Let's be real—local SEO isn’t just about getting your business on the map; it’s about making sure you’re the first stop on that map. The secret sauce? Competitor analysis. If you’re not regularly checking out what your competition is up to, you’re basically playing the game blindfolded. So, how do you outshine the competition without losing your sanity? Enter GMB Fox's killer toolkit, designed to cut your competitor analysis time in half while delivering results that matter.
Step One: Stack Your Google Business Profile Against the Competition
First up, let’s talk Google Business Profile (GBP) Audit. This tool is your new best friend when it comes to figuring out who’s eating your lunch in local search—and how you can take it back.
Imagine you’re a law firm trying to dominate the “family lawyer” keyword. GMB Fox’s GBP Audit lets you peek under the hood of the top 10 competitors ranking for that term. You’ll get insights into everything from citations and backlinks to star ratings and the number of photos they’ve posted. If your competition has more reviews or is using a different primary category, that’s your cue to step up your game.
Pro Tip: If you’re lagging in reviews, consider launching a review generation campaign. It’s a quick win that can push you up in rankings faster than you might think.
Step Two: Spot Content Gaps and Opportunities
Next, dive into the Local Rank Tracker to see how your website content stacks up. This tool shows you how you rank against your competitors across different keywords on multiple search engines.
For instance, if your competitor is ranking first for “divorce lawyer” while you’re sitting at fourth, it might be time to optimize your site for that keyword. Or better yet, create a landing page specifically for divorce law. It’s all about making sure you’re covering your bases—and then some.
Step Three: Audit Those Citations
Citations might not be the sexiest part of local SEO, but they’re crucial. GMB Fox’s Citation Tracker helps you see where your competitors are getting their citations—and where you’re falling short.
Look for citations that have high authority or value, and make sure your business is listed there too. Even better, sort by niche directories that are super relevant to your industry. These might not have the highest authority, but their relevance can give you an edge.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check for any suspicious name spam from competitors. If someone’s stuffing keywords into their business name, flag it. Google will penalize them, and that’s one less competitor to worry about.
Step Four: Keep an Eye on the Competition
Once you’ve got your citations in check, it’s time to monitor your competitors’ rankings in real-time. GMB Fox’s Local Search Grid is perfect for this. It gives you a geogrid view of where you stand versus your competitors across your target area.
Hover over any dot on the grid, and you’ll see who’s ranking in that spot, along with their proximity, number of reviews, and star rating. If a competitor has more reviews or a better star rating, it’s time to ramp up your efforts.
Pro Tip: If you’re not ranking at all at your main location, you might be getting filtered out by Google due to too many similar businesses at the same address. In that case, consider optimizing your profile with different categories or keywords.
Step Five: Boost Your Link Game
Finally, you can’t talk SEO without mentioning links. GMB Fox’s Local Search Audit tool gives you the lowdown on your competitors’ link profiles, from the number of links to their domain authority.
If your link count is below average, it’s time to launch a link-building campaign. Start by targeting local businesses, directories, and industry-specific sites. The goal? Outrank your competitors in every metric that matters.
Conclusion
Competitor analysis is the unsung hero of local SEO. With GMB Fox’s suite of tools, you can dig deep into what makes your competitors tick—and then outsmart them at every turn. Whether it’s optimizing your Google Business Profile, auditing citations, or boosting your link-building efforts, GMB Fox has got your back.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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