There has been a change with Google's local results that you should be aware of if you have a local business.
What used to be called the "7-pack" is now a "3-pack." This can be good or bad for you - but first, here's a good explanation:
Google Updates The “Local Pack” Showing 3 Results Instead Of 7 (searchengineland.com)
Google's local pack now has fewer businesses listed. The 7-pack is now the 3-pack.
Last night Google updated the search results you see in a query that has local intent to show three local businesses instead of seven. In the language of a local SEO expert, the 7-pack is now a 3-pack.
The local pack is not just showing fewer business listings, it is also redesigned to fit more with the mobile user interface.
The 3-pack typically shows up when people are searching for local services. If you're a service provider (like we are), then this change could be good or bad for you. It's good if you're already in the top 3 - you look more exclusive and you have less competition. It's also good if you're one of the top organic results - your listing just moved up. It's bad if you were in spots 4-7 of the old 7-pack and if you're not showing up on the first page (first 10 results) organically.
This means that it's even more important to rank well locally. Get your Google+ listing updated and make sure the address on it matches your website exactly. Get citations from other websites and keep asking your customers for reviews.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about or if you simply don't have to time to be a website guru, then Webstix is here to help you!
Just like how you take your car to the mechanic, we're here to help with your website. We can do SEO, maintenance, get it to load faster... whatever. We're experts and we know this stuff inside and out. Let us handle it and you can get back to what you do best - running your business!
-Tony
