How to Get on the First Page of Google With Your Local Business

1

Introduction

Nobody searches for 'SEO'. What business owners do search for is: how do I get on the first page of Google? How do I make sure customers find me and not my competitor? That's logical, because if you're not on page 1, you don't exist for most people. Only 0.63% of searchers click through to page 2. This article shows you step by step how to get to the top of Google as a local business. No complicated techniques, just practical steps you can take today.

2

Why the first page of Google makes such a difference

Imagine someone searches for 'plumber in Antwerp' or 'hair salon Rotterdam'. Where do they click? The first results. The #1 result on Google gets an average of 27.6% of all clicks. The top 3 together? A total of 54.4%. And page 2? Almost nobody clicks there. For local businesses this is even more significant. Google shows a map with three businesses for local searches: the Local Pack. If you're not in there, you miss an enormous stream of potential customers.

3

How does Google decide who ranks at the top?

Google uses three main factors to determine which local businesses appear at the top. First: relevance. Does your business match what someone is searching for? The better your profile is filled in, the better Google understands what you offer. Second: distance. How close is your business to the person searching? You have little influence on this, making your other signals even more important. Third: prominence. How well-known and trustworthy is your business online? This is determined by your reviews, online presence and how active your profile is.

4

Why reviews are one of the fastest ways to rank higher on Google

Of all factors, reviews are the one you have the most control over. And the results are the most direct. More reviews, a higher average score and consistent recent reviews all boost your Google ranking. Google has confirmed that reviews are one of the main ranking factors for the local pack.

5

Optimise your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility

Your Google Business Profile is your most important tool for local visibility. Check our free Google Business Profile Checklist to ensure everything is optimised.

6

Summary

Getting on the first page of Google is not magic — it's a combination of a well-optimised profile, consistent reviews and active presence. Start today with the steps in this article and you'll see results within weeks. Use RecensioAI to automate the process and get to the top faster.