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The following post outlines how to optimize your Google My Business cover photo. Remember that Google My Business 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. 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

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, appearing on the first page when users search for a local-intent query. Furthermore, Map-Packs appear above regular organic listings.

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

Image Dimensions

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. 

While you can upload other sizes like 854 x 480, 1024 x 576 is good 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 2 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, making your storefront your cover photo may be helpful, 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 in 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.

Next Steps for GMB Optimization

Attending to all aspects of your Google Business Profile is integral to the Local SEO Process. This includes optimizing your Google My Business cover photo.

However, no single task can fully optimize your Local SEO presence. Instead, the combination of multiple optimization efforts will separate you from your nearby competitors.

Check out our YouTube channel to learn more about how DataPins can help optimize your business profile.

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.

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

At DataPins, we don’t expect you to take our word for it, which is why we’ll provide insightful data on the power of Local SEO for Florida-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— those in which the user specifies a geographic location —lead to purchases.

Likewise, people who use their computers or mobile devices to search for a service or business near them will purchase from 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 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 whole story, since over half of all search queries come from hidden terms, it raises doubts about the impact of zip codes in SEO titles.

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

3) AI Overviews are Appearing for 68% of Local Queries

When Google introduced AI Overviews into its search engine results pages, some predicted these would only appear for national terms.

However, that his proven not to be the case with AI Overviews now appearing for 68% of local queries.

Florida-based businesses should now optimize their websites to secure mentions within these AI Overviews, as these will drive more customers to your business in non-traditional ways.

For example, a user may choose your company based on an AI-generated answer from Google despite never being tracked as an organic visit via Google Search Console.

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

It’s great 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 a chance if they can’t find information online. 

The fact of the matter is that the internet is how people conduct 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 from one of your local competitors. 

Essentially, if you don’t optimize your site for local searches, you won’t 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.

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 the Google Maps app and typed in a category, such as restaurants, malls, or gas stations? We’ll 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.

Many SEO experts have examined the myth that GPS photo tags influence Google Maps rankings. Extensive tests and research have repeatedly shown that geotagging photos has zero impact on search results.

Google strips the EXIF data from the image as soon as it’s uploaded, so any location data added to the image file is immediately erased.

However, don’t confuse GPS photo tags with other SEO techniques, such as schema markup and geo-signaling, which can, in fact, influence rankings.

Local businesses tend to misunderstand the distinction between tagging an image file’s EXIF data and inserting a schema markup property called geo into a schema markup type called place onto a website.

The confusion is understandable, especially for business owners lacking SEO and digital marketing expertise. However, people must educate themselves on the subject to avoid misinformation.

What is Image Geo-Tagging?

Geo-tagging, also known as GPS photo tags, involves inserting location information into an image’s file data. The actual tags are the photo’s location information. 

For instance, one might geotag a photo by inputting latitude, longitude, and altitude information into the EXIF data of a given image.

The user might then upload the geotagged photo to their Google Business Profile, hoping to provide Google with more information about the picture’s location.

People must understand that geotagging images does not influence rankings and is a complete waste of time.

SEO Alternatives To Geo-Tagging

While geotags don’t impact SEO, there are alternative techniques that are proven to influence local search rankings when adequately implemented.

For example, schema markup for location-specific information can influence rankings when combined with on-page SEO fundamentals.

Tools like DataPins automate this process by applying schema markup to “pins” on your website.

As a result, each completed job is converted into consolidated local SEO signals that include various kinds of schema markup along with image and text-based location context.

Schema Pins

Schema pins are pieces of unique map data, in schema form, generated by the DataPins app.

Just like with GPS photo tags, the basic principle is to create unique, location-oriented content for your website—or, as today’s post emphasizes, your Google My Business page.

The difference is that Schema Pins influence rankings. 

With the DataPins app, you can take a picture of the worksite, enter the location information, and have unique image and map content published to the relevant sections of your Google My Business page.

Schema pins display the service’s location on the map. Unfortunately, some confusion remains regarding schema pins and their relationship to geotags (there is none).

However, misinformation is floating around on YouTube and other forums, contributing to this topic’s bewilderment.

Schema pins differ from “geo-tagging” by injecting schema markup for specific geo-coordinates, not within the image file but within a separate code block, as Google’s requested form of structured data.

Google Maps Embedding

Another alternative to geotagging images is embedding Google Maps onto website pages, including Contact Us, Home, or City pages.

Google makes it easy for users to embed a map onto their website by providing a unique HTML code that can be copied and pasted into a custom WordPress element.

When combined with proper on-page SEO practices, embedded Google Maps are shown to contribute to Google Maps SEO.

GPS Photo Tagging Study

In one study conducted over one month, GPS photo tagging had a negligible effect on search engine rankings.

The study targeted 16 different keywords and involved 18 unique posts, each with its own geotagged image.

The study concluded that six keywords dropped in rankings (2 were actually displaced to the 51st position or lower), nine didn’t change at all, and only three improved rankings (based on factors unrelated to the geotags).

Schema Pins Study

Schema Pins helped a local plumbing company reach an organic search discovery rate between 84% and 87%.

Schema Pins continually added fresh content to Molberg Plumbing LLC’s Google My Business page. After a year of use, Customer reviews for the company also tripled across multiple platforms.

While some still insist that GPS photo tags for Google My Business can help increase online exposure, the impact of Schema Pins is backed up by raw data rather than industry gossip. 

How Schema Pins Impact Rankings

Schema pins influence search rankings by adding relevant content to a business website and increasing the frequency of customer reviews, both of which are confirmed ranking factors.

With the DataPins app, once a pin is added, a text with a link to a page where the customer can leave a review is automatically sent to them.

Studies show that this automated review request process is more effective than other methods for getting customer reviews. 

Final Verdict: Can Geotagging Photos Impact Ranking?

Geotagging photos cannot impact Google Maps rankings. Upon upload, Google Business Profile strips the image’s location data, meaning any information added to the file is immediately removed.

Furthermore, Google Business Profile would not use the data for ranking purposes, even if it did remain attached to the image file (it doesn’t).

While this tactic is unanimously disproven, some people confuse it with other local SEO techniques that do impact rankings, such as inserting schema markups like geo and place onto a website.

The DataPins tool automates this process for you, consolidating your job information into SEO signals for Google ranking purposes.