Local SEO decides whether your business appears when someone nearby searches for what you sell. Most small businesses lose customers because of simple gaps. Use this checklist to find yours.
1. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile
Pick the most accurate primary category, add every service, upload real photos and set your exact opening hours. A complete profile is the single biggest local ranking factor you control.
2. Keep your NAP identical everywhere
NAP means Name, Address and Phone. Write them exactly the same way on your website, Google, Facebook and every directory. "Street" and "St." or an old phone number split your ranking signals.
3. Build citations on trusted directories
Citations are listings of your business on directories such as Yelp, Bing Places, Yell (UK) and industry sites. Start with the main ones in your country, then add niche directories for your industry.
4. Ask for reviews every week
Send a short link to happy customers. Reply to every review, good or bad. Steady new reviews matter more than a big batch once a year.
5. Create a page for each service and area
One page that lists everything ranks for nothing. A dedicated page for "boiler repair in Leeds" can rank for exactly that search.
6. Add LocalBusiness schema
Schema markup tells Google your business type, address, hours and phone in a format it reads directly.
Quick list
- Google Business Profile complete and verified
- Same NAP on website and all listings
- Top 30 citations for your country
- Industry directories
- Weekly review requests
- Service and area pages
- LocalBusiness schema
- Mobile-friendly, fast website
- Click-to-call and WhatsApp buttons
- Google posts every week
- Photos added every month
- Rankings tracked monthly
Not sure where you stand? Use our free local SEO checker or ask us for a free audit.
We do this work every day for clients worldwide. Ask for a free audit.
