Local SEO is the key to helping businesses stand out in their community, driving foot traffic and local online visibility. In a detailed YouTube video by Jacky Chou of Local Rank our favorite Google Busines Profile Rank Tracker Tool he provides a comprehensive checklist of 65 Local SEO strategies is shared to optimize your local presence.
Below, we’ve distilled these strategies into a clear, actionable guide to help your business dominate local search results. We also have our own blog post with more helpful information to rank your Google Business Profiles and rank higher on Google maps for local searches in your area based on your address and what you do.
Here’s the video if you prefer to watch, listen to the 65 points. Below is a list that you can refer to from this blog post, link to it, share it ect..
Why Local SEO Matters
Local SEO ensures your business appears in searches like “near me” or location-specific queries on Google, Bing, and other platforms. By focusing on these 65 points, you can improve your rankings, attract more customers, and build trust in your community.
65 Points of Local SEO: Your Complete Checklist
These strategies are grouped into key areas: Google Business Profile (GBP), Website Optimization, Citations, Reviews, Content, Link Building, Social Media, Tracking, and Advanced Tactics. Implement these to boost your local search performance.
1. Google Business Profile (GBP) Optimization (Points 1–15)
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Claim and verify your GBP listing.
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Ensure your business name is accurate and consistent.
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Add a complete address with correct ZIP code.
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Use a local phone number (not toll-free).
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Select the most relevant primary category.
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Add secondary categories to cover all services.
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Write a detailed business description with keywords.
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Upload high-quality photos of your storefront, interior, and products.
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Add products or services to your GBP.
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Set accurate business hours, including holidays.
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Enable messaging for customer inquiries.
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Post regular updates (e.g., offers, events).
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Use GBP attributes (e.g., “wheelchair accessible”).
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Respond to all Q&A on your profile.
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Monitor and flag inappropriate content on GBP.
2. Website Optimization (Points 16–30)
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Create a mobile-friendly, responsive website.
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Optimize page load speed (under 3 seconds).
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Use local keywords in page titles (e.g., “Boston plumber”).
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Include city and state in meta descriptions.
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Add schema markup for local business details.
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Embed a Google Map with your location.
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Create location-specific landing pages.
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Optimize H1 and H2 tags with local terms.
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Include your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on every page.
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Add a clickable phone number for mobile users.
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Use HTTPS for secure browsing.
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Optimize images with local alt text (e.g., “Chicago bakery storefront”).
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Create an “About” page with local history.
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Add testimonials from local customers.
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Ensure your site is accessible (WCAG compliance).
3. Citations and Directories (Points 31–40)
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Submit to major directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages).
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Ensure NAP consistency across all citations.
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Claim listings on industry-specific directories.
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Remove duplicate listings on directories.
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Update citations after a business move or rebrand.
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Use tools like Moz Local or Yext for citation management.
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Submit to local chamber of commerce directories.
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Get listed on city or neighborhood websites.
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Monitor citation accuracy monthly.
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Build citations on high-authority sites first.
4. Reviews and Reputation (Points 41–50)
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Encourage reviews on Google Business Profile.
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Make review requests easy with a direct link.
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Respond to all reviews, positive or negative.
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Address negative reviews professionally.
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Encourage reviews on secondary platforms (e.g., Yelp, Facebook).
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Avoid incentivizing reviews (against Google’s guidelines).
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Showcase reviews on your website.
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Monitor review sentiment with tools like ReviewTrackers.
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Train staff to prompt happy customers for reviews.
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Report fake or spam reviews to Google.
5. Content and Blogging (Points 51–55)
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Write blog posts about local events or news.
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Create content addressing local customer pain points.
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Use local keywords naturally in blog posts.
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Share case studies of local clients.
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Produce videos showcasing your business’s community involvement.
6. Link Building (Points 56–60)
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Get backlinks from local news sites or blogs.
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Sponsor local events for branded links.
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Partner with local businesses for link exchanges.
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Submit guest posts to local websites.
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Ensure all backlinks are from reputable sources.
7. Social Media and Engagement (Points 61–63)
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Post local content on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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Engage with local followers through comments and DMs.
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Use location tags and hashtags in social posts.
8. Tracking and Analytics (Points 64–65)
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Track local rankings with tools like BrightLocal or SEMrush.
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Monitor GBP insights for clicks, calls, and direction requests.
How to Get Started
First sign up for Local Rank to track your rankings and scan your Google Business Profile map to see where your keywords currently rank to get a starting point. It’s a great tool and Local Dominator alternative.
Implementing all 65 points may seem daunting, but prioritize high-impact tasks first: optimize your GBP, ensure NAP consistency, and encourage reviews. Use tools to streamline citation management and track progress. Over time, these strategies will compound, boosting your visibility in local search results. If you want us to handle this for you give us a call or contact us to get a free website report and Local SEO pricing.
Conclusion
Mastering Local SEO is about being thorough and consistent. By following these 65 strategies from BrightLocal’s video, you can position your business as the go-to choice for local customers. Start with the low-hanging fruit, monitor your progress, and watch your local rankings soar. Again, if you don’t have the time, patient, or expertise to handle this call or contact our team at Lifted Websites for help and Local SEO pricing.
