Local SEO Cheat Sheet
Everything you need to show up when locals search
The complete one-page reference for ranking in local search: Google Business Profile fields, a copy-paste review-request script, title-tag formulas with examples, the exact keywords customers type, and the mistakes that get you penalized.
Best for: Local businesses that want more nearby customers
What’s inside
Google Business Profile
- Use your real business name, never keyword-stuffed
- Pick one primary category plus all relevant extras
- Write a description with your services and city
- Add 10+ real photos: storefront, team, work, logo
- Set the service areas and towns you cover
- Post weekly: offers, updates, and photos
- Fill every field; completeness improves ranking
Reviews That Build Trust
- Ask in person right after a great job
- Text the direct review link within 24 hours
- Aim for a steady trickle, not a sudden spike
- Reply to every review within 48 hours
- Never buy reviews; Google removes them
- Script: Thanks again! A quick Google review really helps our small business
Keywords Locals Type
- service + near me
- service + in + your city
- best + service + city
- 24 hour or emergency + service
On-Page Local Signals
- Title formula: Service + City + Business Name
- Example: Roof Repair Austin | Apex Roofing
- One page for each main service
- One page for each city you serve
- Put name, address, phone in the footer
- Embed a Google Map on your contact page
- Add LocalBusiness schema markup
Citations and Consistency
- List on Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Facebook
- Use identical name, address, phone everywhere
- Add industry directories for your trade
- Fix or remove old listings with wrong info
Avoid These Mistakes
- A fake address or virtual office
- A keyword-stuffed business name
- Ignoring or arguing with negative reviews
- Different phone numbers across listings
- A website that is slow on phones
Recommended Resources
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