” It’s that simple.
If your business isn’t showing up for relevant searches in your area, this is one of the quickest ways to rectify that. Add or claim your profile, input as much data as possible, and verify your location (there’s a help page for that too). You can make your listing more engaging and appealing by adding images and videos (which don’t have to be of your location, they can also be of your team or the work you’ve done), monitoring and responding to reviews, and even adding Google Posts (think of this as a blog post for your listing).
Taking the time to adjust how your business shows up on a search engine results page might seem like one more item to add to your never-ending marketing to-do list, but I can promise you that it will be worth it. Also, if we’ve already created your brand voice guide or website, you can simply copy the wording from there!
Google is going to keep rolling out new business features that can help you succeed; by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile now, you’ll be ahead of the game.
So, what are you waiting for? Go claim that profile!
BONUS TIPS FOR READING TO THE BOTTOM
Once you claim your profile, Google will send you a report each month letting you know how your Business profile is performing. The report includes how people searched (direct/using your business name or discovery/by category), actions they took (website visits, calls, etc.), where they viewed it (on Search or Maps), and more.
Don’t want to share your street address? Not a problem! Google lets service-based businesses like myself list a service area so that your business can still show up locally without compromising your personal information. No more excuses, go claim your listing.