Shop Local Helps Indie Stores Rank on Page 1 of Google in 64% of States

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 06, 2023 – Shop Local, an e-commerce platform, reported that it's helping indie stores rank on page one of Google in 64% of states for wedding gift purchases. The findings are based on a recent study that Shop Local conducted regarding wedding registry purchasing. 

Study Findings:

• For 32 state searches, Shop Local Stores appeared on page one of Google. This represents 64% of all states.  When just calculating the states in which Shop Local has clients (48), the percentage grows to 67%. 
• In Mississippi, six Shop Local stores placed on page one of Google.
• In South Carolina, five Shop Local Stores earned a page one spot.
• In four states, Shop Local Stores won four first-page placements: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. 
• In many searches, stores using Shop Local software are ranking higher than big-box stores such as Walmart and Target.
• Shop Local has a higher quantity of clients appearing on page one Google results than any other software provider. 
• In 2022, retailers using Shop Local software appeared in 99 first place finishes. The top 10 states had a total of 48 first place finishes. This year, retailers using Shop Local software appeared in 70 first place finishes. The top 10 states had a total of 39 first place finishes. 

How the Study Was Conducted: 

• Shop Local Googled "wedding registry" and the state’s name. 
• Shop Local researched results for 48 states. (Shop Local has clients in 48 states; in two states, Shop Local doesn’t have clients: Alaska and New Mexico.) 

Search Results:
State / Number of Shop Local Stores on Page 1 of Google:

• Mississippi: 6
• South Carolina: 5
• Alabama: 4
• Georgia: 4
• Illinois: 4
• Pennsylvania: 4
• Delaware: 3
• Louisiana: 3
• Tennessee: 3
• Texas: 3
• Arkansas: 2
• Connecticut: 2
• Florida: 2
• Indiana: 2
• Iowa: 2
• Kentucky: 2
• Missouri: 2
• Virginia: 2
• Wyoming: 2
• Arizona: 1
• Colorado: 1
• Maryland: 1
• Massachusetts: 1
• Michigan: 1
• New Hampshire: 1
• New Jersey: 1
• North Carolina: 1
• Ohio: 1
• Oklahoma: 1
• Washington: 1
• West Virginia: 1
• Wisconsin: 1

*Please note: Google results may vary.  This research was performed on September 6, 2023.

Mississippi Example:
These Shop Local clients appeared on page one of Google: 

1. Persnickety Shops in Madison
2. Reed's in Tupelo
3. Elizabeth Clair's in Tupelo and Jackson
4. The Finery Jackson in Jackson
5. Oxford Floral Co. in Oxford
6. Beard's Furniture and Antiquities in Columbus

Shop Local Stores Beat Big-box Stores:
In many state results, Shop Local stores ranked on page 1 of Google ahead of national chains and other registry services, which often have larger customer bases and bigger website budgets.

Examples:

• In Mississippi results, six Shop Local stores beat Walmart, Target, MyRegistry.com, and Shopify gift registry apps.
• In South Carolina five Shop Local stores beat Walmart, Target, MyRegistry.com, and Shopify gift registry apps.
• In Alabama and Georgia results, four Shop Local stores beat Walmart, Target, MyRegistry.com, and Shopify gift registry apps.
• In Delaware and Louisiana results, three Shop Local stores beat Walmart, Target, MyRegistry.com, and Shopify gift registry apps.

What Can One Learn From This Study?
By using Shop Local's software, indie stores have the best chance of ranking highly in Google. Their store will be found by more customers. 

A Few Common Questions:
How does Shop Local get its clients to rank so highly in Google? 
Shop Local uses a variety of strategies to increase a store's Google ranking, from properly coding a page to increasing the number of backlinks pointing at the client's site. 

Do Shop Local retailers pay extra for the high Google ranking?
No, stores do not pay extra for their page one page Google ranking. Shop Local provides free tools and features that help make it possible. 

Why does ranking highly in Google matter?
Many shoppers start their purchasing on Google.  When one can rank well in Google, it increases the likelihood the store will receive the sale.

Why does an indie store beating a big-box store in Google matter?
An indie store often lacks the advantage of having many locations like a big box store, and it lacks access to capital like a VC-backed entity. When Shop Local helps a small indie outrank bigger competitors, that shows the outsize value we're providing to our clients. We're helping modest Main Street stores beat out companies with 100 locations (e.g. Target, Macy's) and $100m in funding (Zola).

Why is appearing on page one of Google important?
The first page of Google may capture 71% of web traffic, while the second page may receive just 6% of website clicks.* Source: https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2020/08/19/get-on-first-page-google


Please click the PDF link or icon to view the full report. 


Learn more about Shop Local Registry Software:
https://www.shoplocal.org/wedding-and-gift-registry-software.cfm

Tags:
Google Gift registry software wedding registry software bridgeinthenews

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