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A Digital Marketer’s Guide To Google Image Carousels

…n a sudden influx of carousels across many social media platforms? Image carousels are a 4-5 slideshow of impactful content, with some images and videos peppered in, helping businesses communicate to their buyers in an effective visual format. A study of over 22 million Instagram carousel posts showed that posts with carousels were the most successful. Carousels help businesses establish themselves on Instagram as they boost organic search traffic. But, image carousels are not just limited to ……nail, so the user picks your video from the rest in the carousel. Time-stamp the video and add relevant markers and captions to make it easier for Google to understand what your video covers. SEO experts also note that you should check the usual length for high-ranking videos for a particular topic. Interesting Finds Interesting Finds are relevant listicle articles that appear as an interactive carousel list when a user makes a query for which there are blog posts around the topic, such as…

Pop-up retailer drives search visibility, rankings & in-store traffic for 1,400 short-season locations

…Pop-up retailer drives search visibility, rankings & in-store traffic for 1,400 short-season locations Tools used Local Pages Local Listings Local Reporting The pop-up store industry, once considered little more than a fun trend, has grown to $10 billion in annual sales and may well be the future of a large segment of retail. Brands looking to offer unique shopping experiences are using stores-within-stores, kiosks and even mobile retail units to provide shoppers …

Local Search Metrics: What Should I Be Measuring to Determine Performance?

…Your brand’s local search performance is key in converting online searchers to real-world customers. And when it comes to how people discover nearby solutions to their needs, Google dominates with 70% of all desktop queries and commands 93% of mobile.  As we return to in-person shopping experiences, consumers are looking to spend money in their own communities. Supporting local businesses has become an important value to many; in fact, Google reported a 20,000% increase year-over-year in “…

Mastering local holiday marketing: Top strategies for seasonal success in 2023

…ration: 45 minutes To help you master your local marketing this holiday season and beyond.  Christmas deals in July, end-of-summer sales, and back-to-school shopping are all evidence the old adage “Christmas shopping begins earlier each year” is strikingly true. To keep up with customer demand, businesses too are more eager than ever to prepare their holiday marketing campaigns well ahead of the season. If you’re already in the midst of holiday planning despite the cold be……the midst of holiday planning despite the cold being months away, you’re in good company.  To help you master your local marketing this holiday season, we’ve assembled a panel of industry experts for a live webinar. They will discuss the trends shaping the 2023 holidays, consumption predictions, and research-backed strategies. These valuable insights will help your business delight customers ahead of the holiday season and beyond.   We’ll also share our top strategies …

Revolutionizing the Hyperlocal Search Experience [Webinar Recap]

…mportance that was brought up in the webinar was mobile. Mobile has become an increasingly popular search tool over the past year, as consumers were spending more time indoors. During the webinar, we asked the audience what percentage of their website traffic is entering via mobile. 62% of the respondents indicated that over half their traffic enters via a mobile device, further highlighting the importance of optimizing your mobile presence.  Consumers are also interested in whether you offe……The past year has caused massive disruptions in your local marketing strategies worldwide due to shifts in consumer shopping behavior, making local marketer’s jobs increasingly difficult and the search ecosystem more complex. Due to the pandemic, new and existing local marketing challenges are affecting your customer’s path to purchase. In turn, your business must create new commerce opportunities that benefit both in-store and online channels and cater to hyperlocal search queries. Recentl…

National beverage brand makes a big splash in local markets across the US

…National beverage brand makes a big splash in local markets across the US Tools used Local Pages Local Listings A major beverage brand needed to get in front of residential and commercial buyers thirsty for beverage delivery services across the nation. The company turned to Rio SEO to boost its online visibility in over 3,500 local markets, achieving #1 rankings in organic search results for over 75% of its pages. The challenge Our case study subject delivers a…

