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The traditional form of Local SEO for garage door installation companies is obsolete in 2024.

Mass-producing generic service pages or city pages won’t help your business stand out on Search.

Google does not care about word count or total number of pages.

They care primarily about one thing: E-E-A-T.

What is E-E-A-T for Garage Door Installation Companies?

E-E-A-T is experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

Experience: First-hand involvement in garage door installations

Expertise: Vast knowledge of the nuances of garage door installations

Authoritativeness: Respect and acknowledgment from residents and industry peers

Trustworthiness: Credible and reliable when providing garage door information

Read Google’s Document on E-E-A-T

How to Demonstrate E-E-A-T for Garage Door Installation Companies

To demonstrate E-E-A-T, you need a software tool called DataPins.

This software app was built for E-E-A-T.

DataPins takes your jobs and converts them into E-E-A-T signals, including:

• Geo-coordinates
• Schema markup
• Unique images
• Unique captions
• Mini-Maps

DataPins allows you to showcase recent jobs with relevant digital signaling.

None of your private information is publicized; it is only information that helps market your business and showcase E-E-A-T.

Why SEO Doesn’t Work for Garage Door Installation Businesses

SEO doesn’t work unless you rank on Google Maps and Google Search for service-based keywords.

Most blog posts about garage door installation don’t rank, and the ones that rank don’t convert.

In fact, 96.5% of blog posts get zero traffic.

SEO strategies that rely on blog traffic don’t build businesses or drive results.

When a local garage SEO campaign fails, an over-emphasis on blogging is typically the culprit.

Local Keywords for Garage Door Companies

A “keyword” is merely something a real person types into Google.

Keyword tools are based on obsolete data and are more of an estimate than a full-proof measurement.

That’s why Google Search Console doesn’t recognize over 50% of queries for local contractor websites.

They are for terms that Google doesn’t have in their system, which means they are hidden or long-tail terms.

Everyone is different, just like your customers.

Don’t rely on estimated keyword volume to inform your local targeting.

Link Building for Garage Door Installers

Backlinks have always been a point of contention in the SEO industry for various reasons.

While professionals can argue over the impact of link building, we will simply provide you with objective facts.

First of all, most links violate Google’s guidelines.

Secondly, most links don’t work.

Here are some link strategies that will help your SEO campaign.

1. Submit your company to local directories.
2. Wait for people to link to your brand.

Organic links are helpful for rankings, but they require taking a long-term view of your online presence.

The SEO Foundation

The only essential element of SEO is to get your website crawled.

If Google cannot crawl your website, you cannot appear in search.

Luckily, Google is really good at crawling websites.

Make sure your pages are indexed before moving on to other SEO tasks

Google Business Profile

For local SEO, your Google Business Profile is essential.

Why? Google Business Profiles are needed to rank on Google Maps.

Google Maps is where over 50% of your traffic will come from.

Let me cut to the chase: Create a Google Business Profile (if you haven’t already)

Google Reviews

Another SEO essential of Google Business Profiles is Google Reviews.

Most customers will only call a business with at least ten reviews.

So start getting more Google Reviews.

Use DataPins to send automated requests to your customers.

If somebody leaves a negative review, who cares?

The goal is to get so many reviews that a few bad ones don’t matter.

You can always respond to a bad review (but stay professional) – as other prospective customers will read your response.

Content Strategy is Misleading

Content for local garage door companies is really about building trust.

You cannot build trust with a boring blog post.

As we noted earlier, 96.5% of blog posts get zero traffic.

The best way to build trust is to showcase recent jobs and reviews.

This way, visitors can see like-minded customers who’ve experienced your services first-hand.

Local City Pages for SEO

Mass-producing city pages that proudly violate Google’s public guidelines.

The last thing the internet needs is more cookie-cutter, near-duplicate content that serves as nothing more than doorway pages to mislead visitors.

Conversely, DataPins users show evidence of real jobs they did for real customers.

The Purpose of Garage Door Installation Websites for SEO

In 2024, a website aims to demonstrate E-E-A-T and power your Google Maps rankings via your Google Business Profile.

