Your online reputation is not just important—it’s essential for success in today’s competitive business environment, whether you’re running a traditional insurance office or a home-based operation. Before a potential client even picks up the phone to call, they’re looking your business up online. The information they find—your reviews, your address, and your website—will influence their decision to trust you or move on to a competitor. That’s why getting your digital presence right isn’t just an option. It’s a must.

But here’s the good news—you don’t need to do it alone. With the right strategy and professional guidance, you can cultivate a strong online presence that builds trust, grows your client base, and demonstrates your expertise.

Why Local SEO and Consistency Matter

If you want to compete and win locally, one of the most crucial starting points is ensuring your business information—your name, address, and phone number (NAP)—is consistent across all directories and local listings. Sounds simple, right? But this small detail often trips businesses up.

Take a moment to search for your business on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places. Is every detail 100% accurate and consistent? Even minor differences can harm your local SEO ranking. Search engines prioritize reliable and professional listings, so keeping this information updated and uniform across all platforms is critical.

Building an Online Reputation that Drives Growth

Once your NAP is aligned, the next step is ensuring your reputation sets you apart from competitors. Here’s where most insurance agencies shine or falter:

1. Leverage Reviews and Testimonials

Don’t underestimate the power of positive client reviews. With nearly 90% of consumers trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations, it’s clear why your Google and Yelp ratings matter. Encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences, and don’t shy away from showcasing their stories on your website or social media channels. Replying to reviews—both positive and negative—shows you’re listening and care about your clients’ feedback.

2. Share Local Expertise

Clients trust agencies that understand their unique needs. Showcase your local knowledge by offering tailored advice for your community. Is your area prone to extreme weather? Create content about how homeowners can protect their property. Covering commercial policies? Share case studies or examples that demonstrate how your agency has solved coverage challenges for local businesses. Position yourself as the go-to expert in your town or city.

3. Add Value Through Education

Trust is built through transparency and expertise. Offer guides to help clients make informed decisions about their coverage. For example:

• “Do I Need Umbrella Coverage?” for families covered under homeowners’ insurance
• “How to Adjust Your Policy at Different Life Stages,” for every milestone, from buying a home to becoming empty nesters

This helps clients see your agency not just as a service provider but as a trusted advisor.

Social Proof and Community Engagement

Another powerful way to amplify your reputation is by showcasing your connections within the local community. People trust businesses that are active contributors to their area’s growth and well-being:

• Share photos and highlights from local events or sponsorships you’re involved in.
• Highlight partnerships with other local businesses, like real estate firms or financial advisors, to reinforce your professional network.
• Post simple tips on platforms like Facebook or Instagram to maintain engagement with both current and potential clients.

Keep Your Website Fresh and Inviting

Even with a solid reputation, a poor website can drive visitors away. This is where insurance agents often miss the mark. A professional, mobile-friendly website that includes clear calls-to-action (like “Get a Quote”) immediately instills confidence. Add testimonials, professional endorsements, and guides to further maximize your authority. Don’t forget to optimize your website with local keywords to ensure you rank in search results for terms like “best insurance agency in [city].”

Long-Term Success with 220 Marketing

Reputation management doesn’t end with a few adjustments. It’s an ongoing effort that includes monitoring reviews, sharing success stories, and consistently updating your information and content.

If this feels overwhelming, don’t worry. At 220 Marketing, we help both office-based agencies and home-based businesses take control of their online reputation and local SEO. We make sure your NAP information is rock-solid, help you earn and manage reviews, and give you the strategies you need to stay ahead in a competitive local market.

The post Boosting Your Insurance Agency’s Online Reputation appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

The mortgage industry is highly competitive, with national lenders investing heavily to dominate the online search results. For independent mortgage brokers, this digital landscape can be daunting. But here’s the good news—your potential clients are likely searching for local services.

When homebuyers search for terms like “mortgage broker near me” or “best home loan rates in [city],” they’re looking for a professional in their area who can help. That’s why local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a game-changer for mortgage brokers—it helps you stand out in these localized searches and attract qualified leads.

