How to Get Your Business Found Online in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
If you own a business in Wilkes-Barre, you know the local economy is built on a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, education, and small retail. With about 44,000 residents and thousands more commuting in from surrounding towns like Kingston and Plains, there’s plenty of opportunity. But here’s the problem: when someone searches for “pizza near me” or “plumber in Wilkes-Barre,” most small businesses never show up on the first page of Google.
Why? It’s not because your business isn’t good. It’s because Google doesn’t know you exist yet. And even if it does, your online presence might be missing the signals Google looks for to decide who to show first. Let’s fix that.
Start with your Google Business Profile
This is the single most important thing you can do. Go to Google Business Profile (it’s free) and claim your listing. Fill it out completely: your address, phone number, hours, and photos of your storefront or work. If you don’t verify your listing, Google won’t trust you. Once it’s verified, keep it updated. If your hours change for a holiday, update it. If you’re closed for a week, update it. Google rewards businesses that keep their info fresh.
Get reviews (and respond to them)
Reviews are like word-of-mouth for Google. The more positive reviews you have, the more Google thinks you’re a real, trusted business. Ask happy customers to leave a review on your Google profile. Don’t offer discounts or freebies for reviews—that’s against the rules. Just ask nicely. And always respond to every review, even the bad ones. A simple “Thanks for your feedback, we’ll work on that” shows you’re engaged.
Make sure your website works on a phone
Most people in Wilkes-Barre search for businesses on their phones. If your website takes more than three seconds to load, or if the text is too small to read, people will leave. Google notices when people bounce off your site quickly and will rank you lower. Use a simple, clean design that works on any screen. You don’t need a fancy site—just a fast, readable one.
Use words your customers actually search for
Think about what someone would type into Google to find you. If you’re a bakery, don’t just say “fresh pastries.” Say “fresh pastries in Wilkes-Barre” or “best donuts near Public Square.” Sprinkle these local phrases naturally into your website text, your Google profile, and even your social media posts. Don’t stuff them in—just use them where they make sense.
What are backlinks, and why do they matter?
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Think of them like referrals. When a local news site or a trusted blog links to your business, Google sees that as a vote of confidence. The more quality backlinks you have, the more Google trusts your site. That trust helps you rank higher. But not all backlinks are equal. A link from a spammy directory won’t help. Links from real, authoritative websites do.
That’s where BacklinkUSA.com comes in. We publish articles about businesses like yours on high-authority websites, so you get the kind of backlinks that actually move the needle on Google rankings. If you want to be found by more customers in Wilkes-Barre, we can help.