SMX Overtime: Here’s why optimizing images in Google My Business is important
SEO pro Greg Gifford explains why professionally shot, high-res photos will win over user-uploaded photos if you take the time to manage it right.
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Greg Gifford's latest articles
Google My Business phone support has ended, but help from the experts has not
Google's social media channels are reported to be helpful as well as connecting with local search pros.
Are you getting credit for all of your organic visits from GMB?
Getting credit for all of your Google My Business clicks can be a challenge. Contributor Greg Gifford shares a solution to this GMB attribution problem.
It’s time to change your SEO reports!
SEO reports are often really useful... for SEO professionals. Columnist Greg Gifford asserts that if you want to truly prove the value of your services to your clients, you have to tie your reports directly to their bottom line.
Target the right keywords — for Google AND your clients
Columnist Greg Gifford illustrates the importance of educating your clients on different types of keywords and when to target them.
An easy quarterly plan for local link building
Looking to build links for your local business? In this helpful how-to piece, columnist Greg Gifford outlines his process for finding and acquiring local links.
SMX Advanced session: Mobile-First For The Advanced SEO
How can websites prepare for the mobile-first index? Columnist Greg Gifford recaps a session from SMX Advanced dealing with the impending rollout of Google's new index, which prioritizes mobile content over desktop.
Stop overloading your Local SEO content!
Developing content for your local business website is clearly important for search engine optimization, but that doesn't mean that more content is always better. Columnist Greg Gifford explains and suggests an alternative strategy.
Be a mad scientist to be more successful in local SEO
The debate rages on over the authoritative set of local ranking factors, but columnist Greg Gifford believes that local SEOs on both sides of the fence may be missing the point.
SMX West session: Harnessing the power of online reviews
Columnist Greg Gifford recaps a session by Thomas Ballantyne about the value of online reviews, showing why businesses need to start thinking about them if they aren't already.
SMX West session: The definitive guide to local search ranking factors
What will help your local business stand out in Google search results? Contributor Greg Gifford recaps an SMX West presentation that took a comprehensive look at local search ranking factors.
Need to contact Google My Business support? Use Twitter!
While phone support may no longer be accessible if you need help with Google My Business, columnist Greg Gifford notes that social media support is available (and good!).
Let’s make 2017 the year of honest reviews!
Reviews can be an important part of a local SEO strategy, but columnist Greg Gifford warns that overdoing it can make your business look shady.
Local SEO is about so much more than tools
Tools can help us do our jobs more efficiently, but columnist Greg Gifford reminds us that they aren't meant to do our jobs for us.
As a local business, you have to own your own back yard
The grass may seem greener in neighboring markets, but columnist Greg Gifford explains that in order to compete there via local SEO, you need to have your own yard in order first.
Forget about unique content. Try actually BEING local!
Columnist Greg Gifford notes that when all your competitors have unique content, then that alone won't be enough to help you stand out from the crowd.
The secret to writing awesome local content
Great content is essential for success in local SEO, but unfortunately, a lot of local business websites are sorely lacking in this area. Columnist Greg Gifford shares his advice on how to write excellent website copy for local SEO.
The key to local SEO
Want to spend more time doing great work and less time putting out fires? Columnist Greg Gifford emphasizes the importance of client education in local SEO.
The most important question to ask in local SEO
Achieving outstanding local search results for your clients all comes down to one simple -- yet essential -- question. Columnist Greg Gifford explains how getting an authentic detailed answer will set you on the path to success.
Local SEO doesn’t happen in a vacuum
Columnist Greg Gifford shows that when it comes to retaining local SEO clients, setting expectations and providing education is key.
10 tips for avoiding shady SEO providers
Got a sneaking suspicion the SEO company you hired might not be legit? Columnist Greg Gifford shares his list of red flags to look out for.
10 Local Link Building Tips for 2016
Building links for local businesses often requires a different strategy from traditional link building. Columnist Greg Gifford offers actionable tips that you can put to use right now.
Forget Your Testimonials Page, 2016 Is The Year Of Reviews
Let's face it: Customers aren't reading your testimonials page. So what can you put in its place? Columnist Greg Gifford shares his ideas.
How To Get Google Review Links After The G+ Update
The recent update separating Google Business pages from Google + has left old review links broken, but columnist Greg Gifford shares how you can generate new ones.
Need Help Explaining Local Search? Use Pizza!
Many small business owners know that they need to invest in local search engine optimization (SEO), but most have no idea how it works -- So columnist Greg Gifford came up with this simple metaphor to help explain it.
6 Local Marketing Lessons Learned At Comic-Con
What can local business marketers learn from San Diego's largest convention? Columnist Greg Gifford explores.
Local Content Silos: The Secret To Local Search Success
Wondering how your multi-location business can achieve visibility in local search? Columnist Greg Gifford has the answer.
Problems With Google My Business? Use Phone Support!
Many who use Google My Business -- marketers included! -- aren't aware that phone support is available. Columnist Greg Gifford provides a step-by-step guide.
The Missing Link Building Tip For Local SEO
Links have become increasingly important for local search since Google's Pigeon algorithm update, but columnist Greg Gifford reminds us that local link building tactics differ from "traditional" ones in important ways.
Make Your Blog A Local Destination & Win At Local Search
Wondering what to do on your blog to help your Local SEO efforts? Columnist Greg Gifford lays out a game plan for local blogging success.
10 Common Mistakes To Avoid On Local Websites
Avoid the pitfalls that trip up many local business owners with these tips from columnist Greg Gifford.
Local SEO In 2015 – Look At The Big Picture
When you're doing Local SEO, columnist Greg Gifford reminds us, you must take a step back and look at the big picture if you want to be successful.
Close More Clients With A Quick Local Site Audit
We all know it — selling local SEO to clients is tough. After my “simple math” post back in October, I’ve gotten a ton of questions asking for more details about our sales process. As we all know, small business owners assume that their site is the best and that they should always rank at the […]
Simple Tips To Set The Stage For Local SEO In 2015
After Google's most recent local algorithm update, the rules have changed for local SEO. Columnist Greg Gifford discusses how you can do well in local search in 2015.
Simple Math To Show Potential Clients Why Local SEO Is Important
Local businesses sometimes have trouble understanding how they'd benefit from SEO. Columnist Greg Gifford shows how you can boil it down to the basics.
One Positive Pigeon Result: We Can Finally Ditch Ranking Reports
Break your (and your clients') dependence on ranking reports. Here are 5 metrics you should be focusing on instead.
Worried About Pigeon? Just Keep On Truckin’
Pigeon has rocked the local SEO world. How should we respond to Google's new local search algorithm update?
A Review Handout Alternative: Try P&P To Get More Local Reviews
Everyone knows how important reviews are — they factor in to the local algorithm and they play a huge part in click-throughs and building trust. Good reviews can make you, and bad reviews can break you… so businesses do everything they can to get positive reviews. Since Google doesn’t allow on-site reviews, we have to […]
Get Your Business To 100% In Google My Business
Last week, Google started rolling out the new Google My Business platform to much applause from the industry. Several experts have provided excellent coverage already (thanks, Danny Sullivan and Mike Blumenthal)… but that’s not what I’m here for today. Quick Aside: I originally planned on sharing the fact that businesses could FINALLY change their Local […]
Up Close @ SMX Advanced: Amazing Paid Search Tactics
Paid search continues to get exceedingly complicated, but the expert panel, the last session of this year’s SMX Advanced, blew the audience away with understandable and valuable tips. Amazing Paid Search Tactics & Tools featured four expert speakers, and it was the first time I’ve ever heard cheers and whistles after a PPC session. “I’m A Freakin’ Google […]