What is Local SEO for Mortgage Brokers?

Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a strategy designed to help businesses appear in location-based search results. Unlike standard SEO, which focuses on ranking nationally, local SEO helps businesses rank for searches that include geographic terms like:

• “mortgage broker in [city]”
• “home loan specialist near me”
• “Low down payment home loans in [neighborhood]”

For mortgage professionals, local mortgage SEO ensures that when potential borrowers search for financing options in your area, your business appears at the top of Google. A strong local SEO strategy helps you get ranked in Google’s Local Pack, which highlights the top three local businesses for searches with local intent.

Key Components of Local SEO for Mortgage Brokers:

• Google My Business (GMB) Optimization – Ensure your mortgage brokerage is correctly listed in Google Search and Maps.
• Local Citations & Directories – List your business on reputable directories such as Zillow, Yelp, and Bing.
• Customer Reviews & Ratings – Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive feedback to boost both credibility and search rankings.
• Locally Optimized Website & Content – Implement localized keywords and content to match what people are searching for in your area.

When implemented correctly, mortgage broker SEO strategies can help increase your visibility among highly targeted, ready-to-convert leads.

Why Local SEO Matters for Mortgage Brokers

1. Increased Visibility in Local Search Results

If your business isn’t showing up in local search results, you’re missing valuable opportunities to connect with borrowers looking for mortgage services now. Studies show that:

• 46% of all Google searches have local intent
• 78% of local mobile searches lead to an offline purchase within 24 hours

By optimizing your website and Google My Business profile for local SEO for mortgage lenders, you increase your chances of appearing in search results when borrowers need mortgage assistance in your area.

2. Higher-Quality, Targeted Leads

Focusing on local SEO ensures that the traffic visiting your website is highly relevant. Unlike broad SEO, which may attract users from outside your service area, local mortgage SEO ensures that people finding your site actually need your services.

A search like “mortgage refinance in [your city]” or “first-time homebuyer mortgage expert in [state]” indicates strong buying intent. By ranking for terms related to your locality, you help ensure that site visitors are potential homebuyers or homeowners looking to take action.

3. Outranking Larger Mortgage Lenders

National lenders compete heavily for general mortgage-related search terms like “best mortgage rates”—but they don’t always focus on local searches. This is a massive opportunity for independent mortgage brokers to stand out using hyper-local SEO strategies.

Smaller mortgage firms that optimize for local mortgage broker SEO can rank higher than big companies in region-specific searches, as Google prioritizes businesses that are geographically relevant to the searcher.

4. More Reviews = More Credibility & Trust

Credibility plays a critical role in the mortgage industry. Borrowers need to trust that their mortgage broker is knowledgeable, reliable, and experienced.

A well-optimized Google Business Profile with positive Google Reviews helps position you as a trusted expert. To maximize your online reputation:

• Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews to improve ranking and credibility.
• Respond promptly to all reviews, whether they’re positive or negative, showing engagement and professionalism.
• Leverage testimonials effectively by displaying them on blog posts, social media, and key landing pages on your website.

More positive reviews = higher rankings for mortgage broker SEO and increased borrower trust.

Strategies to Master Local SEO for Mortgage Brokers

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

A well-maintained Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is central to local SEO success.

• Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent.
• Choose “Mortgage Broker” or “Mortgage Lender” as your primary category.
• Upload high-quality photos of your office and team.
• Share updates like mortgage tips, rate trends, or local events.

This profile feeds into search results and Google Maps, helping borrowers find you quickly.

2. Include Local Keywords on Your Website

Your website should speak directly to your community. Integrate location-specific keywords into your site pages, blogs, and metadata. For example:

• “VA loans in [city]”
• “Refinancing options in [neighborhood]”

When these phrases appear naturally across your content, Google recognizes your relevance to local searches.

3. List Your Business in Directories

Reputable directories like Yelp, Zillow, and local real estate platforms further boost your online presence. Again, make sure your NAP details match everywhere. The consistency signals to Google that your business is trustworthy.

