In the world of Local SEO, business relocation means so much more than a simple change in address. If not handled correctly, relocating an office can have costly implications on local rankings. Whether your business grew out of its current space or you simply needed a change of scenery, here are some key steps to follow to ensure that you don’t lose rankings.
1) Update Your Website Before Doing Anything Else
Your website is the primary source of information for searchers, your digital business card if you may, making it extremely important that information always be up-to-date. Before you take another steps, be sure that your address is updated across your site.
Remember that you may have your business address listed in multiple locations so be careful that any mentions of your NAP (name, address, and phone number) have been changed. Common places to check for your NAP include your location/contact/about us page, the website footer and header, and the code on your Schema markup.
Once you’ve updated the address, you might also consider highlighting that you’ve moved locations so that customers are aware of the change. Adding photos of your new office or providing driving directions are two ways through which you can draw attention and alert customers.
2) If You Moved To ALocation That Previously Occupied Another Business, Find Their Listing And Mark It Closed
You want to avoid the conflict of having your business and another listed at the same location. After you’ve found the listing, or listings if multiple businesses have occupied that space, submit the edit in MapMaker with a comment stating that the previous business has closed at that location and a new one (yours) has moved in. Remember that there may be duplicate listings so be thorough as you check for other businesses at your new address.
3) Update Your Own Google My Business Listing
Be sure that you update both your address and pin marker on your Google My Business (GMB) dashboard. The pin marker will not always update after changing an address, so be sure to double check its placement. You may also have to re-claim your business and re-verify information after making these changes.
4) Go Back To Your Website And Embed An Updated Map Of Your New Location
Once your GMB listing has been updated and verified, go back to your site and embed a Google Map of your location on whatever page has your location and contact information. This allows site guests to not only see your location, but also your Google reviews.
5) Update All Directories And Data Providers
This may take you some time to do, but it will ensure that any mention of your business has current information. Start by checking Whitespark’s Top Local Citation List for a list of key directories making sure to update in the order listed. Afterwards, check all niche directories for you individual industry.
6) Remember To Check That Updates Remain Up-To-Date
For a few months after you’ve moved, you will want to continue checking for duplicate listings that did not update accordingly and making sure that driving directions remain connected to your new address.
7) Make Sure You Don’t Forget To Change Your Address On Other Records
With so many things to keep in mind on the digital side of things, be careful that you don’t forget to update your address on other records such as for a state license, banks, utilities companies and more.
1 Source Media Group in Las Vegas, Nevada offers expert and thorough Local SEO services. We have the experience needed to help you address any changes, including a new business location, and help you avoid a costly loss in rankings. Contact us today for more information.
