Problem getting Google Places to rank higher - Help? Advice? Suggestions?

Might just need more 'address' umph.

First make sure the Google Places info is filled in to the max with all pics, vids and add some coupons.

Make sure the meta data on the pics & description on vids has the address included.

Consider loading up more pics with addy on Panoramio.

Getlisted.org shows some sites that Dance Warehouse needs accounts/profiles on.

And finally when all is said and done ... location, location, location. The competition may just be closer to what Google considers the center of town.

According to a citations search the top 3 competitors have over 70 citations, your site has only 40. That alone could be the difference.

Sure, I used Whitespark dot ca, I have used several tools, and this one shows the citations (if you pay) but still lists the # of citations for the 7 pack. The free version allows you to do 3 searches a day (not a lot), but it is good to know your competition. Give it a try see what you think.

I hate to say this, but buy scrapebox and blast your google listing to oblivion.

Why do I recommend this? Because 2 of my top competitors used ONLY this technique, got both their listings on page 1, and all their backlinks to the listing are spam.

I hate recommending stuff like this, but it seems obvious google is not penalizing listings for this, since they've been raking in traffic for many years now. Their sites have NO backlinks, just SEO optimized, neither of them has more than 2 reviews on each listing, but both rank first page for a fairly competitive search phrase.

Needless to say I'm trying it out right now. Will have better results as times goes by.

Good luck - Red

A number of suggestions.
I checked and you are already ranking above miss kelly's
but you can also check out this suggestions.

1. Have their address wrapped in hcard format. you can generate it here. this helps google, bing and other search engine index addresses for local search.

2. make sure their address, phone number and name is consistent across all the platform and directories they show up in.

3. include their address, phone number and name in hcard format at the footer of the website.

4. If they have multiple locations, ensure you have different landing pages for the locations but have them all listed in a main landing page listed in the Google listing page.
Best,

Aemilia

Do everything that you can related to Google...

I see you have a Google+ profile, but you don't have their Google+ business page claimed...

Maybe do this...
1. Claim their Google+ business page with the same email address used to set up their Places and Google+ profile page.
2. Link the Google+ biz page to their website.
3. Put a Google+ badge on their website.
4. Create 2 30-45 second videos introducing the dance studio. Use the owner and some images of the dance studio. Animoto works great!
5. Post the youtube videos on your Google+ profile, business page, Places page and embed on the website.
6. Create a Google Places Offer. This might not necessarily help with the rankings, but it will help when people do come to your places page they will see that you are offering them something your competition is not.

Extra:
Claim Facebook "Places" page for mobile check-ins...You probably have already
Claim Foursquare page (also for mobile check-ins). You probably have already done this too

Well, that's my 2 cents...Good Googling Luck!

Red,
Good on ya, takes a big man to admit that. In the end, I have to live with my conscience, so I would rather place 3rd legitimately then 1st knowing that I cheated. Maybe those guys don't ever get caught on those listings, but their willingness to do those kind of spammy, scammy things will catch up to theme eventually.

How about a Google Place Best Practices Guide


Some points to remember on profile pages...

• Establish NAP format consistency
• Use email matching domain to register account
• Establish photo shoots with Google when possible
• Use images and video, walk-through, testimonials
• Establish Service area
• Utilize QR Codes when possible
• Real Address, No UPS or PO Boxes
• Consider implications of Walk-in versus Service Based

Stay Away from:
• Violating Google’s Suggestions
• Using 800 Numbers
• Using Phone Number Tracking
• P.O. / UPS Boxes
• Multiple Place Pages / location
• Duplicate Phone on Multiple Place Pages

Ranking Methodology
 Goal: Provide the Target Audience(s) with a high impact, high value online experience
 Done via: Effective Transparency & Exposure

On the Page for Local
In regards to your website, nothing really changes from traditional SEO, except concepts of location pages. Same marketing principals apply.

Verify & Claim Listings
• List Your Business on Google and Other Local Search Engines & More | GetListed.org (includes major SE’s and major directories)
Citations

Data Providers & Review Sites
• Superpages
• infoUSA
• Theme Sites
• Yelp
• Citysearch
• InsiderPages
• Google
• Yahoo Local
• Angie’s List
• Judy’s Book

Other Public Sources
• Annual Reports, SEC Information
• Federal, State and City Gov’ts
• Business Magazines
• Newspapers
• Postal Service Information Location Based Pages
• Local newspaper (PR Campaigns)
• Chamber or Networking Groups
• J.V’s
• Local Directories / Phonebooks

Theme Related Pages
• Directories / Data Providers
• Social Networking Groups and Sites

• Authoritive Exposure

Systems for Measurement and Correction
 Claimed Listings
 KW Rankings
 KW Strategy
 Competitive Research
 Citation Acquisition Strategy

May be the age of the sites playing a role in these rankings. Old sites some how out shy the new ones too much.

Try to rank with a video,,
especially if your niche is dance, it good think then
show them what you got (the dance), bring good keyword to snipe

also you put them in local directories
there are many that free listing