4. Create Localized Content

Publishing local blog posts enriches your website while addressing common questions potential clients might have. Great examples include:

• “Top Mortgage Programs for First-Time Buyers in [City]”
• “How [County] Property Taxes Impact Your Monthly Mortgage Payments”

Even simple articles catered to your area can make a big difference in your visibility.

5. Encourage Reviews

Ask happy clients to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or Zillow. Positive feedback builds credibility and enhances your SEO signal. Remember to respond to all reviews—it shows you’re engaged and professional.

6. Use Location-Based Social Media

Engage locally through platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Share success stories, financial advice, and market updates related to your area. Additionally, running geo-targeted ads can boost your business among nearby users.

Tracking Local SEO Success

Once you’ve implemented a strategy, measure its success using tools like:

• Google Analytics to track website traffic and user behavior.
• Google Business Insights to see profile views, search trends, and direction requests.
• Call Tracking or forms to track inquiries that come specifically from local searches.

Start Showing Up Locally

Local SEO is an essential tool for mortgage brokers who want to set themselves apart in a crowded market. By following these strategies—optimizing your Google profile, targeting localized keywords, and engaging with your community—you’ll attract more borrowers right in your area.

Looking for expert help with local SEO? Contact 220 Marketing Group and discover how we can help you dominate your local market.

The post Why Local SEO is Essential for Mortgage Brokers appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

Trust is the backbone of the mortgage lending industry. For a borrower, whether it’s their first mortgage or a refinancing process, this decision feels monumental. Now, with most clients researching extensively online before reaching out to a lender, trust-building strategies are no longer optional, they’re essential. And there’s one tried-and-true way to establish trust effectively in the digital age: testimonials.

Why Trust is Non-Negotiable in Mortgage Lending

The mortgage industry is fiercely competitive. Borrowers have countless choices, from large financial institutions to independent brokers. Yet, their decision often comes down to more than just competitive interest rates or loan terms. What clients are really looking for is trustworthy, transparent mortgage professionals who deliver exceptional service and prioritize their financial success.

One of the biggest challenges you face as a lender is overcoming client hesitation. Concerns over confusing paperwork, surprise fees, or poor communication can make potential borrowers wary. The key to breaking through that uncertainty? A proven track record. By sharing testimonials, you can show prospective borrowers why other clients trusted you, effectively reducing barriers and driving more inquiries.

Why Testimonials Matter

A mortgage testimonial is far more than a simple review—it serves as social proof that validates your credibility in the eyes of potential borrowers. Research shows that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from others over traditional advertising (Nielsen). That’s impactful.

For borrowers unfamiliar with your services, testimonials provide reassurance and clarity around questions like:

• Was the lender responsive and transparent throughout the process?
• Did they make the entire mortgage process seamless?
• Were they able to handle special circumstances, such as low credit scores or unique loan requirements?

By strategically incorporating testimonials, you create authenticity and provide the reassurance borrowers need to move forward with confidence.

How to Collect Compelling Testimonials

The key to impactful testimonials is a thoughtful collection process. Here’s how you can gather feedback that builds trust and drives referrals.

1. Ask at the Right Moment

Timing is everything. The best time to request a testimonial is immediately after a successful loan closing, when the excitement of owning a new home is fresh. Borrowers are more inclined to share meaningful and enthusiastic feedback at that point.

2. Make It Easy for Clients

Some clients might hesitate simply because they don’t know how to start. You can guide them by providing these prompts:

• “What concerns did you have before reaching out to us, and how did we address them?”
• “What stood out most about working with us during the mortgage process?”
• “How did we make the process easier or less stressful for you?”

Clear prompts help clients focus on specific aspects of their experience, resulting in thoughtful, engaging stories rather than generic statements.

3. Offer Flexible Formats

Not all borrowers prefer writing extensive reviews, so give them options! Whether it’s video, audio, or even a shorter written statement, offering flexibility allows clients to share in a way that feels comfortable. Video testimonials are especially effective for building trust since they allow potential clients to see genuine emotions and humanize your business.

