A local SEO checklist is essential for improving your visibility in local search results and attracting more local customers. Whether you’re running a small shop, a restaurant, a service-based business or any other local business showing up when people search for your services on Google Maps or other search engines can make all the difference.
This complete local SEO checklist provides manageable, step-by-step tasks to help you boost your local search rankings and attract more customers. From setting up your Google Business Profile to optimizing your local listings, we’ve designed this guide to fit into your busy schedule. Each task can be completed in a day, making it easy to stay consistent with your local SEO efforts over time.
Remember, Local SEO isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing process. By following this checklist, you’ll improve your local SEO strategy, drive more traffic from local searches, and grow your business without spending anything on ads.
Breakdown of The Local SEO Checklist
Use the downloadable local SEO checklist PDF to work on your local SEO and this breakdown of all tasks to better understand what you need to do and how each tasks improves your local SEO.
1. Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile
The first step in your local SEO checklist is to claim and verify your Google Business Profile. This is essential for improving your visibility in local search results and attracting more local customers. Without a verified profile, your business may not show up in Google Maps or other local listings, making it harder for people to find you.
Why This Step Matters
- A verified Google Business Profile helps your business appear in the Map Pack and improves your rankings in local searches.
- It ensures that search engines have accurate information about your business locations, hours, and contact details.
- It boosts your credibility and visibility in relevant business categories.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Visit Google Business Profile and sign in with your business email.
- Claim your profile by entering your business name and other details.
- Select the most relevant business categories for your services.
- Verify your profile using the provided methods (postcard, phone, or email).
Pro Tip: Use high-quality photos and write a clear business description with local keywords to help your profile stand out and attract more clicks in local search results.
2. Add Complete Details to Your Google Business Profile
Once your Google Business Profile is verified, the next step is to optimize it with accurate and detailed information. A fully completed profile helps you rank higher in local searches and ensures your business appears in relevant business categories on Google Maps and other local listings.
Why This Step Matters
- It improves your business’s visibility in local search rankings.
- Provides potential customers with the information they need to contact or visit your business.
- Helps search engines confidently display your business in local search results.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Add your business hours, address, phone number, and website URL.
- Upload at least three high-quality photos of your storefront, team, or products.
- Write a detailed business description with your primary services and include local keywords to boost your visibility in local searches.
- List all your services, ensuring each is accurately categorized.
Pro Tip: Use high-quality photos and write a clear business description with local keywords to help your profile stand out and attract more clicks in local search results.
3. Research 10 Location-Specific Keywords
Effective keyword research is the backbone of your local SEO strategy. By targeting specific local keywords, you can optimize your website and increase its chances of appearing in local search results. This step helps you understand what terms your target audience uses when searching for your services in their area.
Why This Step Matters
- Helps your business rank for relevant local searches, increasing visibility to nearby customers.
- Provides insights into what potential customers are looking for, enabling you to tailor your content accordingly.
- Supports the creation of highly focused landing pages targeting specific business locations.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Use tools like Ahrefs to find relevant local keywords.
- Search for terms that combine your service with specific locations (e.g., “plumber in Brooklyn” or “best coffee shop in Austin”).
- Create a list of 10 high-volume, low-competition keywords specific to your service and service area.
- Save these keywords for use in your content and landing pages.
4. Create 10 Location-Specific Landing Pages
With your list of local keywords ready, it’s time to put them to work by creating location-specific landing pages. These pages help your business rank for local searches and provide potential customers with the exact information they need about your services in their area.
Why This Step Matters
- Improves your visibility in local search rankings by targeting specific business locations.
- Boosts your chances of appearing in search results when customers search for your services in nearby areas.
- Provides tailored information that increases the likelihood of converting visitors into customers.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Choose one keyword from your list and create a dedicated landing page for it (e.g., “HVAC Services in Denver”).
- Write unique content for each page, focusing on the location and specific service offered.
- Include essential information like your business name, address, and contact details to match your business listing.
- Add a strong call-to-action (e.g., “Contact us today for reliable HVAC services in Denver!”).
- Repeat this process for all 10 keywords, creating one page per day for the next 10 days.
