How to Track Local Map rankings using Local Falcon and BrightLocal

In the digital age, local businesses need to be visible online. This is where local SEO comes into play.

Local SEO helps businesses promote their products and services to local customers. It’s a targeted online marketing approach that allows businesses to reach their local audience.

One crucial aspect of local SEO is tracking local map rankings. This involves monitoring how your business ranks in local search results.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to track local map rankings using two popular tools: Local Falcon and BrightLocal. These tools provide valuable insights into your local SEO performance.

We’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to use these tools effectively. Whether you’re a local business owner or an SEO professional, this guide will be beneficial.

A screenshot of Local Falcon and BrightLocal dashboardsby Luke Chesser (https://unsplash.com/@lukechesser)”

Understanding Local SEO and Its Importance

Local SEO, or Local Search Engine Optimization, is a strategy that helps businesses increase their visibility in local search results. It’s a crucial aspect of digital marketing for businesses that serve a specific geographic area.

The importance of local SEO cannot be overstated. It allows businesses to reach local customers when they’re actively looking for their products or services. By optimizing for local search, businesses can attract more customers, increase sales, and outperform their local competitors.

What Are Local Map Rankings?

Local map rankings refer to a business’s position in the search engine results displayed on a map. These rankings are particularly important for businesses targeting local customers.

When a user performs a local search, search engines like Google display a map at the top of the search results. This map features local businesses that match the user’s query. The order in which these businesses appear on the map is determined by their local map rankings. High local map rankings can significantly increase a business’s visibility and attract more customers.

Introducing Local Falcon and BrightLocal

Local Falcon and BrightLocal are two powerful tools designed to help businesses and SEO professionals track their local SEO performance. Both tools offer a range of features that make local map rankings tracking easier and more effective.

Local Falcon specializes in geo-grid tracking, providing a visual representation of a business’s local map rankings across different areas. BrightLocal, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive suite of local SEO tools, including local search rank tracking, citation tracking, and review monitoring. Both tools can provide valuable insights to help improve your local SEO strategy.

Setting Up Local Falcon for Local Map Rankings Tracking

Local Falcon is a user-friendly tool that requires a simple setup process. To start tracking your local map rankings, you first need to create an account.

Once your account is set up, you can add your business details. This includes your business name, address, and the specific keywords you want to track.

Local Falcon uses a geo-grid to display your local map rankings. You can customize the size of this grid based on your needs.

The tool also allows you to set up alerts for ranking changes. This way, you can stay updated on any significant shifts in your local map rankings.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to setting up Local Falcon:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Add your business details.
  3. Select your keywords.
  4. Customize your geo-grid.
  5. Set up ranking alerts.

by Alan Mersom (https://unsplash.com/@merse)”

Interpreting Local Falcon Data

Once you’ve set up Local Falcon, it’s time to interpret the data it provides. The tool offers a visual representation of your local map rankings, making it easy to identify areas where your business is performing well and areas where improvement is needed.

The color-coded geo-grid provides a quick overview of your rankings. Green indicates high rankings, while red indicates lower rankings.

By analyzing this data, you can adjust your local SEO strategy to improve your visibility in areas where your rankings are low. This could involve optimizing your Google My Business listing, improving your local content, or building more local citations.

Setting Up BrightLocal for Comprehensive Local SEO Metrics

BrightLocal is another powerful tool for local SEO tracking. Like Local Falcon, it requires an account setup to get started.

After creating your account, you can add your business details. BrightLocal allows you to track multiple locations, making it ideal for businesses with several branches.

You can also select the specific local SEO metrics you want to track. These could include local map rankings, Google My Business insights, NAP consistency, and more.

BrightLocal also offers customizable reports. You can choose which metrics to include in your reports and how often you want to receive them.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to setting up BrightLocal:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Add your business details.
  3. Select your metrics.
  4. Customize your reports.

by yash rai (https://unsplash.com/@yashzucced)”

Analyzing Reports with BrightLocal

BrightLocal’s reports provide a wealth of information about your local SEO performance. Understanding this data is crucial for improving your local search visibility.

The reports include a breakdown of your local map rankings. You can see how your business ranks for specific keywords in different locations.

BrightLocal also provides insights into your Google My Business performance. This includes data on customer reviews, photo views, and more.

By analyzing these reports, you can identify areas of strength and weakness in your local SEO strategy. This will help you make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts for maximum impact.

Local Falcon vs. BrightLocal: A Comparative Overview

Local Falcon and BrightLocal are both powerful tools for local SEO tracking. However, they each have their unique strengths and features.

Local Falcon excels in tracking local map rankings. Its geo-grid technology provides a detailed view of your local search visibility. On the other hand, BrightLocal offers a more comprehensive suite of local SEO metrics. This includes Google My Business insights, NAP consistency tracking, and more.

In terms of user experience, both tools are user-friendly with intuitive interfaces. The choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences for local SEO tracking.

Common Pitfalls in Local SEO Tracking and How to Avoid Them

One common mistake in local SEO tracking is focusing solely on rankings. While important, rankings are just one aspect of local SEO. It’s also crucial to track metrics like customer reviews, local citations, and Google My Business optimization.

Another pitfall is inconsistent tracking. Regular monitoring is key to identifying trends and making informed decisions. Make sure to set up regular tracking intervals with tools like Local Falcon and BrightLocal.

Leveraging Local SEO Tracking for Business Growth

Local SEO tracking is not just about monitoring performance. It’s also a powerful tool for business growth. By understanding your local SEO data, you can make strategic decisions to improve your visibility and attract more customers.

Tools like Local Falcon and BrightLocal can provide valuable insights. These insights can guide your local SEO strategy, helping you target the right keywords, optimize your Google My Business listing, and improve your local map rankings.