4. Highlight Key Success Factors

Encourage borrowers to focus on aspects like your:

• Clear communication and responsiveness
• Fast loan approvals
• Personalized guidance during the financial process

Doing so ensures that each testimonial is relevant, relatable, and specifically addresses common concerns of future borrowers.

Where to Feature Testimonials for Maximum Impact

Collecting testimonials is only half the battle—they need to be showcased strategically to reach potential clients effectively.

1. Your Website

Your website is often the first touchpoint with potential borrowers. Include testimonials prominently on high-traffic pages—like the home page, loan application forms, or even a dedicated Testimonial Page to build instant credibility. There are even ways to generate your own first party reviews directly on your website that can be picked up by AI Tools such as ChatGBT. Learn more about this future proof feature for your business here.

2. Google Business Profile

A strong Google presence is essential, especially for local lenders. Positive Google reviews not only boost your local SEO ranking for searches like “best mortgage lender near me” but also allow potential clients to see unbiased, authentic feedback.

3. Social Media Platforms

Turn testimonials into engaging content for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share client stories with photos, videos, or even short interview snippets to encourage engagement from your audience.

4. Email Campaigns

Integrate testimonials into your email marketing campaigns. Whether as part of a welcome sequence or a follow-up email, testimonials instill trust at various decision-making stages.

5. Video Platforms & Short Clips

Use platforms like YouTube, Instagram Reels, or Facebook for video testimonials. Seeing real clients share their positive experiences creates a stronger emotional connection than text alone and increases engagement.

Compliance Guidelines for Mortgage Testimonials

Since the mortgage industry is heavily regulated, it’s important to follow these compliance best practices to protect your business and your clients.

• No Misleading Claims: Testimonials must reflect genuine client experiences and avoid making guarantees about loans or terms.
• Disclose Incentives: If you offer incentives (like a gift card) for reviews, this must be clearly disclosed.
• Verify Authenticity: All testimonials must come from real clients to maintain credibility and avoid legal issues.

By meeting these requirements, you ensure both trust and compliance.

Writing Better Testimonials with Impact

Not all testimonials are equal. Here are some ways to maximize their trust-building power:

1. Use Real Photos and Names (with permission): Including a client’s photo or full name makes the testimonial feel authentic and relatable.
2. Showcase a Range of Borrowers: From first-time buyers to refinancing clients, feature testimonials that reflect the diversity of clients you serve.
3. Prioritize Storytelling: Encourage borrowers to share their mortgage journey—what challenges they faced and how you helped solve them.
4. Include Star Ratings: Ratings from platforms like Zillow or Google visibly demonstrate your reliability and credibility at a glance.

Build Trust, Close More Loans

At the heart of every strong mortgage business is trust. By leveraging the power of client testimonials, you provide a consistent reminder to potential borrowers that they’re in safe hands.

This isn’t just about gathering feedback; it’s about creating a lasting impression that builds confidence, generates referrals, and leads to more closed loans. Start gathering and showcasing your testimonials today—you’ll be amazed at how they can transform your business pipeline!

Need help collecting impactful testimonials? Start by simplifying your process with these steps—you’ll be creating trust-driven content in no time.

The post Building Trust Online: How Mortgage Lenders Can Use Testimonials to Drive Business Growth appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

Building an online presence is no longer optional for mortgage professionals, insurance agencies, and financing experts. A solid SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategy is the key to attracting high-quality leads, driving traffic to your website, and outpacing competitors.

If you’re struggling to stand out in search results, this guide is for you. We’ll cover everything from understanding how SEO works to implementing strategies you can use—even on a budget. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to set your business up for sustainable, long-term growth online.

Understanding SEO and Why It Matters

Before we jump into the details, let’s clarify what SEO is and why it’s crucial for your business.

What is SEO?

SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). It involves strategies to make your content more visible and appealing to search engines like Google, which helps potential customers find you.

Why does it matter?

For industries like mortgages, insurance, and finance that thrive on trust and expertise, SEO is a cost-effective way to connect with high-value clients. When your site ranks well, you gain credibility, boost organic traffic, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital customer landscape.

