149 ways to be more Google friendly

Firms and businesses who want to be found locally online for their products and services need to consider 149 different factors in order to ensure their online presence is search engine friendly.
This is according to Ben Marley, formerly of Rightmove, feefo and ESTAS, who joins the latest Today's Conveyancer podcast to discuss the launch of Geocale; a Google business profile management service that helps firms and businesses to be found, be chosen and be recommended in their locality.
The business was borne out of his experience working with firms to improve their online presence and focuses on helping organisations set up their Google My Business account, and manage it proactively, to appear higher on the map rankings.
And while we know most searches for services start online, if you needed any more evidence of searches for legal services with a local intent, Ben highlights there are 27,000 searches p/m for the term "Solicitor near me"; and 12,000 p/m for "Conveyancer near me".
These 149 factors influence the search results Google provides for search queries and the more you can align with what Google is looking for, the ore likely you are to appear both on the map, and higher up in the search results.
During the discussion Ben shares his top tips for firms for how they can improve some of the fundamental mistakes he sees on a daily basis; including ensuring names, addresses and opening times match up; being clear about locality; and requesting and responding to online reviews.
The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views.