22 September 2023 | Google, SEO

Google 3-Pack: Local SEO Success

pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3799698

Utilising the Google 3-pack is an ideal strategy for in-person stores to benefit from online success. It’s a perfect pairing of digital marketing strategies and physical businesses.

Imagine your business appearing at the very top of a Google search, right when someone nearby is looking for a product or service you offer. 

This coveted spot is what the Google 3-Pack is all about – a game-changer for local businesses.

What is the Google 3-Pack?

Have you ever searched for something on Google and seen a shortlist of three local businesses at the very top? That’s what we call the Google 3-Pack. 

It’s a prime digital space that can help local businesses a lot. 

When you perform a local search on Google, especially one with a geographic component (e.g., “coffee shops near me” or “plumbers in [city]”), you might notice that the top of the search results page features a compact list of three local businesses.

In essence, the Google 3-Pack is a shortlist of businesses that Google considers the most relevant and trustworthy for a given local search query. 

These three businesses listed in the 3-Pack receive prominent placement on the search results page. Complete with their names, ratings, addresses, phone numbers, and a link to their Google Maps location. 

For users looking for quick, reliable local information, the Google 3-Pack is often their first and only stop.

Benefits of Being In the 3-Pack

Why should a local business try to get into the Google 3-Pack? Because being in it has many advantages. 

It’s a prime piece of digital real estate that local businesses aim to occupy because it greatly enhances their online visibility and potential for attracting customers.

Many users perform local searches on mobile devices. Being in the 3-Pack ensures that your business is visible to mobile users, which is crucial in today’s mobile-driven world.

Businesses in the Google 3-Pack get most of the clicks and customers. People often view these businesses as more relevant and trustworthy, leading to higher click-through rates.

Compared to some other forms of online advertising and marketing, such as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, being in the 3-Pack can be a cost-effective way to attract local customers.

How are Google 3-Pack Listings determined?

Google doesn’t just pick names at random. It uses a smart computer program to choose. 

Relevance is a crucial factor. If a business’s information is closely related to what the user is searching for, it has a higher chance of appearing in the 3-Pack.

The algorithm also takes into account the proximity of the business to the user’s location or the specified area in the search query. Businesses that are physically closer to the user are more likely to be featured. 

Businesses with a strong online presence and positive reviews are more likely to appear in the 3-Pack. This involves evaluating a business’s local reputation. Which is determined by various factors such as online reviews, backlinks to the business’s website, and overall online presence. 

Consistency of information is also important. The algorithm considers how accurate and consistent a business’s information is across various online sources. Inconsistencies in business information can negatively impact a business’s chances of appearing in the 3-Pack.

How to Get Into the 3-Pack

Getting into the Google 3-Pack isn’t just about luck. It’s about having a plan and doing things right. There are lots of things you can do to make your business more visible and get more local customers.

Start by setting up a comprehensive Google My Business profile and ensure it’s verified. Populate it with accurate and detailed information about your business, including your name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.

Engage with your customers and encourage them to leave positive reviews on your Google My Business page. These reviews not only boost your credibility but also increase your visibility in local search results.

Ensure that your business information is consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and local directories. Google trusts businesses with uniform and accurate information.

Regularly update your Google My Business profile to reflect any changes in your business, such as new products or services, updated hours of operation, or special promotions. Keeping your information current enhances your chances of appearing in the 3-Pack.

Optimising for the Google 3-Pack

Making your business ready for the Google 3-Pack means using the right online strategies and focusing on local things. 

Optimise your website for search engines. Employ SEO (search engine optimisation) techniques such as optimising title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and content. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many users access Google via mobile devices.

Craft high-quality, local-focused content on your website. This can include blog posts, articles, or resources that cater to the needs and interests of your local audience. Be sure to optimise your content with relevant keywords to enhance its discoverability.

Expand your online presence by listing your business on other local directories and websites. The more places your business is mentioned, the stronger your online presence becomes.