How Keywords and Content Impact SEO

At the heart of every good SEO strategy lie keywords and quality content. Keywords indicate what potential customers are searching for, while your content provides the answers. Together, they create a roadmap for search engines to guide users to your site.

For example, mortgage professionals might target keywords like “best mortgage broker in [city]” or “how to refinance a home.” The key is to create in-depth, actionable content that aligns with the search queries of your audience.

The Role of Backlinks and User Experience (UX)

If keywords and content are SEO’s foundation, backlinks and user experience are the glue that holds everything together.

• Backlinks: These are links from other websites to your own. High-quality backlinks signal to search engines that your website is a trusted authority, improving your rankings.
• User Experience: A fast, mobile-friendly website with clear navigation improves visitor engagement, boosting your SEO performance in the process.

Conducting Keyword Research on a Budget

You don’t need an expensive toolset to identify effective keywords for your business. Here are a few budget-friendly options to get started:

1. Google Keyword Planner – Use this free tool to search for keywords, view competition levels, and examine search volumes.
2. Answer the Public – Input a topic (e.g., “home loans”), and it generates frequently asked questions that can inspire blog content.
3. Google’s Autocomplete – Begin typing your topic in the search bar, and Google will suggest popular search terms.

Choosing the Right Keywords for SEO Success

Once you’ve compiled keyword ideas, evaluate them for relevance, competition, and search intent.

• Relevance: Does the keyword align with the services you offer?
• Competition: Aim for long-tail keywords (e.g., “best home insurance in Florida”) that have lower competition but high intent.
• Search Intent: Identify whether users are seeking information, services, or solutions—then tailor your content accordingly.

Implementing On-Page SEO Best Practices

Essential On-Page SEO Factors

On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual web pages to rank higher. Here’s what you should focus on:

• Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Write concise, keyword-rich titles and meta descriptions to encourage clicks.
• Headers: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content for both readers and search engines.
• Internal Linking: Link to other pages on your website to improve navigation and distribute link equity.
• Alt Text for Images: Describe your images with keywords to improve accessibility and help them rank in image searches.

Eliminating Broken Links and Improving Site Structure

Broken links can frustrate visitors and harm your SEO. Use free tools like Broken Link Checker to find and fix these links. Additionally, ensure your site’s navigation is intuitive, with a clear hierarchy of pages.

Earning High-Quality Backlinks (for Free!)

Backlinks can significantly improve your site’s credibility, but you don’t need to spend a dime earning them.

Smart Ways to Generate Backlinks

1. Create Share-Worthy Content: Develop high-quality resources, such as mortgage calculators or financial guides, that others want to link to.
2. Guest Blogging: Write articles for reputable websites in your niche and link back to your site.
3. Partner with Industry Leaders: Offer testimonials or collaborate on joint content to earn links.

Mastering Local SEO for Small Businesses

If you’re targeting clients in a specific region, local SEO is essential.

Steps to Improve Local SEO Rankings

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile: Ensure your business information is accurate and complete. Regularly update posts with news, updates, or offers.
2. Encourage Reviews: Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews, as they directly impact local SEO rankings.
3. Optimize for Local Keywords: Use location-based terms (e.g., “mortgage lenders in Dallas”) to attract nearby clients.
4. NAP Consistency: Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone information is consistent online.

Tracking and Refining Your SEO Strategy

SEO isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. Regularly monitor your performance to refine and improve your strategy.

Top Free Tools for SEO Performance Tracking

• Google Analytics: Monitor website traffic, engagement, and conversion rates.
• Google Search Console: Identify and fix indexing issues, track keyword rankings, and measure search performance.

Take the First Step Toward SEO Success

SEO is a powerful tool for growing your mortgage, insurance, or financing business. Start small, be consistent, and focus on delivering value to your audience.