Google’s New Ranking Algorithm: What to Expect in 2021

…Google is once again making changes to its ranking algorithm “for a better web”. Starting in 2021, a user’s experience with a web page will play a crucial role in determining page ranking. In other words, if Google perceives a user’s interaction with a web page is poor, the page ranking will drop. The announcement comes on the heels of the years of building up towards improving the overall experience consumers have on the web, with first adding mobile optimization in April 2015, followed……ost your local landing pages. If you’re looking to revamp your local landing pages to better prepare for the Google ranking algorithm update, we are here to help. Get in touch with our local search experts today, to learn what you can improve upon to gear up for your most profitable year yet come 2021.…

How to boost local search visibility with unique hyperlocal web copy

…How to boost local search visibility with unique hyperlocal web copy Content Who are the local customers reading your web copy? Does word count matter for local SEO performance? What does hyperlocal content look like? Does it matter where hyperlocal copy appears on a local landing page? Will Google penalize AI-generated copy? Key takeaways You’ve done everything technically possible to optimize your local landing page, ensuring: local landing p…

How to use organic SEO to rank in Google’s local 3-Pack

…How to use organic SEO to rank in Google’s local 3-Pack As a marketer, the great mystery behind Google’s consistent algorithm updates can be both frustrating and intriguing at the same time. Google typically announces large algorithm updates in advance which, in turn, prompts discussion and speculation among SEOs and website owners. This can lead to misinformation, confusion, and false guidance. It’s crucial to pinpoint how these updates impact your organic search …

New Google Business Profile Identity Attributes Now Available

…nesses Schwartz also noticed in October that a new purple heart label to indicate that a business is women-led seemed to be in testing.  “I wonder if this is all some type of weird bug?” he asked. It doesn’t seem to be a bug, as Google does have an initiative dedicated to helping women grow their businesses. On its Grow With Google page for women-led businesses, Google says, “Identify your business as owned, led, or founded by women by adding a ‘Women-Led’ attribute to your Bu……Google is constantly testing and adding new features to help local searchers find the best answer to their questions or need. And, while you don’t need to stay on top of every single update, some can directly impact your business and should be on your radar. New and updated Google Business Profile (GBP) identity attributes are one of those important features to stay current on. These attributes are displayed prominently on your business listing in Search and Maps, helping local customers quic…… has been removed. New Attributes for LGBTQ+ Friendly & Transgender Safespace Although Google announced the launch of LGTBQ+ Friendly and Transgender Safespace attributes in 2018, local marketing experts found they became far more noticeable recently. BrightLocal’s Claire Carlisle mentioned she had never seen the attribute before it was mentioned by Andrew Bullimore in October 2021: This look like a new @GoogleMyBiz attribute to me here in the UK - Transgender safe space - @GuideTwit @cl…

Local Search Discussion: COVID-19’s Impact On Consumer Behavior

…Over the past year, we’ve seen first-hand from our own client data the dramatic and long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these changes are due to drastic shifts in consumer behavior and consumer needs evolving beyond shopping at traditional brick-and-mortar locations.  To more narrowly define the true impact of the pandemic on the local search landscape, we analyzed over 200,000 Google My Business (GMB) listings across seven diverse verticals from February 2020 to December ……hat outlines our key findings. When reviewing the data, we saw the dramatic effects of the pandemic, and not a single industry was left unaffected. In a recent webinar we hosted, our panel of search experts discussed those insights as well as key takeaways to empower local marketers to leverage these changes for better economic performance amid uncertain times. This local search discussion included Mick Wilson, VP of Client Success at Rio SEO, Marshall Nyman, an Account Direct at Rio SEO, and R…

How Local Businesses Can Optimize for ‘People Also Ask’ Search Results on Google

The People Also Ask (PAA) box is a prominent set of results in Google Search that helps searchers understand what questions others ask about any given topic. This search result type appears across a wide swath of searchers; in fact, 43% of search queries now show a PAA box. JR Oakes, senior director of technical SEO research at Locomotive, recently shared a fascinating study in Search Engine Land on how Google chooses People Also Ask (PAA) results and its impact on brands.  In the column, we……The People Also Ask (PAA) box is a prominent set of results in Google Search that helps searchers understand what questions others ask about any given topic. This search result type appears across a wide swath of searchers; in fact, 43% of search queries now show a PAA box. JR Oakes, senior director of technical SEO research at Locomotive, recently shared a fascinating study in Search Engine Land on how Google chooses People Also Ask (PAA) results and its impact on brands.  In the column, we…

