Local SEO (Google Maps)
When Google shows a map pack, it lists only three businesses, plus one possible ad. If you are not in the top three, you do not show up there at all.
Search Engine Optimization
Portside Marketing Delivers Search Engine Optimization That Gets You Found
Getting found on Google Maps or in the organic listings decides who gets the business. Search is one of the most effective ways to reach customers right at their time of need, when they are looking for what you offer.
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Why rankings matter
Why the Top 3 Search Positions Win the Business
Being on page one is nice, but positions one to three on the search results page get almost 95% of all traffic. The attention span of a searcher is rarely more than three results deep: if they find what they need in the top three, they are unlikely to look any further.
That is why we work toward top 3 positioning for as many keywords as possible. We often warn our customers: once we turn on the fire hose, we cannot turn it off, so be prepared. That is how effective SEO can be for a small business.
- Top 3 positions on Google Maps and the organic listings
- As many keywords as possible in every keyword cluster
- A steady stream of customers who are ready to buy
Local and organic SEO
Local SEO and Organic SEO: Two Ways to Show Up
Most searches return two kinds of results, plus ads. Where your business appears, how many times, and how the listing looks all matter.
Organic SEO
Google shows organic listings on every search, normally below the map pack. Many searches show no map pack, so the top three organic spots are the only way to be seen.
Showing up in both result types is the goal. Many SEO companies focus on one and ignore the other. We aim to saturate the results with your brand, for as many keywords as possible.
Keyword strategy
Google Ranks Pages, Not Keywords
Type a search one way, then another, and you may see different results. That is why SEO takes care: a good SEO company goes after as many keyword variations as possible in each keyword cluster.
Each page we optimize owns one clear topic and the cluster of searches around it. Getting more searches to point to each page can increase traffic and results exponentially.
Our SEO process
How We Get You to the Top 3
Every campaign starts with a look at your market and builds from there.
Market Analysis
A complimentary analysis of your market and how fast we can reach the top 3.
Keyword Clusters
The searches your customers use, grouped by the page that should win them.
Pages and Structure
Clear, focused pages and site structure Google can understand.
Maps and Organic
Working both result types so your brand shows up more than once.
Results you can see
Results You Can Check in Google
We do this for our own business first. Portside Marketing ranks in the map pack and at the top of the organic results for web design searches, and is ranked #1 for over 4,000 key phrases, local and organic.
When search was young, we held seven results on one page of Google for a single client. Today, three is typically the most you can achieve, so the best use of an SEO budget is making the most of the map pack and the organic listings together.
Proof in the search results
Portside Marketing in Google’s Map Pack and Organic Results
Technical SEO
A Website Structure Search Engines Understand
Rankings start with the website itself. Clear page hierarchy, internal links that make sense, fast loading and mobile-friendly pages help Google understand what each page is about and who it is for.
- One clear topic for every page
- Logical internal linking
- Fast, mobile-friendly pages
- Structured data that describes your business
“Lisa and Portside Marketing are simply the best. Our new website looks fantastic and is ranked #1 for 100’s of keywords in our area. If you need a great web developer, look no further. They were the best web designers near me and did a great job.”Brad Williams, Clear Choice Pool Care
SEO questions
Search Engine Optimization FAQ
What is the difference between local SEO and organic SEO?
Local SEO is about Google Maps: the map pack shows only three businesses plus one possible ad. Organic SEO is about the regular listings Google shows on every search, usually below the map pack. For most companies both are equally important.
Why do the top 3 positions matter so much?
Positions one to three on the search results page get almost 95% of all traffic. Searchers rarely look past the first three results.
Should I focus on Google Maps or organic listings?
Both. Showing up in both result types is the goal, and focusing on one over the other is a strategy we avoid.
Why do different searches show different results?
Every keyword search produces different results, so we go after as many keyword variations as possible in each keyword cluster. Google ranks pages, not keywords.
Can my business take over a whole page of Google?
Not anymore. A decade ago we held seven results on one page for a client. Today three results is typically the most you can achieve.
How do I get started?
Schedule a strategy session for a complimentary market analysis of how fast we can get you into the top 3 results.
Get a Complimentary Market Analysis
Find out how fast we can get your business into the top 3 search results.