This is the checklist we use when auditing a new client's local search presence. Work through it section by section and you'll be ahead of 90% of your local competitors.
For the full explanation of why each item matters, see our step-by-step local SEO guide.
🏆 Priority 1: Google Business Profile (Do These First)
- ☐ Claim and verify your Google Business Profile
- ☐ Choose the correct primary category (research competitors if unsure)
- ☐ Add all relevant secondary categories
- ☐ Write a complete 750-character business description (mention services + cities)
- ☐ List every service with individual descriptions
- ☐ Set service area (all cities you serve)
- ☐ Add accurate business hours (including holiday hours)
- ☐ Upload 20+ high-quality photos (interior, exterior, team, work examples)
- ☐ Add a video to your profile
- ☐ Fill in all applicable attributes
- ☐ Seed 10+ Q&A entries with keyword-rich answers
- ☐ Create a short review request link (Share → Copy link)
- ☐ Publish your first GBP post
- ☐ Set up weekly GBP posting schedule
⭐ Priority 2: Reviews
- ☐ Send review requests to your 10 happiest current customers
- ☐ Set up automated post-service review request (email or text via CRM)
- ☐ Create a QR code linking to your review form
- ☐ Respond to all existing reviews (positive and negative)
- ☐ Commit to responding to new reviews within 24 hours
- ☐ Set up Google review monitoring alerts
📍 Priority 3: Citations and NAP Consistency
- ☐ Decide on your exact NAP format (and stick to it everywhere)
- ☐ Ensure your website footer NAP matches your GBP exactly
- ☐ Claim/update Bing Places listing
- ☐ Claim/update Apple Maps listing
- ☐ Claim/update Yelp listing
- ☐ Claim/update Facebook Business Page
- ☐ Add/update BBB listing
- ☐ Get listed in your local Chamber of Commerce directory
- ☐ List in relevant industry-specific directories
- ☐ Run a citation audit (Whitespark or BrightLocal) and fix inconsistencies
🌐 Priority 4: Website On-Page SEO
- ☐ Homepage title tag includes primary service + city
- ☐ Each key service page has a unique, keyword-optimized title tag
- ☐ Meta descriptions written for every main page
- ☐ Add LocalBusiness schema markup (JSON-LD) to your site
- ☐ Embed a Google Map on your contact page
- ☐ Address and phone displayed in footer (matching NAP)
- ☐ Service area cities mentioned naturally in content
- ☐ Site is mobile-friendly (test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test)
- ☐ Page speed is acceptable (test with PageSpeed Insights — aim for 70+ mobile)
- ☐ HTTPS enabled (padlock in browser)
📝 Priority 5: Content and Links
- ☐ Create a dedicated page for each core service
- ☐ Create location pages for each city/area you serve
- ☐ Publish at least one blog post per month (locally relevant)
- ☐ Get listed on your local Chamber website (earns a local backlink)
- ☐ Look for local sponsorship or community partnership link opportunities
📊 Priority 6: Tracking and Measurement
- ☐ Google Search Console verified and connected
- ☐ GA4 installed and configured on your website
- ☐ Conversion tracking set up (form submissions, phone clicks)
- ☐ Review GBP Insights monthly (views, searches, calls, directions)
- ☐ Track keyword rankings for your top 10 target terms
How to Prioritize
If you're starting from zero, tackle them in the order listed above. Google Business Profile optimization has the most immediate impact. Citations and reviews compound over time. Website work and content build long-term authority.
If you're short on time, focus on:
- GBP fully filled out
- Getting 15+ reviews
- NAP consistency across the top 5 directories
That alone puts you ahead of most local competitors.
Want This Done For You?
Start with a free SEO audit — we'll run through this checklist for your business and show you exactly where the gaps are.
Or let us handle the whole thing: Local SEO service →
Buzz Cue is a Poulsbo marketing agency helping Kitsap County small businesses dominate local search. Get in touch →