Local SEO Checklist

A local SEO checklist should cover three areas: your Google Business Profile, on-page SEO and reviews. This one ranks each item by priority so you fix the biggest gaps first.

It's the map results Google shows first for local searches. Getting into it puts your business in front of nearby customers before the regular results.

At least 10 high-quality photos, according to this checklist. Real photos of your team, work and location help customers trust you.

Yes. Putting the town name in the main H1 is a high-priority item because it tells Google and visitors exactly where you work.

There's no fixed number. Aim for more reviews than the top 3 competitors, an average of 4.5 stars or higher, and new reviews every month.

Yes. An owner response on every review, positive or negative, is on the checklist because it shows customers and Google that you're active and engaged.

Start with the high-priority items: claim and verify your profile, set the right primary category, keep hours accurate, put your town in your H1 and build review count and rating.

The full checklist plus 15 additional advanced tactics, in a printable version you can work through for your town and industry.