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Local SEO checklist: 30 checks to rank in your area

October 18, 2026

Go through each check and tick what you already have. Your score shows how ready you are to rank in your area, and the unchecked items show what to fix first.

Google Business Profile

Profile is claimed and verified
Business name matches your real name, with no added keywords
Primary category is the most accurate one for your core business
Secondary categories cover your other main services
Every service is listed with a short description
Hours are accurate, including holidays
At least 10 real photos, with new photos added monthly
You publish a post at least once a week
Common questions are added and answered in Q&A

Reviews

You ask every happy customer for a review
You have a direct review link and send it by text or email
You receive new reviews every month
You reply to every review, positive and negative
You have more reviews than most competitors in the map results

Website

Loads in under 3 seconds on a phone
Phone number is visible and tappable on every page
Every main service has its own page
Main cities or areas you serve have useful pages
Each page has a unique title and meta description
Name, address and phone match your Google profile exactly
LocalBusiness schema markup is in place
Website is secure (HTTPS)
Google Search Console and analytics are set up

Citations and links

Listed on Bing Places and Apple Business Connect
Listed on Yelp and major industry directories
Business details are consistent everywhere
Links from local organizations, associations or media

Content and tracking

You publish helpful content that answers customer questions
Calls and form submissions are tracked
You know which pages and channels bring customers

What your score means

25–30: Strong foundation. Focus on content, links and reviews to pull ahead.
15–24: Good start with clear gaps. Fix the unchecked items in the Google Business Profile and website sections first.
Under 15: Big opportunity. The basics will bring the fastest results.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most important item on the checklist?

For most local businesses, the Google Business Profile: the right primary category, complete services and a steady flow of reviews.

How often should I review my local SEO?

A full review every quarter, and a quick check of your Google profile and reviews every week.

Service
Local SEO
Local SEO services that help small businesses rank in Google Maps and local search. Content, Google Business Profile, reviews and clear monthly reports.
Guide
Google Business Profile guide
A step-by-step guide to optimizing your Google Business Profile: categories, services, photos, posts, Q&A and reviews to rank higher in Google Maps.
Free audit
Free audit
Get a free video audit of your website, Google Business Profile and local rankings. Clear priorities, no obligation, delivered in 2 business days.

Learn more

Read our Google Business Profile guide and how to get more Google reviews, or let us check everything for you with a free audit. Our local SEO services cover every item on this list.