The 45-Point Local SEO Checklist: Dominate Google Maps Rankings

If you run a local business and you’re not showing up on Google Maps, you’re losing work to competitors who are. Ranking well in local search can make or break a local business, so we put together a 45-point checklist to help you climb the Maps rankings and attract more local customers.

Why Local SEO Matters

A few numbers worth knowing before you start:

• 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information
• 88% of consumers who do a local search on their smartphone visit or call a store within a day
• 97% of people learn more about a local company online than anywhere else

According to a study by BrightLocal, 93% of consumers used the internet to find a local business in the last year, with 87% reading online reviews for local businesses. Your local online presence is where customers form their first impression.

The 45-Point Local SEO Checklist

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

1. Select the correct primary and secondary category. Research top businesses in your area and use tools like GMB Everywhere to find optimal categories.
2. Add keywords to your business name. Include service and location keywords if legally allowed, and keep the name consistent across all directories.
3. Complete your Google Business Profile. Fill out all details, including hours, locations, and services offered.
4. List your services. Add all your services in the Products section, including relevant keywords.
5. Make your listing interactive. Add images, FAQs, and posts to engage users.
6. Upload more images. Add plenty of high-quality photos to your profile.
7. List your opening hours. Make sure accurate business hours are filled in.
8. Add videos. Upload engaging videos to improve interaction.
9. Post regularly. Keep your profile active with regular updates.
10. Link social media profiles. Add links to your social media accounts.
11. Add an FAQ section. Include commonly asked questions and answers.

Manage Your Reviews

12. Aim for high Google ratings. Strive for a 4.7-star rating or above.
13. Encourage detailed reviews. Ask customers to mention specific services and results.
14. Maintain a consistent flow of reviews. Aim for a steady stream each month.
15. Include keywords in reviews. Ask customers to mention the services you provided.
16. Encourage photos in reviews. Photos in reviews add extra SEO benefit.
17. Respond to all reviews. Reply to every review, working keywords into your responses naturally.
18. Handle negative reviews. Respond professionally and keep new reviews coming to push them down.

Optimize Your Website

19. Create service-specific pages. Build a separate, optimized page for each service.
20. Use keywords strategically. Include relevant keywords in headers, subheaders, and content.
21. Optimize your domain. If possible, include service and location keywords in your domain name.
22. Use internal linking. Make sure all pages link back to the homepage and to each other.
23. Produce quality content. Regularly update your site with relevant, high-quality content.
24. Secure your site. Your website should use HTTPS.
25. Improve website speed. Aim for a load time of 1.65 seconds or less. A study by Portent found that the first five seconds of page load time have the highest impact on conversion rates.
26. Use mobile-friendly design. Your site should be responsive and fast on phones.
27. Implement local schema. Add local schema markup to help Google understand your business information.
28. Optimize images. Use descriptive alt text for all images.
29. Create a sitemap. Generate and submit a sitemap so Google can index your site.
30. Embed your Google listing. Add your Google Business Profile map to your contact page or footer.

Build Your Online Presence

31. Acquire local inbound links. Get backlinks from local directories and websites.
32. Ensure citation consistency. Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) identical across all directories.
33. Focus on link quality. Prioritize backlinks from high-authority sites.
34. Optimize anchor text. When guest posting, use relevant keywords in anchor text.
35. Gather third-party reviews. Build positive reviews on sites like Yelp and industry-specific directories.
36. List on other maps. Add your business to Bing Maps and Apple Maps for extra exposure.
37. Use industry-specific directories. Get listed on relevant niche directories.
38. Increase domain authority. Build more content and earn high-quality backlinks over time.

Advanced Strategies

39. Niche down your website. Focus on ranking for one core service on your Google profile.
40. Physical location matters. A location near the city center helps if you can get one.
41. Avoid keyword spamming. Don’t stuff keywords or create multiple profiles.
42. Enter correct service areas. List all the areas you serve in your Google profile.
43. Leverage social proof. Make reviews easy with direct links or QR codes.
44. Update content consistently. Post regular updates, blog posts, or news on your website.
45. Monitor and adjust. Review your SEO performance regularly and adjust as needed.

Working through this checklist will meaningfully improve your Google Maps rankings, but it won’t happen overnight. Pick a handful of items each week, stay consistent, and track your progress. If you’d rather have expert help, contact Slade Insights for a personalized strategy. You can also download the free Local SEO Checklist to work through at your own pace.