Pro Tip: WordPress users can save time on this by using bulk page creation tools. Check out our guide on How to Bulk Create Local Landing Pages in WordPress to turn this into a 10-minute task.
5. Audit and Correct One Inconsistent Business Listing
Optimizing your local listings is crucial for improving your local search results. An inconsistent business listing can confuse both potential customers and search engines, leading to lower rankings in local searches. By auditing and correcting your business listings, you ensure that your local SEO efforts are effective and that your business appears accurately across platforms.
Why This Step Matters
- Ensures consistency in your local citations, boosting trust with both customers and search engines.
- Helps your business rank higher in local search results by improving credibility.
- Avoids customer confusion caused by outdated or mismatched contact details.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Choose one directory (e.g., Yelp, Yellow Pages, or TripAdvisor) and check your business listing.
- Compare the information to your Google Business Profile to ensure consistency in your business name, address, and phone number (NAP).
- Update any inaccurate details to match your verified Google Business Profile.
- Save your changes and check other local listings for discrepancies over time.
Pro Tip: Regularly auditing your local business listings prevents errors from accumulating and ensures that customers and search engines always find accurate information.
6. Submit Your Business to One New Directory
Submitting your business to local directories helps increase your visibility in local search results and strengthens your local SEO efforts. High-quality business directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or industry-specific platforms can boost your rankings by providing additional local citations and helping search engines verify your business information.
Why This Step Matters
- Enhances your presence in local searches by expanding your local business listings.
- Provides more opportunities for potential customers to discover your business.
- Builds trust with search engines, improving your local search rankings.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Choose a reputable business directory relevant to your industry (e.g., Yelp, Angie’s List, or an industry-specific platform).
- Submit your business details, including your business name, address, phone number, and website.
- Double-check your information to ensure it matches your Google Business Profile and other local listings.
- Add a brief business description with relevant local keywords to help your business rank in local search results.
Pro Tip: Focus on directories that your target audience frequently uses, as these will bring the most value to your local SEO campaign.
7. Set Up a Review Request Process
Online reviews are a key factor in boosting your local search rankings and building trust with potential customers. A steady stream of positive reviews not only helps your business stand out in local searches but also signals to search engines that your business is credible and active. Setting up a review request process ensures you regularly collect reviews without much effort.
Why This Step Matters
- Increases your chances of ranking higher in local search results.
- Provides social proof to attract more local customers.
- Helps improve your Google Business Profile visibility by showcasing recent, authentic feedback.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Create a simple email template asking customers for reviews. Include a direct link to your Google Business Profile or other review platforms.
- Choose 5 recent customers and send the review request email.
- Follow up after a few days if you don’t receive a response.
- Monitor incoming reviews and note any areas where you can improve your service.
Pro Tip: Automate your review requests with tools like Birdeye or Podium to consistently gather reviews and save time.
8. Respond to 5 Reviews
Engaging with your online reviews—both positive and negative—is an important part of maintaining your Google Business Profile and improving your local search rankings. Responding to reviews shows that you value customer feedback, which not only builds trust with potential local customers but also helps boost your visibility in local search results.
Why This Step Matters
- Improves your credibility with customers and search engines.
- Increases customer loyalty by showing that you care about their experience.
- Positively influences your rankings in local searches by keeping your profile active and up-to-date.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Log in to your Google Business Profile or other review platforms.
- Select 5 recent reviews—both positive and negative—for response.
- Thank customers for their positive feedback and mention specific details to personalize your response.
- For negative reviews, respond politely, acknowledge the issue, and offer a solution or next steps.
- Keep your responses professional, concise, and friendly.
Pro Tip: Regularly responding to reviews not only improves your public image but also signals to search engines that your business is engaged and active in the community.
9. Optimize Metadata And H1 for One Page
Optimizing your website’s H1, title tags and meta descriptions is a quick and effective way to improve your local search results. These elements tell both users and search engines what each page is about, helping your site rank for specific local keywords.
Why This Step Matters
- Helps your website rank higher in local searches by targeting relevant local keywords.
