How Mobile Searches Create New Contracting Customers

Google is continuously finding ways to make the mobile search easier for its users. Businesses can benefit from their technology and reach new customers through Google's local 3 pack.
 
Map packs make up a significant chunk of all first page SERPs in a wide range of businesses.

​How can your business benefit from SEO and this function of search results? Let's get to it.

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Breaking Down the Local 3 Pack
Google places a 3-point list of businesses on the first page of SERPs when a user searches for a local business in their area. These search queries that bring up local 3 packs might include "best plumbers in Atlanta," "doughnut shops near me," or "cheap oil changes in my area" among other business and services users are searching for.

​The top results in a local pack show a business's operation hours, ratings, and address information. When you click on a listing, you'll see the about section and icon buttons for directions, save a listing, and the company website.

The best Google pages for businesses have the same information across their digital presence, including affiliated websites, social media, local business directories, and third-party review sites such as Yelp. If everything is consistent, your business is seen as authoritative with Google, making your business more searchable and higher ranked.

​How Mobile Optimization Affects Business Search Results

Businesses trying to connect with new customers should focus on mobile optimization. Research shows that results on Google's first page get 67 percent of clicks. Local 3 packs take up a majority of the screen space on mobile devices, making it prime real estate for businesses.

Local packs generally serve those in a particular industry (plumbing service, contractors, medical care, etc.) and local businesses (tanning salons, restaurants, flower shops, etc.).
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Marketers and business owners need to optimize their business website for mobile search success. Businesses with good site traffic, high click rates, comments and reviews, and an updated name, address, and phone number do well on the local 3 pack ranking system.

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​Tips for Contracting New Customers Through Optimization

Any business seeking to contract new customers will need to have their website AMP compliant and mobile-friendly.
When your website is optimized for mobile, your chances are improved for making it onto a local 3 pack. Mobile users don't have the time to scroll, so creating an optimized search experience for them is your best bet for connecting with new customers. Here's how you can accomplish this:
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Google My Business 
Claim and verify ownership if you've found your business on Google My Business page listings. If you don't see it, you'll need to register your business.

Verify Business
Address After you've claimed or registered your business, you'll be sent a verification code within 3 to 5 days. You'll enter that code into your account to verify its address. Maybe you already have Google Analytics and Search Console for your business? You can verify the address with the associated Gmail address.

Optimize Your Business Listing
Fill out your "About" section as this will enhance your business's visibility. Make your business presence known to mobile users with these Google tips.
Optimize Website for Local SearchMobile users want search results that are relevant to their search query, are within the desired distance of their location, and businesses with prominence in the community. Think of these three factors when you're optimizing your website for local searches:

1. Relevance
2. Distance
3. Prominence

​Making Google Work for You

Local 3 packs can help your business grow. Monitor your local pack information to confirm everything is up to date. If something is not correct, click the "suggest an edit" button to make changes.
Google Ads are making their way to the top of local packs. Businesses can pay a standard cost-per-click (CPC) fee to be first on the local 3 pack, and you can identify them with the green "Ad" box to the left of the rating. This means that only two slots can be filled for organic search results.
You can achieve an organic listing through site optimization and Google My Business. It'll help you save money in the long-term. Does your website need a mobile-friendly boost?
See our website design services and let us show you how we can improve your business's SEO and visibility. ​