Your website is not an Encyclopedia Britannica; nobody wants to read boring blog posts.

When you show visitors that you can install their garage door, they send better user signals.

Guide Conclusion

As a garage door installation company, you want to get new customers.

You can get new customers with E-E-A-T and a Google Business Profile.

While using old-school tactics like blogging and links is tempting, demonstrating E-E-A-T works best.

The DataPins app allows businesses to showcase recent jobs and gather customer reviews on Google and other platforms.

By consolidating these user signals into prominent SEO information, DataPins helps your website stand out.

Call us today to learn how DataPins can power your garage door installation company.

The traditional methods of Local SEO for Service Area Businesses have become obsolete.

SABs have been grappling with the daunting task of ranking in cities beyond their main address, a notably challenging feat on Google Maps.

Because SABs don’t have a storefront, they travel to different service areas for their jobs.

Regrettably, their challenges were exacerbated by despicable marketers who constructed 100-page websites of no value for their company.

Google doesn’t care about your blog post, backlinks, or word count.

The only thing Google cares about is a concept called E-E-A-T.

Key Takeaway

Service Area Businesses (SABs) must transition to the new Local SEO method, E-E-A-T.

What is E-E-A-T for Service Area Businesses?

E-E-A-T stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

Experience: First-hand involvement in your trade (HVAC, plumbing, etc.)

Expertise: Unique knowledge of the nuances of your trade

Authoritativeness: Credibility from residents and industry peers

Trustworthiness: Reliable information and sources

It’s really a simple concept for SABs because it’s about building credibility as a business.

Read Google’s Document on E-E-A-T

How SABs Can Show E-E-A-T

Service Area Businesses can demonstrate E-E-A-T with a software tool called DataPins.

When your business uses DataPins to showcase recent work, the appropriate data is converted into pins.

Pins consolidate the following E-E-A-T signals:

• Geo-coordinates
• Schema markup
• Unique images
• Unique captions
• Mini-Maps

Of course, DataPins does not use private or privileged information in pins; it only uses information that can be shared with the public.

Ranking Outside Your Main City With Local SEO

Marketing gurus have tried every method to trick Google into ranking SABs in multiple cities.

For example, mass-producing city pages on SAB websites is a common tactic for old-school marketers.

This method violates Google’s guidelines on doorway pages.

The tactic also doesn’t work well because the conversion rate of these pages is low, as visitors notice the spam-like qualities of the page.

New Solution?

The most responsible way to rank cities outside of your service area is with Datapins.

Pins contain geo-coordinates from your jobs, which are then published on your website.

While you won’t outrank businesses on Google Maps with a verified address in those surrounding cities, you can overtake companies without an address.

Best of all, you can convert website visitors with unique photos of real jobs in those areas.

A Superior Local SEO Alternative

For most Local SEO agencies, the answer to every problem is more pages, content, links, and listings.

As you’ve probably noticed, each item comes with a price, often a monthly recurring one.

Spending Less, Ranking More

You now have E-E-A-T prominently displayed on your website, outranking competitors with 500-page websites.

Their service page, “Central AC Repair in Evergreen, CO,” is drowned out by thousands of other websites and does not rank in Google’s Map 3-Pack.

You are ranking in both because you show E-E-A-T.

And you are doing it at a much cheaper price.

Local Link Building Dangers

In most cases, building local links violates Google’s guidelines on link spam.

The exceptions are nofollow links from directories and social media pages when you submit your business citation.

1. Think about directories like Yelp, Angi, and BBB.
2. Think about social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

These links are all safe to build for service area businesses.

However, any link that requires an “agreement,” whether for money or not, violates Google’s guidelines.

The Problem With Large Local Websites

Large local websites won’t work well in 2024.

For example, a 500-page plumbing company website undoubtedly features spam.

Unfortunately, the joke is on them as Google has grown more intelligent.

Google’s Helpful Content Update targets contractor websites with this kind of spam.