Looking to boost your SEO efforts today? Implement these strategies and unlock the full potential of your business online. A well-optimized site isn’t just a tool for growth—it’s a foundation for long-term success.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Improving SEO for Mortgage, Insurance, and Finance Professionals appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

Whenever you do a search for local businesses, Google returns a group of three results known as the local pack or local 3 pack. These results appear at the top of the page above organic results and either above or below paid results depending on the specific search terms. The goal of improving your local SEO is to make sure your business appears in the local pack. 

The local pack includes some important at-a-glance information about your business. This includes your most basic contact information including your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Additional information such as your business hours and star rating based on Google reviews can also be displayed. You may find other information is displayed for different industries. For example, restaurants may give information on whether they offer dine-in or carry-out options. Below you will see a typical local 3 pack for the search term “pizza.” 

Why is visibility in the local pack so important? According to a study by SEOClarity, the local pack is displayed in the top position in 93% of Google search results. By landing in the local pack, this makes your business the first thing a potential customer sees in 9 out of 10 search results. Equally as important, Google shows that 76% of people who do a local search on their mobile device will contact a business within 24 hours. 28% of those searches result in a consumer making a purchase. 

How Does Google Determine Local Ranking? 

There are three primary factors that Google focuses on when determining who makes it into the local 3 pack which are relevance, distance, and prominence. 

Relevance  

Relevance is how well your local business profile matches the search that a user makes. To ensure you are appearing in the local pack for searches related to your business, it is important to accurately complete your Google My Business information. This includes: 

• Phone number 
• Business name 
• Physical address 
• Business categories  
• Business hours 

It is also important to verify your location and to manage and respond to reviews left on Google. All these things give users confidence that you will be open and available when needed. 

Distance 

Distance is how far you are from a specified search location or from a searcher’s current location if one is not specified. Of course, there is not anything you can do to change your physical distance from a search location, but it is important to know how certain search terms can cause Google to place more weight on the distance factor. For example, you can see below how the results change when you add “near me” to the search conducted earlier. In the original search, Capri Pizza and Grill may have appeared due to having a higher prominence factor. However, when placing more focus on distance, Giant New York Pizza was favored. 

Prominence 

Prominence is a combination of factors that equate to how well known a business is. Google gathers information about a business from various places such as your own website, online directories, articles, and links to evaluate prominence. Additionally, prominence is affected strongly by the number of reviews you have and the positivity of those reviews. The organic placement of your website will also have an impact so be sure to keep your website updated and you adhere to SEO best practices. Maintaining accurate business information across as many online directories as possible is also important for helping Google understand your business. Inaccuracies can lead to confusion and difficulty evaluating the information that is available about your business. 

Local SEO is more important than ever and as more searches are being done on mobile devices year after year, it will only become more impactful. If you are not ending up in the local 3 pack, it is time to take action. Take a look at your Google My Business page and determine if you are providing the most accurate information about your business. If changes need to be made, do not hesitate to make them. Work on gathering as many positive reviews as you can. Be sure to monitor and respond to new reviews as they come in to inspire confidence in potential customers. Stay on top of these things to ensure you work your way into the local pack and your business is seen.

The post The Big Three of Local Ranking: Relevance, Distance, Prominence appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

If your business uses a website, you have most likely done a little bit of homework on search engine optimization or have at least heard of it. Search engine optimization, or SEO, revolves around increasing the quality and quantity of traffic to your website through organic search results. Organic search results are any unpaid results that a search engine such as Google or Bing return. So how do these search engines determine what results to give and in what order to place them? Let us take a look at five major factors that search engines uses to determine your placement in organic search results.

New Content

People search for information that is current and relevant and search engines need to be able to find and produce this information. That is why search engines are constantly scanning the internet for new and interesting content. When new content is found, it is indexed and will be able to be returned in search results. If your site is rarely updated and your content is old, search engines will not have a reason to index your site very often. Even if you have quality content, old content may not be ranked as high as new content. If you have an article on FHA loans from 2015 on your site, your article may be missing crucial information from the past five years. Search engines will recognize this and return more relevant results. By updating your site with new content, search engines will index your site more frequently, which is a signal that you are providing updated and current information on your site. This in turn will improve your ranking drastically.

