When it comes to local search, internet marketers must be privy to the top three factors influencing rankings: a combination of relevance, prominence, and (yes) distance. With respect to the latter, specifically, Google shares, “Distance considers how far each potential search result is from the location term used in a search. If a user doesn’t specify a location in their search, we’ll calculate distance based on what we do know about their location.”

So, I guess you’ll need to create a flying warehouse that uses drones for distribution, just like what’s in the works for Amazon? They have a patent for it—true story! While this is unfortunately a pipe dream at this point in time, you can focus on executing solid local SEO tactics so searchers can find you.

So, what else can you do to boost your competitive advantage with respect to not only your physical proximity to searchers but related factors as well? Let’s find out!

• A Physical Presence in the City Searched

  Google’s eased up on this one in recent years, much to the relief of SEO businesses everywhere. It makes sense that if a searcher executes a query in the city where you’re located, you come up in results. At the same time, what if you’re in a different suburb but physically closer than a similar business located in the suburb where the search happens?

Google accounts for this more effectively when searchers search. Ideally, however, you have a physical address in the city searched.

• Link Quality
  
  Links have always packed a punch with respect to rankings. While they’ve lost some power over the years, they remain strong today and will in the future despite other factors.

Why?

Links simply vouch for your website’s quality. Get a link from The New York Times, and you look awesome. Earn a link from a porn site, and that’s another story altogether. The more links you get from other quality sites, the better. After all, Google assumes only good sites link to other good sites.

• Citation Consistency
  
  A “citation” is a mention of your NAP (name, address, phone number) information. You must be consistent with this…to the letter! If your address is “123 Fake St.,” Google gets annoyed if you so much as say “123 Fake Street” instead.

It’s therefore imperative to decide on ONE way to mention your address and then use only that information. If you a subsequent change arises, you must return to all websites where it’s mentioned to request a corresponding edit.

This is kind of a pain but unfortunately the reality of today’s local SEO.

That’s Far from All…

These are just some of the most important local search ranking factors, yet not a complete list. Check out more related information from the SEO experts at Moz here: Local Search Ranking Factors – What Are They? – Moz

Here’s to high rankings!