Local SEO Checklist 2025 for Small Business
Tune what Google shows, showcase real proof each week, and measure the channel like revenue. This 30-day sprint gets your local presence conversion-ready.
Snapshot: where the wins come from
Local rankings reward businesses that keep their storefront tidy online: verified data, consistent visuals, and fast paths from curiosity to booking. Treat this checklist like a one-month sprint and document every change so you can tie call volume to the work.
1) Google Business Profile baseline
This is your storefront in Google. Trust comes from complete data plus steady freshness signals.
- Fill every field: primary and secondary categories, services, hours, service area, and public holiday overrides.
- Upload 12-20 authentic photos covering team, work in progress, exterior, interior, and final results.
- Tag the website, appointment, and WhatsApp links with UTM parameters so you can see them inside GA4.
- Activate Q&A and seed the top five questions prospects ask before they call.
Day 1
Audit every field. Fix duplicates, check pin location, and align your NAP data across directories.
Day 3
Batch new photos, add descriptive captions, and post a current offer that links to your best landing page.
Week 2
Publish a FAQ post, reply to any open Q&A, and invite three recent clients for reviews.
Monthly
Add two fresh photos, one post, and a quick update. Consistency keeps you in Google’s short list.
2) Reviews that signal momentum
Google cares less about your total count and more about the cadence and relevance of new reviews.
Right after delivery or inspection, send the short link or QR code with a personal thank-you.
Reference the service, location, and next step (maintenance visit, follow-up, etc.) within 24-48 hours.
- Embed the top two testimonials near your primary CTAs on-site.
- Screenshot standout reviews and reuse them inside GBP posts and service pages.
- Tag review responses with service keywords naturally (“roof inspection in Plano”) to reinforce relevance.
3) On-page fast fixes
Give every service page one clear job: rank for “Service + City” and convert the visitor within a minute.
Unique title under 60 characters, 150-160 character meta description, H1 pairing service and city, alt text with context, and LocalBusiness + Service schema markup.
Hero with proof, pain solved, process timeline, pricing context, social proof, CTA to quote or WhatsApp, then FAQs.
4) Track what matters
Move past vanity metrics. Align the whole team on the three actions that turn into revenue.
- Events: quote form submissions, click-to-call, WhatsApp tap, and direction requests.
- Weekly scoreboard: leads by source, closed deals, GBP insights (calls, direction requests, messages).
- Annotate big changes (new offer, campaign launch) so you can explain spikes without guessing.
5) Internal links that sell
Blogs should pull visitors toward buying decisions. Use contextual links that read like helpful suggestions.
“See our custom kitchen remodeling in Frisco” — point to the service or portfolio page.
Drop review snippets or mini case studies directly under every CTA so trust is always one scroll away.