One common mistake that is made by many people when creating content is excluding location information. Search engines can determine where you are located, but you may want to target various surrounding areas and cities. Using location information in keyword phrases will let search engines know not only what product or service you offer, but the areas you are targeting as well. This extra bit of information will not only help your organic SEO rankings, but your local SEO rankings as well.

Traffic to Your Website

Website traffic is a straightforward ranking factor, and one of the most important. In most cases, the more visitors you have on your site, the better the ranking will be. A study by SEMrush showed that direct traffic had the most significant impact on page rank. Search engines recognize that sites with the most traffic are offering something that visitors need. This is why it is extremely important to always be updating and improving your content. Quality content increases direct traffic to your site. It is also important to keep visitors on your site. If you are receiving a lot of traffic, but those visitors are immediately leaving, you may not be providing quality content that these visitors are after. This is referred to as having a high bounce-rate which brings us to our next ranking factor.

Length of Stay

Search engines track the amount of time visitors spend on a particular page or website. If one website has an average length of stay of two minutes, and a competing website has an average length of stay of 20 seconds, there is clearly a difference in the quality of the website in the eyes of a search engine. When someone visits a website has a short average length of stay, or immediately leaves (high bounce-rate), red flags go up. The content may not be related to their search, or the website may offer a poor user experience. Whatever the reason may be, search engines view these sites as low-quality sites.

When visitors spend more time on a website, they are having a better experience and likely finding the content that they were looking for. These are the websites that search engines want to deliver to their users. If search results return a lit of websites that offer a poor user experience, people will simply switch to different search engines.

Number of Page Views

The number of page views that a website gets goes hand in hand with length of time that is spent on a website. If a person views multiple pages on a website, they are likely spending more time there than someone who visits one page and leaves the site. This is another indicator that a site visitor is having a positive user experience and they are exploring the site for more information.

An increased number of page views might mean people are landing on a page expecting to find certain information that is not there. They may end up clicking to a few different pages looking for it before eventually leaving without finding that information. This is why factors such as length of stay and traffic are also considered. If page views are up but length of stay is very low, this could be a negative sign. Higher page views coupled with a longer length of stay are positive indicators.

Social Rank

When you search for products and services, you have most likely seen results that include a star ranking. These star rankings are based on reviews of those products and services. Sites such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp allow users to leave reviews and select a star rating, normally from 1 to 5. This collection of star ratings across various sites can be compiled into a social rank. Social rank can be used by search engines to determine if you are operating a reputable business. If your business receives a lot of positive reviews across many of these sites, you will have a much better social rank than a business that does not generate reviews or has poor reviews.

Search engines want to connect people with reputable businesses that provide quality products and services. If you provide the same information and services on your website as a competitor, but they have a 2 star average across these sites, while you have a 5 star rating, search engines will want to connect visitors with you. You will likely provide a better overall experience than your competitor. Social rank is why it is vital to always be asking customers for positive reviews. Many people will only go out of their way to leave negative reviews when they have a bad experience. Those who have a good experience tend not to leave reviews but are happy to give one if asked. Stay on top of generating positive reviews and your social rank will improve.

These five factors are only a few of the hundreds of ranking factors that search engines use but are some of the most important. Focus on providing your site visitors with quality content and a positive user experience. Stay on top of creating new content as often as you can manage and remember to always be actively asking for positive reviews from customer that have had a great experience with you. If you can do this, you will be well on your way to a much higher organic SEO ranking.

The post Major Factors That Influence Organic SEO Placement appeared first on 220 Marketing Group.

Local SEO has seen some changes recently and it’s imperative to understand the new Snack Pack and what these modifications mean for your rankings in local search results. The most substantial and noticeable difference is that the fluctuating pack of one, three or seven ordinarily displayed is now replaced with only three results across the board. The resulting consequence is that many businesses have lost local exposure in the search engines and must work smarter now to increase their brand visibility in local search results.

