Local SEO Checklist for Small Businesses
Local SEO does not need to be complicated or expensive. It mostly comes down to a handful of practical basics, done properly and kept up to date. No one can guarantee where you will rank, but this checklist covers the things genuinely worth getting right.
Google Business Profile
- Claim and verify your profile if you have not already.
- Fill in your correct business name, category, address or service area, and phone number.
- Add accurate opening hours, and update them around bank holidays.
- Write a clear, honest description of what you do, who for, and where. Our Google description generator gives you a solid starting point.
- Add genuine, recent photos of your premises, work and team.
- Add your website link in the website field.
Reviews
- Ask happy customers for a review, ideally right after a good experience.
- Send the direct review link to make it as easy as possible.
- Reply to every review, thank people for positive ones and respond calmly to negative ones.
- Never buy reviews or ask staff to post fake ones, it breaks the rules and risks your listing.
A simple website
A website is not a ranking guarantee, but it supports your overall local presence and gives customers a fuller picture than a profile alone can. At minimum, it is worth having:
- Your services and prices clearly laid out.
- A few honest photos of your work or premises.
- Your reviews or testimonials.
- Opening hours and a clear way to get in touch or book.
Not sure what to include? Try the website readiness checker or one-page website planner to work through it step by step.
Consistent details everywhere
- Check your business name, address and phone number match exactly across your Google profile, website, and any other directories.
- Update every listing when anything changes, a new phone number, a house move, new hours.
- Set a reminder every few months to check nothing has slipped out of date.
Ongoing habits worth keeping
- Post updates or offers on your Google profile every so often.
- Answer any questions in the Q&A section on your profile yourself.
- Refresh your photos periodically rather than leaving old ones up for years.
- Re-read your description and website content every few months to check it is still accurate.
None of this guarantees a top ranking, and be wary of anyone who claims it can. What it does is give your business a fair, honest shot at being found and trusted locally.
The website part, handled
LaunchSite builds and manages a simple one-page website you can link from your Google Business Profile, covering the services, prices, photos and hours a customer wants to see. It is £39.99/month on a 24-month plan, with no upfront build fee, and your first draft arrives within 3 working days of completed onboarding. Hosting, SSL, a standard domain, email forwarding and monthly updates are all included.