Ranking On Local Searches? Options

[Ponderosa Tree S...]

I know this is a rather new topic in the world of SEO but is there anyway to increase your ranking on a local listing? For example when searching tree service in berkeley, CA it displays the first 3 companies on the main search page. How is the ranking on these tree companies determined? I'd like to increase my companies ranking within these local results.

Reason for edit: Removed company and url as it's not necessary for this discussion and against forum rules.

[qwerty]

Make sure your business is listed in Google Local and all the various yellow pages and local hubs. There are a ton of them listed here. I can't vouch for all of them, as I've never submitted to all of them, but a number of them will be helpful to you.

Also, make sure you optimize your pages with geo-location in mind, and be sure to put your physical address and phone number on the site. I like to put it on every page, either in the banner or the footer.

[Copywriter39]

when searching tree service in berkeley, CA it displays the first 3 companies on the main search page. How is the ranking on these tree companies determined?

These three listings are from the Google Maps and use a different algorithm. They try to encompass all businesses, even if they don't have a web site. Their information seems to come from the Yellow pages. I'd focus on getting listed on the Google Local listings that follow these three. People seem to look at these first when looking for a service. And this is where developing links and having a site optimized will pay off.

[OldWelshGuy]

If you are not one of the three, register on Google maps, and complete the registration process completely , including any follow up.

[Copywriter39]

And by registering you can add a lot to your listing, including an image, a description, hours, etc. Google really lets you control your listing, a lot more than the other major search engines.

[Ponderosa Tree S...]

If you are not one of the three, register on Google maps, and complete the registration process completely , including any follow up.

I'm registered on Google Local but is there a difference betweening registering on Local and Maps or is that the same thing?

Has there ever been any research done or has Google ever explained how they list businesses on Local?

[qwerty]

Maps and Local were combined into one service about half a year ago.

I don't know of any explanation of local ranking that's been certified as correct by Google, but it's pretty safe to assume that it's some combination of the normal algorithm with a ranking based on proximity to the searched-on location (or for signed in users, the pre-established location).