The even larger issue now is the increased competition for the remaining three local positions. Businesses that previously appeared in positions four through seven will now have to strategize wiser for local visibility. And positions one, two and three are going to have to work diligently to stay evident. This will also make organic and paid results important for local businesses to work into their online marketing efforts. Therefore, a marketing and branding mindset is more important than ever when it comes to increasing brand exposure online, as well as, driving traffic to your website/social platforms.

Another modification worth noting is that we are seeing more cases in local search results where the Snack Pack is sitting at the top of the page and adverts are presented to the right. Although this now seems to be the norm, the positioning of these can vary. The variations we have noticed include local results at the top of the page, adverts at the top of the page, local results below ads and local results below a single organic listing.  Since the search engines are constantly altering and testing new algorithms, it’s hard to determine how results will be displayed in the future.

 What Has Changed?

• Only three listings are now displayed where up to seven were shown before
• The window of opportunity has shrunk, therefore, competition has increased
• Google is experimenting with paid local results
  

What Is The Same?

• Reviews are still extremely important for higher click-through rates
• Citation consistency remains essential for establishing higher results
• Links and local influence are still vital in competitive fields

What To Focus On:

• Google My Business
• Citation Consistency
• On-Page Optimization
• Reviews
• Local Links
• Local Reputation

Some Things To Keep In Mind:

• Although important, reviews and citations carry receding returns, however, legitimate links from local or related sources will continue to boost value. They are also the primary components in deciding whether you are able to be a part of, or remain visible in, the new Snack Pack.

• Make sure your local pages have snippets of reviews as they play a critical role in boosting click-through traffic.

• Ascertain location-specific on-page optimization is calibrated.

• Reviews are crucial in driving clicks and determining where you stand in the selection process.

• Organic is still the most flexible and consistently reliable driver of site traffic.  So diversify when it comes to your SEO strategies and allow multiple avenues for traffic to discover your brand.

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When a business serves a selective location, as well as, the surrounding areas, it’s important to ensure that its website is locally optimized. Here’s a local SEO tip, If you don’t, it will be difficult to expect any potential customers to find you on Google within your general location.

So…what should you be doing? Here’s some local SEO tips

It’s definitely a science, but very simple to accomplish once you understand it. First, you’ll need to let Google know where your business is located (visit www.220marketing.com to find out how to do this).  Instead of keyword stuffing or writing mechanical text distinctly directed at the search engines, a more productive practice is to have your key location included within your title tags, meta-descriptions, the content of your web pages, as well as, the footer region of your website.

Help potential clients find you on Google…

To assist your potential clients with finding you on Google’s search engine, you’ll need to tell Google who your business is, as well as, how far along you are with the basic SEO elements listed above (all addresses, phone numbers, company names, etc. need to be consistent across all platforms).

So, what’s your first task?

Your first task is to establish and optimize a Google Places listing for your business. This is absolutely imperative for local SEO!
You’ll need to add your company’s name, business address and a current, up-to-date phone number to all of the prominent online business directories, portals and social platforms online (it’s important to note to always use the same listing info across all channels your company is listed on). As soon as you’ve completed the task of adding all of your business’ details, as well as, ensuring that each company description is consistent across all necessary channels, Google will then acknowledge that you’re now equipped to handle the search traffic it has to offer you.

In addition to getting your web pages in order and confirmed with Google, you will also need to get your current and/or past clients to review your business in order to rank higher as well. With an abundant volume of quality reviews on your Google Places page, you will be recognized as being a trusted organization. In turn, you’ll be ranked more favorably by Google for local search terms and will be given a higher page ranking.

An important tip of many local SEO tips is that Google will typically list businesses whose key words, phrases, company details, etc. are closest to the search term(s), location and details being entered. For example, if you’re a Café proprietor with the key search term ‘Café in San Diego’, however, you’re actually based in San Francisco, Google will likely give Café’ who are closest to San Diego a higher page ranking before it lists yours. Google works this way in order to be fair to everyone and to make sure your site is optimized, your current and/or past clients are reviewing you and your content is being updated frequently.

To get a free consultation, contact us today at 1-877-220-6584 or click here.

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