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Getting in the A spot in Google places

by BasilInc.
29 replies
Here is my challenge right now I own a florist in Long Island, NY my shop has the highest ratings and most positive reviews as well as the oldest and most established florist in the area. But we seem to be stuck at the D spot for some reason. Where I thought good citations help you rank higher. That doesn't seem to be the case. Especially since the A spot has less reviews and they are all lousy and others that are higher up than me are in different towns!.
flowers rockville centre ny - Google Search

What can I do to get in the A Position?
#google #places #spot
  • Profile picture of the author pepes4329
    heres whats working for me

    on your main URL hyperlink (anchor text) your address and point it to your GOOGLE PLACES address

    anchor text your phone numeber and send it to your google places

    NOw I did this 15 days ago and I moved up with 3 keywords this weekend

    now Iam assuming this is what made my rank go up on GP because thats all ive done
    to my webpage
    thats what I changed and it worked for me
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    • Profile picture of the author cwjones
      Originally Posted by pepes4329 View Post

      heres whats working for me

      on your main URL hyperlink (anchor text) your address and point it to your GOOGLE PLACES address

      anchor text your phone numeber and send it to your google places

      NOw I did this 15 days ago and I moved up with 3 keywords this weekend

      now Iam assuming this is what made my rank go up on GP because thats all ive done
      to my webpage
      thats what I changed and it worked for me
      That is a great tip - I have just tried it on a client site and will keep you posted.
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  • Profile picture of the author rbrShorty
    Originally Posted by BasilInc. View Post

    Here is my challenge right now I own a florist in Long Island, NY my shop has the highest ratings and most positive reviews as well as the oldest and most established florist in the area. But we seem to be stuck at the D spot for some reason. Where I thought good citations help you rank higher. That doesn't seem to be the case. Especially since the A spot has less reviews and they are all lousy and others that are higher up than me are in different towns!.
    flowers rockville centre ny - Google Search

    What can I do to get in the A Position?
    The query returns O-pack (blended search results), where the most important factors are the website ones, i.e. the standard SEO factors (onsite and offsite). Your website hasn't been merged with your Place page yet, which is the main reason (imo) why you are stuck at position D. There are a few things you could do to get your website merged with your Place page:

    - get the address and phone number showing up in a crawlable format on every page of the website (best in the footers)
    - get the same information showing on the Contact Us page
    - create a KML sitemap
    - insert your location (or at least city + area code) in some of the H tags (best in the H1 tag)
    - it's the best if for the footer you use hCard format, in accordance with the schema.org - Home prescriptions
    - everywhere on the website the business information should match the Google Places listing information

    Cheers,
    Nyagoslav
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthony seoserviceagents
      Great response
      I would add to it
      don't forget the geo-sitemap to register in webmaster tools,get a kmz file linked in your footer on front page, do some linking on footer to citations with your keywords in anchor text in all pages
      some more reviews
      maybe ping your citations for faster indexing

      Anthony


      Originally Posted by rbrShorty View Post

      The query returns O-pack (blended search results), where the most important factors are the website ones, i.e. the standard SEO factors (onsite and offsite). Your website hasn't been merged with your Place page yet, which is the main reason (imo) why you are stuck at position D. There are a few things you could do to get your website merged with your Place page:

      - get the address and phone number showing up in a crawlable format on every page of the website (best in the footers)
      - get the same information showing on the Contact Us page
      - create a KML sitemap
      - insert your location (or at least city + area code) in some of the H tags (best in the H1 tag)
      - it's the best if for the footer you use hCard format, in accordance with the schema.org - Home prescriptions
      - everywhere on the website the business information should match the Google Places listing information

      Cheers,
      Nyagoslav
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      Local SEO / Organic SEO Services / Citation Services
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      • Profile picture of the author TheShark
        Hello,

        Just 2 quick notes that I haven't seen mentioned (I'm getting a 7 pack, not a merged listing when I look).

        1) How long ago was the listing actually created or updated?

        2) Google may not trust those 3 reviews within 24 hours also the 2 Sept ones look a little fishy since on same date.

        Just my 2 cents.

        Without running a check - how many citations do you have?

