Best Local SEO Checklist

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The best Local SEO checklist has not changed. Sure, Google My Business is now Google Business Profile, but the foundational strategy is very similar. The best Local SEO checklist always contains social signals that were not as prominent 5-years ago. The importance of following a local seo checklist while setting up on-page and off-page seo stems from search engine algorithm changes.

So what is an algorithm? (pronounced AL-go-rith-um) it’s a a procedure or formula for solving a problem. Google, Yahoo, and Bing make changes all year long. Google is said to make over 500 algorithm changes per year. Of course just of fraction of those changes is related to local search. Nobody knows the best “Local SEO” formula from Google to get a business found online. All we can do is test, test, test, and then make recommendations to clients as to what is working. That’s why clients are willing to invest in monthly SEO services as that’s the only way to stay on top of what’s working this month.

Businesses continue to use methods that worked last year or the year before. Many are told erroneous ideas and methods that will not work at all in 2022. I can typically cite examples of car dealers or aircraft service providers who have existed in a particular market for decades, but yet there is no page #1 Google listing for that businesses products or services. How is this possible when they have been around so long? They reason they can’t be found is because the search engines cannot understand the data, or lack thereof both on the businesses website and also in respective local listings.

How To Implement a Local SEO Checklist

A Local SEO Checklist properly implemented  ensures search engines recognize your  business location and make it visible for any user selected keywords or keyword phrases.

Google “My Business” was Google Places years ago, and now it’s Google Business Profile.

It’s  imperative that your local business has this  setup correctly. It helps get your business found across all of Google. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting this first step, especially if you lease or own a physical, brick and mortar location. If your a online e-commerce store, then it’s not critical, but still important. Physical locations are tied to Google Maps and really come into play when someone is using a smartphone.

So why is important for your business to show-up? Because 46% of all searches include local intent, meaning someone locally is looking for your product or services. If your ready to stop reading and make a move towards showing up locally on a smartphone, contact us today!

Many of those searchers will arrive at your location within 24-hours!

Does it seem my blog posts are focused on Local SEO? Do I harp about getting found online, being visible in local searches, making sure the search engines can find you? The answer is yes, I have been focusing efforts on Local SEO because a very large percentage of business owners still don’t have this figured out. Either they are not paying attention, don’t want to pay attention, have not hired anyone to take care of it, hired someone who screwed it up, or just don’t think it’s important.

I am not sure why someone starting a business in 2022 (and hopes to stay open for years to come) would not want people to find them on page #1 Google. Especially on a smartphone!

Local SEO Checklist

Setup a Google GMAIL account or use your existing account.

Claim your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) if you have not done so already. Search for your business using Google Maps, hit the “Claim This Business” button.

Verify business information is correct (NAP) Name, Address, and Phone number must match across the web exactly! This information could be your house if that is your main office.

Follow verification process if not completed already. Google will send a postcard with special “code” via snail mail. There are other forms of verification too, just choose one.

Setup your Google Business Profile page once you get postcard returned and verification is completed. Fill out all fields including business hours, products, and services. Draft ABOUT section of profile with up to 750-words. Try to use keyword phrases people use to find your products and services. Include the cities you do business in.

It should look something like this when completed and searching for your business online.

On-Page Optimization (hire an expert to complete this task) and No, it’s not OK to ask your website designer. Hire a qualified Local SEO who has proof of ranking web pages locally. They must prove page #1 Google. Success depends on your market and competition.

Off-Page Optimization 
– complete citations as specified in #9
– optimize social profiles (Facebook,Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, etc.)

Make sure NAP (name, address, and phone are exactly as you entered across all profiles.
– make sure your using the SAME phone number across all properties. Search engines are looking for consistency across all local business citations, not discrepancies.

Register with Google Search Console Tools (there is a ton you can do in here, find someone who knows how to use it)

Create business Citations (pertinent business information) across most appropriate websites.

The best Business Citation sites depends on your market, your niche, your product and your services. If there is a dedicated directory for your type business, get setup with those too.

Here are the suggested sites for Portland, Oregon according to MOZ.

Local SEO Portland, OR Top Citation Sources in Portland, OR

Local SEO For Car Dealer’s

Claim your Yelp Business page, go  through verification, and set it up. Add  content, make it nice, spend some time, and  use keywords.

REVIEWS: Improve your search engine results and rankings by diversifying reviews. Google Business Profile Analytic’s will allow you to see all reviews across the web. That’s why you need to get that account done. Get your happy customers talking about your business by leaving reviews out on Google. Send them links to your GBP, Google Business Profile. Review Sites focused on specific niches (Automotive, Auto Repair, Air Charter, Lawyers, Dentist, etc.) are certainly ok, nothing beats Google Reviews. Do some searches in your local market to identify the Review Sites that dominate in your niche. This could change tomorrow, but at least you’ll have a place to start.

In Addition to Google, use Specific Directories

If you own a restaurant, use UrbanSpoon.com, if you own a Car Dealership, use DealerRater.com and so on.

Go to Schema.org and follow instructions. Hire a professional Local SEO or follow DIY procedures to a add mark-up microdata to all of your web pages. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all collaborated in the Schema.org project, so you’ll know this works for all search engines. This process allows the search engines to “interpret” the information on a page. Once your website is “crawlable” search spiders can differentiate between such things as events, reviews, organizations, places, people, and much more. Most importantly, it will help your site stand out from the competition. It’s highly unlikely they have taken the time to implement this sorely missed strategy.

Sign-up for FREE Google Search Console and Google Analytics Tools! These tools will give you the insights you need expand your digital marketing across websites.

Summary

A tried and true Local SEO strategy elevates your business from the competition. One recent study suggested 68.7% of all website domains are without Schema integration. The obvious benefits include, visibility in local search, boost to your local brand awareness, and the peace-of-mind that comes from finally showing up locally. (where the bulk of your business comes from)