If you are trying to learn more about search engine optimization (SEO) for your small business website, you may have come across the terms “Google Local 3 Pack” or “Local Pack.”
If that’s left you confused and scratching your head, don’t worry. In this short article and quick video below, we break down the basic components of a Google search results page and talk about why the Google Local Three Pack is important for small business owners.
Google Local 3 Pack Changes
A new way of listing local businesses in Google search results was rolled out last year, changing the previous “local 7 pack”, where seven local businesses were featured in a particular city, to a more competitive “local 3 pack” listing.
Before the update and changes to Google local listings, more local businesses had a chance to squeeze in to the first search results page, even if they didn’t perform well organically by being able to show up in the old 7 pack.
See example of Google listing below (showing old 7 pack and new 3 pack)
How The Google Local 3 Pack Effects Your Business
4 Tips To Improve Your Local Pack Ranking
1. Fill Out Your Google My Business Page Correctly
A link to your Google My Business page is no longer available for searchers, but most of the info for your local business card (including your address, phone number, images, street view, etc.) is still taken mostly from that page.
P.S. Make sure you claim and update your Google My Business profile so you can rank in Google’s Local 3 Pack.
2. Earn Positive Google Reviews
Though no longer called Google reviews, the reviews from your Google My Business page are still used for local pack snippets. More to that, the business card itself includes not only your overall review rating, but the number of bad reviews you have as well.
3. Congruent NAP On Local Citation Websites
You need to ensure that you have your full NAP (name, address and phone number) on every page of your website, your local citations (Yelp, Yellow Pages, Manta, etc) and be 100% congruent. Plus adding and being congruent with your business hours makes a difference in rankings.
4. Build More Local Citation Authority Links
Link building within local SEO campaigns is incredibly important. Compared to standard SEO campaigns, local SEO relies much more on links from other local websites that are really relevant to your business.
This gives you that extra boost you need to rank in the Google Local 3 Pack!
If you focus on building a great website, having powerful and truly local citations/links, keep business details consistent with all your websites, do a great job of running your business and get great reviews, you will indeed build a thriving local business!
Getting hiring an agency to do SEO services on your business website will help you to obtain these local citation authority links.
Conclusion On Google Local 3Pack