        The Shark
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Which one are you? I know you said D spot... Does that mean Mormile?
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  • Profile picture of the author BasilInc.
    Yes Mormile is my business
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    Aluminum Fence
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  • Profile picture of the author needlinks
    Is the A spot more in the center of "town" by any chance?
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    • Profile picture of the author cwjones
      Originally Posted by needlinks View Post

      Is the A spot more in the center of "town" by any chance?
      I did read one course that mentioned you might rank higher if you are in the "town center"
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  • Profile picture of the author Bobster0007
    Add videos and get some good citations.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    I agree with RBSHORTY with the addition of backlinks to your main site. Use a hoist Rocket and you will rocket yourself to the A spot.


    Places has become a unique combination of organic SEO and GPO. Just my experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author bmsmarketing
    1. Do everything those guys above you said.
    2. Check getlisted.org for your citations.
    Make sure your citations are all identical, and then start putting reviews online on the other citations. yahoo, superpages are by far the easiest. Then local.com and citysearch and yellowbot, and insiderpages and kudzu. If you dont have those built, then you need to. citysearch isnt free though, so stick with free.
    If you want additional help and some other tips that are not on here, PM me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bennette
    When adding videos and photos remember to use your keyword in the title of the video.
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  • Profile picture of the author jrod014
    IMO, focus on the organic side of SEO. Also be sure to create a geo-sitemap.xml file + a location.kml file.

    Then upload both files to the root directory.

    In google webmaster tools, use the new "crawl as google bot" feature for faster indexing.

    Good luck.

    Feel free to PM me if you need any more help.

    Jerry
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  • Profile picture of the author philboy uk
    I noticed that their facebook page has been set up on a profile page and not a business page, not that this will help with google place rankings.
    consider geotagging video and uploading it to google place.
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  • Profile picture of the author VegasGreg
    Originally Posted by BasilInc. View Post


    What can I do to get in the A Position?
    You must play by the rules in order to get top rankings.

    Your G-Places page has the business name: "Mormile Florists and Event Decorators"
    (I am guessing you wanted to stuff an extra keyword in there?)

    The actual business name on the site ( I am guessing the real business name) is: MORMILE FLORIST INC.

    And the top citation sites have you listed as MORMILE FLORIST, Mormile Florists, and Mormile Florists Gift Baskets.

    These all contradict each other instead of working together in harmony.

    Go fix your Places Page to REAL details and then go fix (the ones that need it) all the citation listings. Then you will have the power.
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    Greg Schueler - Wordpress Fanatic... Living The Offline Marketing Dream...

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    • Profile picture of the author IMguy123
      Originally Posted by VegasGreg View Post

      You must play by the rules in order to get top rankings.

      Your G-Places page has the business name: "Mormile Florists and Event Decorators"
      (I am guessing you wanted to stuff an extra keyword in there?)

      The actual business name on the site ( I am guessing the real business name) is: MORMILE FLORIST INC.

      And the top citation sites have you listed as MORMILE FLORIST, Mormile Florists, and Mormile Florists Gift Baskets.

      These all contradict each other instead of working together in harmony.

      Go fix your Places Page to REAL details and then go fix (the ones that need it) all the citation listings. Then you will have the power.

      That advice sounds good to me also...

      But I also would agree that the reviews look fishy. I am not saying they are fake but they do look questionable. It very well may be that the OP's service and products are stunning. However, when all reviews are virtually perfect it just doesn't look real. How to counteract that? The store needs some reviews that are not completely positive...not necessarily 1 or 2 stars but not perfect either.

      I will also add that with further looking. I see that one of the reviewers (Lexi) posted a review on Jan 27 for both the OP's store and the store located in the (A) spot. Even more, the review for the (A) spot was a very bad review while the one for the OP's was glowingly perfect.
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Clough
        Originally Posted by IMguy123 View Post

        That advice sounds good to me also...

        But I also would agree that the reviews look fishy. I am not saying they are fake but they do look questionable. It very well may be that the OP's service and products are stunning. However, when all reviews are virtually perfect it just doesn't look real. How to counteract that? The store needs some reviews that are not completely positive...not necessarily 1 or 2 stars but not perfect either.

        I will also add that with further looking. I see that one of the reviewers (Lexi) posted a review on Jan 27 for both the OP's store and the store located in the (A) spot. Even more, the review for the (A) spot was a very bad review while the one for the OP's was glowingly perfect.
        Yes, all perfect and the word "florist" is in bold font in every review Is it supposed to be? Just askin'........

        hmmmmm.......you are also, in the #2 organic position under the Places, which is terrific. I'd be pretty damn happy if this were mine!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Richards
    Hey Warriors,

    Excellent feedback folks, way to go!

