Local Search Focus

According to a recent report, Google has begun offering local advertisers a new fee-based profile enhancement opportunity. The Google My Business (GMB) dashboard now has a new option for Local Service Ad (LSA) users to pay $50 per month for a profile upgrade, which includes a “Google Guaranteed” badge.

Benefits reportedly available with the upgrade include an LSA call tracking number to help advertisers to better identify leads and prospects. While this new option appears to be part of Google’s growing trend toward (more…)

The New Year is often regarded as a fresh start – a clean slate. With this new start, it is important to reflect on the past year(s) and make a business plan for the coming year. What was successful for your business? What should not be replicated? These are questions that should be considered at the start. Here are some tips to begin the year off on the right foot:

Revisit goals from the prior year

Look back at goals that had been set during the prior year(s). Were they realistic? How many did your business actually accomplish? Should any goals be set again? These questions will help you set realistic goals for this new year. A lot can be learned from reflecting on your past business successes and failures. However, do not dwell on failures that cannot be resolved/mitigated.

Set new goals

Goals should be attainable and beneficial to your local business. You can take (more…)

It’s hard to believe that the 2019 holiday season is already here; Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Hanukkah & Christmas are all right around the corner. In fact, I don’t think I’m remotely ready to be thinking about it. Though in full transparency, I’ve started watching Hallmark Christmas & I’m not mad at it. Between the predictable plots and mistletoe shots in every scene, it makes me happy!

Anyways, I digress. At Upright Communications, we want to help you celebrate the holidays & what better way than doing it through Google My Business. Make sure your GMB listing is working for your business by taking advantage of its various features. Check out a few ways you can optimize your (more…)

Google Analytics (GA) is one of the most useful tools out there to understand your business’s digital performance, no matter your website’s size. GA allows users to track their website visitors, measuring traffic across multiple online channels over time. For local businesses though, it can be especially difficult to know which metrics to watch.

Research found that 92% of consumers visit local businesses’ websites when deciding which business to use, so it’s never been more important for local businesses to be monitoring how their website is performing.

However, SEO professionals for local businesses know it can be (more…)

With the rise in online shopping and easy access to tons of product reviews, your local business needs a distinctive digital presence to stay competitive. Whether this means having a website with online selling, multiple social media platforms, and/or great online customer service, these can all attribute to your customers’ perception of your brand. To be competitive, you need to be able to provide various online strategies but at a higher standard than your competitors. Let us give you a helpful guide!

Invest In Your Website

An attractive website is always a great idea to keep your site’s users interested – lower (more…)

Just when we were getting used to the newest way in which Google displayed Google My Business (GMB) listings on mobile devices, it’s changing again. Are you ready!? 😉

Though this new update varies from business to business that we’ve tested and researched, there is a definite look to it that’s noted across the board.

First, you’ll see a bar across the top that has Posts, Reviews, About (other GMB listing features) & it stays with you as you scroll down the page, regardless of how far you go down. Even when you reach organic results, you’ll still be able to access the GMB bar at the top. (more…)

Below are all the ways that disgruntled customers, bitter employees, and unethical competitors can cause havoc to your Google My Business listing. Not the most uplifting of topics, but it’s well-worth the read because your business is certainly susceptible to vulnerabilities that Google My Business poses.

Uploading inappropriate photos
Anyone can upload a photo to your Google My Business page, whether it’s with a review or a general upload.

Answering customers’ Google My Business “questions” falsely or incorrectly
Users are able to answer questions about your business, but they can do it in a way that hurts your business. You can’t remove bad questions (or answers). All you can do is flag them.
(more…)

There’s no denying the challenge local businesses face in competing against large national retailers. Fortunately, many shoppers still prefer to shop at locally owned businesses to support and strengthen their communities.

Social media provides an excellent way for local businesses to connect with these shoppers. While the retail chains use social media to blast generic sales messaging, local businesses have an opportunity to stand apart with messaging that builds a connection with consumers and earns trust. As a member of the community you serve, you have the advantage of knowing what people are talking about locally, and what things they care about. Tapping into these conversations will help your customers get to know your business and increase the likelihood of them doing business with you. (more…)