Unlocking the Voice of your Customer: How analyzing customer feedback drives business success

…es to a successful customer experience (CX) program, learn the business benefits of statistical text analysis, and share tips to help you get started. The power of unsolicited customer feedback Asking customers to share their feedback in reviews and surveys is essential, but there’s a great deal of insight to glean from unsolicited feedback. In fact, Gartner estimates that up to 80% of an organization’s information assets are unstructured content. The customer issues you're unaware ……Unlocking the Voice of your Customer: How analyzing customer feedback drives business success The challenges of unstructured data scattered across numerous platforms, websites, and channels – and the sheer volume of it – may be daunting, but tapping into this wealth of insights offers massive opportunities for brands. If your sentiment analysis only leaves you with an understanding of whether feedback is positive or negative, it’s time to apply a more statistical appr…

How financial services brands are using online reviews to build trust

…unities to improve customer service and operations. Embrace them! Invite customers to leave reviews and make the process seamless for them. Sixty-eight percent of customers will leave a review if you ask. However, to avoid going astray of GMB’s review solicitation guidelines, you should never offer money or merchandise in exchange for a review. Businesses are not permitted to: Offer incentives in exchange for reviews Author positive reviews in an attempt to boost their star rating Attempt to ……Trade war concerns, uncertainty over Federal Reserve rate policy, mid-year market panic, and a sharp decline in the Bloomberg U.S. Financial Conditions Index kept financial services brands and their customers on their toes throughout 2019. Even before COVID-19 hit, experts had predicted that the financial services industry was in for a similarly bumpy ride in 2020. Now with the economy upside down and consumers scrambling to find solutions and information they can trust, financial services brand……mid-year market panic, and a sharp decline in the Bloomberg U.S. Financial Conditions Index kept financial services brands and their customers on their toes throughout 2019. Even before COVID-19 hit, experts had predicted that the financial services industry was in for a similarly bumpy ride in 2020. Now with the economy upside down and consumers scrambling to find solutions and information they can trust, financial services brands have a pivotal role to play. Trust, communication, and reputatio…

How to measure customer experience like a pro

…ncorporate into your brand's CXM program and strategy. Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT): A measurement of customer satisfaction with a product, service, or interaction that typically involves asking customers to rate their experience, often through surveys or feedback forms. Net Promoter Score (NPS): A metric that gauges the likelihood of customers recommending a brand to others. Customers are asked to rate their likelihood from 0 to 10 on a scale. NPS classifies respondents as promo……How to measure customer experience like a pro Content The role of social listening in capturing real-time feedback Using customer journey mapping to understand the end-to-end experience The importance of data-driven analytics in extracting actionable insights CX metrics you need to know Activating customer experience insights across brand locations In an increasingly competitive business landscape where customer loyalty and satisfaction are key differen…… brands. Measuring the customer experience at a local level is a multidimensional undertaking that goes beyond traditional metrics like sales figures and customer feedback forms. Today's marketing experts must employ a comprehensive range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, harnessing the power of advanced technologies and data analytics to gain accurate insights into the local customer experience. In this post, we will delve into the intricacies of measuring local customer expe…

