The Ultimate Local SEO Checklist
This is the exact checklist we use when onboarding new clients. Follow these 50 points, and you'll dominate your local market.
Google Business Profile (GBP) - 15 Points
Profile Completeness
- [ ] Business name matches exactly (no keyword stuffing)
- [ ] Primary category is most specific possible
- [ ] All relevant secondary categories selected
- [ ] Business description is 750 characters, keyword-rich
- [ ] All services listed individually
- [ ] Business hours accurate and up-to-date
- [ ] Phone number is local (not 800 number)
- [ ] Website URL is correct and working
- [ ] All attributes selected (Wheelchair Accessible, etc.)
Visual Assets
- [ ] Logo uploaded (high quality)
- [ ] Cover photo uploaded
- [ ] At least 20 photos (interior, exterior, team, work)
- [ ] Photos added weekly (shows active business)
- [ ] Video uploaded (optional but powerful)
Engagement
- [ ] Responding to all reviews (within 24 hours)
- [ ] Posting 2-3 times per week
Website Optimization - 10 Points
Technical SEO
- [ ] NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on every page
- [ ] NAP matches GBP exactly
- [ ] Schema markup added (LocalBusiness)
- [ ] Mobile-responsive design
- [ ] Page speed under 2 seconds
- [ ] SSL certificate installed (HTTPS)
Content
- [ ] Location-specific landing pages created
- [ ] Service pages optimized for local keywords
- [ ] About page mentions service areas
- [ ] Contact page has map embed
Citations & Directories - 10 Points
Major Directories
- [ ] Google Business Profile (claimed & optimized)
- [ ] Yelp (claimed & optimized)
- [ ] Bing Places (claimed)
- [ ] Apple Maps (claimed)
- [ ] Facebook Business Page (created & linked)
Industry Directories
- [ ] BBB (Better Business Bureau)
- [ ] YellowPages
- [ ] Angi (if applicable)
- [ ] HomeAdvisor (if applicable)
- [ ] Industry-specific directories (find 3-5)
Local Directories
- [ ] Chamber of Commerce
- [ ] Local business associations
- [ ] City/town business listings
Reviews & Reputation - 8 Points
Review Generation
- [ ] Review generation system set up
- [ ] Direct review links created
- [ ] Automated review requests configured
- [ ] Review velocity: 3-5 per month minimum
Review Management
- [ ] All reviews responded to
- [ ] Negative reviews handled professionally
- [ ] Review diversity (Google, Yelp, Facebook)
- [ ] Review content is detailed (not just stars)
Content & Backlinks - 7 Points
Content Strategy
- [ ] Blog posts targeting local keywords
- [ ] Location-specific content (city pages)
- [ ] Service area content
- [ ] Customer testimonials on site
Link Building
- [ ] Local news/press mentions
- [ ] Local business partnerships
- [ ] Community involvement content
- [ ] Local backlinks from reputable sites
How to Use This Checklist
Week 1-2: Complete GBP and Website sections (25 points) Week 3-4: Build citations and set up reviews (18 points) Week 5-8: Content creation and link building (7 points)
Goal: Complete all 50 points within 90 days.
The Results
Clients who complete this checklist see:
- Top 3 Map Pack rankings within 60-90 days
- 2-3x increase in phone calls
- Higher quality leads (better conversion rates)
- Long-term authority (sustainable rankings)
Need Help?
This checklist is comprehensive, but execution matters. Get a free audit and we'll show you exactly where you stand and what needs to be done first.