- Improves click-through rates by providing clear and engaging descriptions in search results.
- Makes it easier for search engines to understand your content and match it to user queries.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Select one key page (e.g., your homepage or a popular service page).
- Use a tool like Yoast SEO or Rank Math (when you are on WordPress) to edit the page’s title tags and meta description.
- Include your target local keywords and location (e.g., “Plumber in Austin | 24/7 Emergency Services”).
- Keep the title under 60 characters and the meta description under 160 characters.
Pro Tip: Write meta descriptions that include a call-to-action to encourage clicks, such as “Call us today for reliable plumbing services in Austin.”
10. Test and Improve Website Speed for One Page
Website speed is a crucial ranking factor for both local and global search engines. A slow-loading page can drive users away and negatively impact your rankings in local searches. Optimizing the speed of your site ensures a better user experience and helps your business appear more prominently in local search results.
Why This Step Matters
- Improves user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing time spent on your site and therefore local SEO.
- Enhances your rankings in local search results, as fast-loading pages are favored by search engines.
- Ensures mobile users can access your site quickly, which is critical for local SEO efforts.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test the speed of one key page.
- Optimize images by compressing them without sacrificing quality.
- Remove unnecessary plugins or scripts that slow down your site.
- Enable browser caching and use a content delivery network (CDN) if applicable.
Pro Tip: Start with optimizing your homepage or a high-traffic landing page, as these have the most impact on your local SEO campaign.
11. Add Local Schema Markup to One Page
Structured data, like local schema markup, helps search engines understand your content and display it accurately in local search results. By adding this markup, you can provide extra information, such as your business hours, address, and services, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Why This Step Matters
- Enhances your visibility in local searches by providing detailed information to search engines.
- Increases the chances of appearing in rich snippets, which stand out in search results.
- Helps build trust with both users and search engines by showcasing accurate business details.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Use Schema.org’s LocalBusiness generator to create schema markup for your business.
- Include key details like your business name, address, phone number, and business hours.
- Add the generated code to your website’s header for one key page.
- Test the schema using Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure it’s implemented correctly.
Pro Tip: Start with your homepage or a high-priority landing page to maximize the impact of your local SEO strategy.
12. Build One Local Backlink
Local link building is a powerful way to boost your local SEO efforts by increasing your site’s authority and trustworthiness. Earning a local backlink from a reputable source, like a local blog or business, signals to search engines that your site is relevant and trusted in the community.
Why This Step Matters
- Helps improve your rankings in local search results by building your site’s authority.
- Increases referral traffic from the sites linking to yours.
- Strengthens your connections with other local businesses and organizations.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Identify a local blog, local news site, or another local business site relevant to your industry.
- Reach out to the site owner and propose a guest post, collaboration, or content exchange.
- Create valuable content that includes a link back to your website.
- Publish the content and track referral traffic and rankings.
Pro Tip: Focus on earning backlinks from reputable local directories or organizations to boost your site’s credibility and improve your local search rankings.
13. Publish a Blog Post About a Local Event
Blogging about local events helps connect your business to the community and improves your chances of ranking for relevant local searches. It’s a great way to engage with your target audience while showcasing your involvement in the local area.
Why This Step Matters
- Helps your site rank for queries related to local events, driving more traffic.
- Positions your business as an active part of the community.
- Provides fresh, locally relevant content that search engines favor.
Actionable Steps to Complete Today
- Choose a nearby local event (e.g., a festival, charity run, or community gathering).
- Write a blog post describing the event and its significance to the community.
- Include your business’s role, if applicable, and use relevant local keywords.
- Share the blog post on social media sites to reach a broader audience.
Pro Tip: If you sponsor local events, highlight that to build trust and authority in your community.
Final Thoughts
Completing this local SEO checklist will position your business for long-term success in local search results. Each task has been designed to be manageable and impactful, fitting into even the busiest schedule of a local business owner. By consistently working on these steps and repeating the process throughout the year, your local SEO campaign will drive more traffic, improve your visibility, and help you connect with more local customers.
Take action today and watch your local search rankings climb as you attract more customers from your community!