How to Select the Right Local SEO Services for Your Business

…ts that, if used correctly, can help you rank higher on Google and drive engaged traffic to a landing page of your choice. In addition, local online communities can reach you directly in real-time to ask questions, message, and leave reviews of your business on the Google listing. It’s crucial to respond to these customer interactions in a timely manner since it not only helps your business rank on Google but helps build brand awareness and trust and grows your audience. Not only is prioritiz……You’ve probably heard of local search optimization (SEO) services, but what exactly do they entail? How does local SEO help your business? If you want to get found online by local customers looking for products and services like yours, you need to be visible on Google, Bing, and other major search engines. Figuring out the right strategies and methods to improve the online visibility of all of your business locations can be challenging. A knowledgeable enterprise local SEO company can help yo……reating and promoting local content across channels, measuring and reporting on local performance, and more. Local SEO services can augment the marketing resources you have in-house. They can provide experts to analyze your results and share back actionable insights. In addition, they can help create a scalable strategy and the technology infrastructure required to undertake local optimization and marketing across hundreds or thousands of locations.  Why does my business need local SEO services…

How To Edit Your Google Business Profile [Guest Post]

…e menu, you can edit your business information, hours, add and delete products and services and upload photos and videos. Promote In the promote section you can check your GBP insights, add photos, ask customers for reviews, create posts, and more. Customers In the customers' menu you can see and reply to business reviews, see the incoming calls, read and reply to messages/chat if you have that feature turned on, and (finally!) answer questions that are asked in the Q&A section. You w……“How To Edit Your Google Business Profile” is a guest post by Sherry Bonelli. Getting your local business to rank high on Google Search and Maps organically continues to be one of the best ways for local businesses to get more website visits, calls, customers to their physical location– and more sales. And ranking in the Local Pack, Local Finder, and on Google Maps are the prized spots that local businesses strive for. The only way to get in those coveted spots is for qualified local busi…

How to Ace Your Restaurant’s Local Marketing Strategy [Guest Post]

…pular dishes, and your reservations link. It’s also critical to you keep all your information updated and complete across all your local listings to build trust and credibility with your customers. Ask for Reviews Ask your most loyal customers for an honest review. Highly reviewed restaurants are most viewed in Google than the restaurants that don’t prioritize their reputation management. You can read more about the power of reviews in the restaurant industry here. Set Up Google Alerts Googl……"How to Ace Your Restaurant's Local Marketing Strategy" is a guest post by Envato, the world's leading marketplace and community for creative assets and creative people. The way restaurants once operated has radically changed over the last few years as technology continues to advance. An industry that once thrived on word of mouth marketing now must turn to other promotional methods to entice customers to dine with them. However, many restaurant owners are unaware of the plethora of digital opp……ll. Videos are also a powerful, often under-utilized tool that can help you drive conversions. Top publishers are ramping up Instagram video posts by 90-100% each year. A few other Instagram tips our experts recommend include: Post at a regular cadence Interact with those who comment on your posts Create unique stories and videos Follow and support similar businesses 2.  Create a Website A professionally polished website is something all restaurant brands must-have. Customers have com…

Keyword strategy made simple: How to rank higher and convert more searchers

…A multi-ethnic group of nursing students are attending class together. They are seated at a long table in a classroom. The individuals are working in pairs on a project. The two women seated closest to the camera are being assisted by their female professor who is showing them something on a digital tablet. WEBINAR Keyword strategy made simple: How to rank higher and convert more searchers On-demand webinarDuration: 60 minutes About this webinar To help you develop a smart ……minutes About this webinar To help you develop a smart SEO strategy that incorporates the relevant keywords your business should be targeting, we’ve assembled a panel of content and SEO experts. Your SEO strategy isn’t reaching its full potential if you’re not targeting the right keywords. The right keywords help surface your business higher on the search engine results pages and reach your target customers. But, these keywords are more than just your brand name or words tha…

How Multi-Location Brands Can Prepare for the Google Algorithm Page Experience Update

…  Multi-location brands be warned, the latest Google algorithm page experience update will go into effect in a few short months. If your brand isn’t equipped with the tools and knowledge to make the updates necessary, you risk being penalized and worse, missing out on opportunities to be seen by searchers. As Google strives to continuously improve the user experience for searchers, the algorithm update will now take into consideration a variety of user signals deemed indicators of a pe…