Local SEO Checklist

Ranking locally on Google is one of the fastest ways to increase traffic and conversions to your website or physical location. Local rankings require a different set of strategies to ensure long-term, sustainable results.

Below is a concise checklist to help you get the most out of your
local SEO efforts, no matter where your business operates.

• Keyword research and discovery
• Optimize your website
• Optimize your Google Business Profile
• Build social presence
• Streamline review channels
• Seek backlinks
• UI / UX optimization

Keyword Research & Discovery

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful local SEO strategy. The goal is to identify keywords that attract **relevant traffic with intent to convert**.

For example, targeting a broad keyword like “SEO” or “Search Engine Optimization” often produces low-quality traffic with unclear intent. These searches are typically informational and rarely lead to conversions.

Adding a geographic modifier signals intent. Someone searching for “SEO services in Denver” or “SEO agency near me” is far more likely to be evaluating providers.

For Firestarter SEO, keywords that combine **service + location + provider intent** perform significantly better than generic SEO terms. As long as these keywords show search volume and align with user intent, they can drive highly qualified leads.

Optimize Your Website

Optimizing your website around your target keywords helps establish relevance and authority for local search results. The more trust your domain builds, the stronger your local visibility becomes.

Take time to review on-site optimization fundamentals:
– Ensure all important pages are accessible
– Remove or redirect dead pages
– Optimize metadata (title tags, meta descriptions)
– Structure content clearly for users and search engines

Your website should make it obvious what services you offer, where you offer them, and how users can take the next step.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful tools for local visibility. It feeds Google verified information about your business and is a major factor in map results and local listings.

To optimize your profile:
– Create and publish your profile
– Set service areas (if applicable)
– Choose accurate primary and secondary categories
– Write a clear business description
– Upload photos and posts
– Verify ownership
– Collect and respond to reviews
– Publish updates using Google Posts

This is often the fastest way to increase visibility with relatively low effort. As local search continues to evolve, keeping your profile active and accurate becomes increasingly important.

Optimizing Ongoing Efforts

Once your website and Google Business Profile are optimized, long-term growth depends on consistency.

Ongoing local SEO efforts include:
– Building and maintaining a social presence
– Making it easy for customers to leave reviews
– Earning backlinks from relevant websites
– Improving trust and authority signals
– Refining UI and UX to improve conversions

As your brand becomes more established, outreach for backlinks and mentions becomes easier, further strengthening your authority in local search.

Continual optimization ensures you stay competitive, visible, and aligned with how users search and convert today.