One-page websites demonstrating E-E-A-T are the best option for SABs in 2024.

Local SEO Strategies That Still Work in 2024

While most Local SEO tactics are obsolete, a few remain essential.

These are Google Business Profiles (GMB) and Google Reviews.

Google Business Profiles

Google Business Profiles remain an essential component of Local SEO.

As a service area business, Google Business Profiles can be frustrating.

However, you must create a Google Business Profile to appear on Google Maps or Google Maps 3-Pack.

SABs tend to rank lower than listings that show their address.

You can solve this by listing your address publicly (as long as it’s an actual address with signage).

Google Reviews

Accumulating Google Reviews also remains an essential Local SEO component in 2024.

The DataPins tool allows you to send automated review requests through text and email.

Reviews are a direct ranking factor on Google Maps and increase conversions.

In addition, Google Reviews can be showcased on your website to convert visitors.

You might occasionally receive a negative review, but most customers expect a few bad ones.

The goal is to acquire as many legitimate reviews as possible to increase your E-E-A-T.

Guide Conclusion

Local SEO for service area businesses can be frustrating when using old-school strategies that no longer generate leads in today’s digital landscape.

While tactics like optimizing Google Business Profiles and acquiring Google Reviews remain essential to ranking locally, most methods, such as mass-producing city pages, increasing word count, and building local links, don’t work.

The answer in 2024 is E-E-A-T, which you can demonstrate with a software app called Datapins.

It’s no secret that Florida businesses can benefit from search engine optimization in 2024.

However, a hyper-local focus on specific cities and regions within Florida is what separates good marketing campaigns from great marketing campaigns.

At DataPins, we don’t expect you to take our word for this, which is why we will provide insightful data on the power of Local SEO for Florda-based businesses.

Google implemented the Pigeon update in 2014. Over the past ten years, how search engine optimization tactics work has shifted.

The update allows local businesses to reach more consumers in their immediate area. However, small companies have been slow to take advantage of it.

Business owners should reference these local SEO statistics in Florida when allocating their marketing budget.

This post aims to impress Florida business owners with the importance of local SEO and how it can benefit your bottom line. 

1) 78% of local searches lead to purchases

According to at least one study, 78% of local searches (searches wherein the user specifies a geographic location) lead to purchases. Likewise, someone looking for a service or business near them on their computer or mobile device will purchase with that business 78% of the time. 

Local searches commonly have purchasing intent, which is why local SEO is so powerful. You are essentially putting your business in front of pre-qualified leads who are ready to purchase. All you have to do is be available to them. 

2) Only 22% of zip code queries register search volume

Marketing agencies have long been testing and promoting various Local SEO theories to attract new clients. One long-standing claim is that inserting zip codes within an SEO title increases its performance.

Unfortunately, a study found that only 22% of zip code + service queries register any search volume in keyword research tools.

While this doesn’t tell the full story – since over half of all search queries come from hidden terms – it casts doubt on the impact of zip codes within SEO titles.

While zip codes are more of a spam-like technique, using branded digital signaling like geo-coordinates from your recent Florida-based jobs is a great way to increase the local relevance of your web pages.

3) Local queries have increased 34 times since 2011

One of the most common phrases for local searches is “near me.” People are constantly using this phrase to find local businesses and services.

For example, someone might search for “pizza places near me” or “mechanics near me.” And according to Google, the frequency of “near me” searches has ballooned over the past few years. 

Many people use “near me” searches to find local businesses and services. You have probably done one yourself!

4) Over 50% of “Near Me” Searchers Visit The Location

It’s all well and good to have your business visible online. But what percent of people who see your business on a local search will come in and visit your physical location?

Well, according to Florida local SEO statistics, more than 50%. So, over half of the people who find your business through a local search will visit your brick-and-mortar location. 

Getting people’s foot in the door is essential for most businesses. This statistic shows that local SEO can help. 

5) 62% of consumers disregard businesses with no online presence

What can happen if you don’t have an online presence or don’t optimize your site for local searches? According to one survey, 62% of consumers won’t even give a business the time of day if they cannot find information online. 

The fact of the matter is that the internet is the way that people do consumer research. Suppose a consumer can’t get the answers to their questions about your business by looking it up online.

In that case, they will likely purchase with one of your local competitors. 

Essentially, if you don’t optimize your site for local searches, you aren’t going to be visible to local consumers. 

6) 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations

Part of optimizing for local searches is getting reviews for your business. Here at Datapins, we provide an accessible software suite that helps you get more reviews and leverage your existing reviews to get more leads. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

The main point is that 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as in-person references. 

More than that, most consumers need to read at least one online review before making a purchase decision. Online reviews are an essential part of your off-site optimization – meaning there are ways to get more web traffic outside your website. Getting reviews and managing them will generate more leads. 

7) 86% of consumers report using Google Maps to find local businesses

Have you ever opened up the Google Maps app and typed in a category like restaurants, malls, or gas stations? We’re going to assume you answered “yes” to that question.

We’re confident in that assumption because 86% of consumers use Google Maps to find local businesses. 

When you search for anything in Google Maps, it will show you the closest matching results. And with so many consumers using the app to perform these kinds of searches, it’s clear to see how important local SEO is.

For business owners, it’s a valuable tool that allows you to gain more leads through a service that people already use. 

8) 46% of all Google searches include location

Google is a top global resource for information ranging from news to entertainment. However, despite its wide-ranging coverage, nearly half of all Google searches contain location information.

As a result, the number of local searches that occur on Google is revealing for Florida businesses.

When Florida consumers need services from a roofing company or HVAC contractor, they primarily go to Google to find them. Whether it’s the Local Map 3-Pack or traditional organic results, the companies ranking in these spots will generate the most business.

How To Use These Local SEO Statistics

The statistics outlined in this post reveal how Local SEO is one of the best investments a business owner can make. Whether operating from a large city like Orlando or a smaller town like Altamonte Springs, Local SEO for Floridians can be a game-changer for your small business.

Check out DataPins: The Map-Ranking App to automate your Florida Local SEO strategy.

Map Pack SEO is critical for local businesses in 2024. The Map Pack appears on top of search results for most local queries, making it prime digital real estate for companies looking to generate local leads online. 

However, most people don’t know that Map Pack SEO is based on a separate Google algorithm. Therefore, improving your position on Google Maps requires different strategies than you would use for a website.

Here are seven tips to boost Map Pack rankings:

1) Optimize Your Google Business Profile

The first and most important thing you must do is get listed on Google Business Profile. If you don’t, you have no chance of ranking in the Google Map Pack.

Getting set up is free, though you will have to go through a verification process, which you can get started here. 

Once you are listed, start loading up your profile with a concise description of your business, the areas you service, the services you offer, your hours of operation, and accurate contact information.

Don’t forget to include a link to your main website. 

Bonus Tip: Stay Consistent with GBP Updates

Once you have everything set up, don’t just leave your profile idle. Instead, try to update it as often as possible. For example, if your company just started servicing a new area, add it to your profile.

In addition, people will be able to leave reviews of your business on your Google Business Profile, so be sure to respond to those reviews as much as possible. 

Keep in mind that Google loves fresh content, so keep your Business Profile up to date as much as possible. You can add Google Posts automatically using the DataPins Local SEO tool.

Your Google Business Profile directly impacts map pack rankings in 2024.

2) Add Local Content to Your Website

Standard SEO overlaps with Map Pack SEO via local website content. However, to utilize this method, you must include your website URL within your Google Business Profile under the website field.

Once you’ve connected your website to your Google Business Profile, it can begin influencing your Map Pack rankings via web content.

Bonus Tip: Connect a Local Landing Page to Your Business Listing

For example, adding a local landing page or a service page can increase your rankings on Google Maps for related queries.

This is because Google associates your website’s content with your Google Business Profile.

For example, let’s say you run a plumbing business in Akron, Ohio.

Whenever someone searches for plumbers in Akron, Google will crawl websites associated with nearby map listings, searching for plumbing-related information.

3) Submit Citation Listings

Your NAP (name, address, and phone number) is like a digital ID for your local business. Citations help verify and disseminate that identification.

Directories like Yelp and Angi and social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn create NAP citations for your local business.

Off-page citations are any mention of your business or website anywhere other than your own website. The more of these citations you have, the more signs you have pointing to your website.

As a result, Google trusts your business listing and may rank it higher on the Map Pack.

4) Install DataPins

DataPins is a Local SEO tool that increases Map Pack rankings with schema markup, geo-coordinates, and user-generated content.

In addition, DataPins publishes social proof on your local business website, which contributes to your Google Business Profile rankings.

The best part about DataPins is that it auto-generates local web content based on your job and location.

So once you take a photo of your job and write a short caption via the mobile app, the software does the rest by publishing the pin to the correct page.

Each time you submit a pin, another geo-coordinate and mini-map appear on one of your pages, and your Map Pack rankings have a chance to increase.

Pins consolidate multiple Local SEO signals to help boost your Google Map Pack rankings.

5) Publish City Pages

City pages are another way to boost Map Pack rankings in 2024. One of the most challenging things to do is rank on Google Maps outside your primary service area.

Using local landing pages combined with DataPins, you give yourself a chance.

Let’s say you operate a roofing company in Fort Worth, Texas. Showing up on the Map Pack in Fort Worth is relatively straightforward.

However, showing up in nearby cities like Southlake and Grapevine requires publishing individual city pages.

Bonus Tip: Ensure Unique Content for Location Pages

The key to creating successful city pages is writing unique and locally-driven content.

Unfortunately, most websites use duplicate content for their city pages and swap out the city name.

Google’s algorithm is far too sophisticated to provide you credit for duplicate content pages.

6) Build Local Links

Local links also influence Map Pack rankings for local businesses. As a result, many companies wonder whether they should build links to their Google Business Profile or their website.

Of course, the answer is your website.

We’ve already outlined how Google can associate your website URL with your Google Business Listing. As a result, the links pointing to your website will also influence your Google Maps rankings. 

Aside from the apparent SEO benefit, building links to your website ensures that you own the digital property.

For example, if you were to build links to your profile that were suspended, those links would be rendered useless.

7) Be Aware of Your Map Marker

The most overlooked Map Pack SEO ranking factor is your map marker. Spoiler alert, Google Maps is an actual interactive map with markers for every business listing.

Even service area businesses with hidden addresses have a map marker on Google Maps’ internal mapping system.

As a result, your physical location will directly influence your rankings.

If your office address is in a prime location of a central metropolitan area, your listing will receive many more impressions than a business located on the outskirts.

Google’s proximity ranking factor is very significant.

Bonus Tip: Consider Moving Your Business Location

While you can’t manipulate your map marker, you always have the option to move your office to a better location.

Once you re-verify your business via postcard, Google will move your map marker to your new location. 

8) Get More Google Reviews

Last but not least, get as many Google reviews as possible. Use a tool like DataPins to automate review requests through SMS and email reminders.

In addition, ask all of your customers personally after finishing a job. The majority of consumers will submit feedback if requested multiple times.

The number of reviews on your profile absolutely influences rankings.

For example, searching for seattle hvac company will show you that nobody with fewer than 100 reviews ranks on the Map 3-Pack.

Bonus Tip: Respond to Reviews

While review frequency is important, always make sure the feedback is legitimate.

You will get a few negative reviews on Google as you gather more customer reviews. When you notice a negative comment, reply professionally and attempt to resolve the issue offline.

Customers will often remove the review or change it to a positive one.

Generating consistent reviews on your Google Business Profile contributes to Google Maps rankings.

Next Steps for Map-Pack SEO

The DataPins app was designed to rank your local business in Google’s Local Map 3-Pack.

As a result, installing the software on your website will give you an immediate chance to increase your rankings.

Meanwhile, there are several things you can do to continue to expand your presence on Maps.

For example, ask your customers for reviews in person, in addition to the automated email request from the DataPins app.

You can also build partnerships with other local organizations to improve your backlink profile.

Combining DataPins with these additional steps turns your local business into a Map-Pack SEO powerhouse.

The following post outlines how to optimize your Google My Business cover photo. Remember that Google My Bsuiness is now called Google Business Profile, but the same steps apply. Most local businesses understand the importance of an optimized Google Business Profile listing and want to take every step to enhance their profile in 2023. A strong cover photo can help achieve this.

Why are Google Business Cover Photos Important?

The quality, size, and message that your Google Business Profile cover photo sends will impact how many people click on your business profile. Google Business Profile listings appear on the local map pack. The map pack is typically the top result people see when searching for a local business, product, or service.

You want to make a good impression as your Google Business Profile cover photo is likely the first interaction a new (or potential) customer will have with your business. 

Steps to Optimize Your GBP Cover Photo

It’s not so much that your cover photo is crucial as it is your Google Business Profile is essential. Your GBP listing is hugely important to your search engine rankings because Google will prioritize its own services as often as possible. 

As a result, a Google Maps listing will appear on the first page of a Search Engine Result Page(s) (SERP). The Google Map Pack is the most frequently indexed SERP feature, as it appears on the first page of 30% of all SERPs. Furthermore, Map-Packs appear above regular organic listings.

Below, we outline ways to optimize your Google My Business cover photo.

Image Dimensions

First thing first: you must have a good image size for your photo. It used to be that Google would require a 16:9 aspect ratio image for your Google Business Profile cover photo. While that is not the case anymore, and they offer more leeway, they implemented that requirement for a reason: it’s a good size aspect ratio for the sizes of images displayed on GBP listings. 

If you want to know the ideal image size for your GBP cover photo, it’s 1024 x 576. While you can upload other sizes like 854 x 480, 1024 x 576 is a good size because it’s small enough not to slow down your listing loading time but not too small to be a poor resolution. 

Remember that the searcher will see only a small image when your listing comes up, so choose a good one while remembering that they can see more photos if they click through. While you will probably need to play around with the dimensions of your picture to land on the perfect size, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Load Time Affects Rankings: You never want your image to slow down your listing’s loading time. Remember that Google recommends a load time of 3 seconds or faster, so make sure your picture is not so big that it loads slowly.
• Quality Matters: You should always have an HD image as your Google My Business cover photo. Poor quality, blurry, fuzzy, or off-center images speak of unprofessionalism or carelessness. 
• Storefront Images: If you have a storefront business, it may be helpful to make your storefront your cover photo as it will quickly let people know what your storefront looks like if they are physically searching for it. 

File Format

Google also gives you a choice of which format or file type of image to upload. For example, you can choose between PNG or JPG. Here is a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of both:

• PNG: PNG images tend to be a higher resolution, but their file sizes are larger. The bigger size makes them look good but can cause them to load slowly. 
• JPG: JPG images can be compressed, so the file sizes tend to be smaller and load quicker. 

The quality of a JPG can be compromised by compression. However, by and large, they still offer an adequate resolution for a Google Business Profile cover photo, so our overall recommendation would be JPG. 

File Size

You will need to stay within the file size parameters of 10kb and 5MB, but this shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you stay within the 480 x 270 and 2120 x 1192 resolution range.

Google will notify you if your file exceeds its size limit and prompt you to choose a different cover photo or temporarily leave it blank. In addition, you can use image-editing software like GIMP to reduce file sizes.

Image Guidelines

Also, you should ensure that your Google Business Profile cover photo is devoid of filters that drastically alter the appearance of your image. Google doesn’t like business owners misrepresenting their stores, products, or services with doctored photos. 

Of course, it can be tricky to know how much photo alteration is too much, but as a general rule of thumb, you should stick to only tweaking saturation levels and brightness. 

If you go overboard with the doctoring or upload an image that doesn’t comply with Google’s requirements, they may replace your image with their own selection.

By using DataPins, you can consistently upload new unique photos to your GBP listing.