Active engagement on social media platforms can also contribute to your visibility. Interact with your local community, share relevant content, and respond promptly to comments and messages.

Remember, while these steps can improve your chances, achieving a spot in the 3-Pack may take time and persistence. Achieving and maintaining a position in the 3-Pack requires ongoing local SEO efforts and a commitment to providing excellent products or services to your customers.

Contact us for Google 3-Pack Assistance

While grasping the fundamentals of the Google 3-Pack is crucial, achieving and sustaining a presence in this coveted space necessitates ongoing expertise and effort. 

This is where we step in. Our team of SEO experts specialises in guiding businesses, like yours, towards securing a spot in the Google 3-Pack. 

If you’re ready to elevate your local visibility and drive more customers through your doors, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today, and let’s embark on a journey to local SEO triumph.

Share This Content

More Chameleon Insights

Jaguar's new logo 2024
  • Branding
  • Web Design

Jaguar’s New Logo: Calculated Gamble or Brand Implosion?

Jaguar's New Logo. Is Jaguar's controversial rebrand a bold move for the future or a betrayal of its luxury heritage? Chameleon dives deep into the topic.

Web designers deciding on a colour scheme for a new website at Chameleon Web Services
  • Web Design

How to Use Colour in Web Design

Learn how to use color effectively in web design to convey mood, guide user actions, and enhance brand identity. Discover Chameleon’s bespoke design services.

The modern McDonald's Logo on a flagpole
  • Web Design

The Evolution of the McDonald’s Logo

The evolution of the McDonald's logo reveals over 80 years of brand growth. Learn how branding helped shape a fast-food cultural phenomenon.

  • Digital Marketing

How Important Is Competitor Research in SEO?

With effective competitor research, you can learn what is working well for your competitors, what tactics they use to achieve success, and what gaps there are in the market that you can exploit.

A laptop with a website built by Chameleon Web Services on it
  • Web Design

8 Tips For Building Your New Company Website

Read our 8 top tips for creating a new company website. From web design to SEO, learn how your website can stand out in the digital landscape.

Two joggers wearing New Balance sportswear
  • Digital Marketing

New Balance: A Marketing Case Study

New Balance have been able to transform their brand image from that of ‘dad shoe’ to one of the trendiest fashion brands in the world. We breakdown how New Balance have made clever use of digital marketing campaigns to achieve this.

Retro tins of cereal brands displaying different types of brand identity
  • Digital Marketing
  • SEO
  • Web Design

How to Create a Strong Brand Identity Online

Crafting a distinct brand identity and designing a user-friendly website are fundamental steps in digital marketing that can set your business apart from the competition.

A hut in the woods used in Airbnb marketing for its accomodation options
  • Digital Marketing

Airbnb: A Marketing Case Study

"Where shall we stay? An Airbnb?" We breakdown how Airbnb, through astute digital marketing campaigns, have been able to build an industry-shattering empire.

A pint of Guinness used for Guinness marketing ads
  • Digital Marketing

How Guinness Adapted their Marketing for the 21st Century

We explore how Guinness have sustained 260 years of marketing excellence, and how their marketing campaigns have adapted to thrive, rather than falter, in the 21st Century.

Google Business Profile Pin Information on a smart phone.
  • Digital Marketing

Google Business Profile Chat Feature Scrapped

Google have announced that the Google Business Profile Chat Feature will be scrapped at the end of July. We breakdown how businesses can respond to the news.

Optimise Website Performance with Technical SEO
  • Digital Marketing
  • SEO

Technical SEO: Refining Your Website

What is technical SEO? With over 23 years SEO experience, we break down how you can optimise the technical aspects of your site for search engines.

Evolution of the BT logo
  • Digital Marketing

The Evolution of the BT Logo 

The evolution of the BT logo reflects how BT have grown and adapted as a brand through the years. Staying updated with the times and their target audience.