    My agreement is with Greg Schueler. EVERYTHING has to match up perfectly to get the most benefit with GP.

    Rob
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    Here are the hard facts: You don't have any citations. Check out the links below:

    Your38 Citations with this search:
    "443 North Long Beach Road" +"Rockville Centre" +"516 766 7000" - Google Search

    Competitor's 442 Citations with same search:
    "41 North Village Avenue" +"Rockville Centre" +"516 766 2461" - Google Search

    You need more citations, period.

    Along with what VegasGreg said - you need consistency. That's how this algorithm works. That's why there are companies like UBL.org to help to keep consistency with all your listings. Unfortunately, even UBL.org doesn't do a good job submitting in a timely manner - so it's up to you to find all your competitors citations and claim any/all listings in IYP pages, as well as ANY website you do transactions with (link exchanges, etc...).
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    There's great suggestions on this thread.

    - I'd remove the 800 number from your Places Page

    - You're spamming the home page on your website. The pipes stuff is cool but over rated for local businesses. This title format works:

    Your Real Location Business Name -- Your Phone Number used on your Google Places Page

    (Noting else in the title on the home page), You do this the same on anything you post to the net for your business.

    - Video has been mentioned. It's huge to have every single field and attached info like photos and video in your Google Place Page. Don't leave anything out.

    - Get reviews posted directly to your GP Page.

    - Tweet about your GP Page and leave a link to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author cbuckley00
    1st Confirm that you have done the check list that everything that everyone has mentioned here on this post. All of it is correct.
    2nd Wait for the response from Google to make the changes.
    3rd Note: Understanding Google is the 300 lbs gorilla that eats what it wants. It’s the Godzilla that walks where it wants. It’s the Elvis that …well you get the idea. There is always someone to puts more into it who just happen to have the information that Google says “you have matched my secret recipe my friend and made it the way I really like it”. Google doesn't answer to anyone.
    4th Note: Make 1 change at a time. Split test each time so you know what worked and what hurt you. Document it. Reaching for the stars example Google may see editable and flowers keywords but it doesn't see anymore flower related keywords compared to editable.
    5th – Return back to 1st and go through this all again and again and again. If you stop, you have failed.

    JV'n Mental Note: If you get an order that you turn down because you didn’t have what the customer wanted especially in quantity, they may have that same problem also. Maybe you guys can refer and help each other. This can also do what Google places does but indirectly. Just say’n.
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  • Profile picture of the author spoiledkid01
    You hosting account is gone ... I guess (:
    Skype me may be i can help you getting the A spot.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      I was coming to tell you, you shot yourself in the foot by keyword stuffing your name.

      But your site is offline so that's a bigger problem.

      But since I did the research I'll go ahead and share.

      You are WELL ESTABLISHED as you said and already have a TON of citations.

      By changing your name you lost those great citations PLUS it's a major violation and could get you banned.

      Check this - the # of matches on Google for variations of your name + phone.

      "Mormile Florists and Event Decorators" "(516) 766-7000" (name on Place page) ONLY 6 MATCHES!!!

      "Mormile Florist Inc" "(516) 766-7000" (your REAL name) 13,600 matches - this is HUGE!!!

      The ranking order for your keywords is primarily based on # of citations AND data integrity of NAP on Place page - since G is showing the 7 pack algo. So simply getting your core data right could seriously boost you up if you don't get penalized in the meantime.
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  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    He is at E right now,so, I guess he never figured out how to get to A.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
    Sucks for the OP. (not listening to advice)

    Great for everyone else, lot's of good info!

    *bookmarked

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author emdagenais
    Would like to find a Google Places expert. Needing placement in about 25-30 cities. Willing to pay on a performance based scale. PM me and we can get into further details. Thank you....
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    • Profile picture of the author tigerbait
      Originally Posted by ryanmckinney View Post

      Sucks for the OP. (not listening to advice)

      Great for everyone else, lot's of good info!

      *bookmarked

      Ryan
      Wow... agreed.


      Originally Posted by emdagenais View Post

      Would like to find a Google Places expert. Needing placement in about 25-30 cities. Willing to pay on a performance based scale. PM me and we can get into further details. Thank you....
      Unless you have physical location in each of those 25-30 cities, the best expert in the world won't be able to help you.
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