Local SEO Guide
Google Business Profile Checklist
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile (GBP)
- Business name matches exactly as it appears in real life (no keyword stuffing)
- Address is accurate and formatted consistently
- Phone number is local (not toll-free) and consistent
- Primary business category is the most specific and accurate option
- Add secondary categories where relevant
- Business hours are accurate and updated for holidays
- Add high-quality photos (exterior, interior, products, team)
- Use Google Posts regularly (offers, events, updates)
- Enable messaging and respond to reviews promptly
- Add products/services with descriptions and prices
- Q&A section monitored and answered
NAP Consistency
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Name | Exact same name across all directories and your website |
| Address | Full address including suite/unit numbers, consistent abbreviations |
| Phone | Same local number format everywhere (+1 555-123-4567 vs 555.123.4567) |
| Website URL | Consistent (always with or without www/trailing slash) |
Local Citation Sources
| Tier | Sources |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Essential) | Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yelp, Facebook |
| Tier 2 (Important) | Yellow Pages, Foursquare, Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce |
| Tier 3 (Industry) | Niche directories specific to your business category |
LocalBusiness Structured Data
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Best Coffee Shop",
"image": "https://example.com/photo.jpg",
"@id": "https://example.com",
"url": "https://example.com",
"telephone": "+1-555-123-4567",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
"addressLocality": "San Francisco",
"addressRegion": "CA",
"postalCode": "94105",
"addressCountry": "US"
},
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": 37.7749,
"longitude": -122.4194
},
"openingHoursSpecification": [
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": ["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday"],
"opens": "08:00",
"closes": "18:00"
}
],
"sameAs": [
"https://www.yelp.com/biz/example",
"https://www.facebook.com/example"
]
}
Review Management
- Respond to all Google reviews (positive and negative) within 48 hours
- Use review request templates via email/SMS after service
- Never incentivize or buy reviews (violation of Google policy)
- Address negative reviews professionally and offer solutions
- Monitor reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites