Local SEO for small businesses: how to show up in "near me" searches

How Google picks local results

Google says local results are based mainly on three things:

• Relevance: how well your profile and website match what was searched.
• Distance: how far you are from the person searching, or from the place they named.
• Prominence: how well known and trusted your business is, judged from reviews, links, mentions and your website.

You cannot change distance, but you can work on relevance and prominence.

Relevance: help Google understand you

1. Choose the most specific primary category in your Google Business Profile, and add secondary categories that apply.
2. List every service separately on your website and profile, in the words customers search.
3. Mention your city and the areas you serve naturally in your website text.
4. Keep your business name, address and phone number exactly the same on your website, Google profile and every directory.

Prominence: show Google you are trusted

1. Collect Google reviews steadily, and reply to them. (See how to get more reviews.)
2. Get listed in reputable directories and on your trade association's website, linking to your website.
3. Ask suppliers, partners and local organisations you work with to link to your website.
4. Keep your website fast and useful on mobile, and keep it updated.

What not to do

• Do not add keywords or city names to your business name on Google (for example "Sharma AC Repair Best in Delhi"). It breaks Google's guidelines and can get your profile suspended.
• Do not use a virtual office or a fake address to appear in another area.
• Do not buy reviews or links.

How your Indiexis page helps

Every Indiexis page includes your details in the structured-data format search engines read (schema.org LocalBusiness), a map, your services listed separately, and a link from our directory and category pages. Add your page link to your Google Business Profile so the two support each other. Get your page.