Local SEO Checklist 2025: Complete Guide for Local Businesses
Everything you need to rank in local search results. From Google Business Profile to local citations, this checklist covers it all.
46%
of Google searches have local intent
88%
of consumers trust online reviews
78%
of local mobile searches lead to purchase
Local SEO is essential for any business that serves customers in a specific geographic area. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to optimize for local search in 2025.
Google Business Profile Optimization
GBP Checklist
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile
- Complete all business information fields
- Choose primary and secondary categories
- Add high-quality photos (exterior, interior, team, products)
- Write a compelling business description with keywords
- Add all services with descriptions
- Set accurate business hours (including holidays)
- Enable messaging and Q&A
- Post weekly updates (offers, events, news)
- Add products or services menu
NAP Consistency
NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency is critical for local SEO. Your business information must be identical everywhere it appears online.
NAP Checklist
- Document your official NAP format
- Add NAP to website header/footer
- Include NAP on Contact page
- Audit existing citations for consistency
- Fix any inconsistencies found
- Use schema markup for structured NAP
Local Citations
Citation Checklist
- Submit to major data aggregators (Data Axle, Factual, Neustar)
- Claim Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps
- Submit to industry-specific directories
- Claim local/regional directories
- Join local Chamber of Commerce
- Submit to BBB (if applicable)
Review Strategy
Review Checklist
- Create a review generation process
- Set up review request emails/SMS
- Respond to all reviews (positive and negative)
- Flag and report fake reviews
- Diversify review platforms (Google, Yelp, industry-specific)
- Add review schema markup to website
On-Page Local SEO
On-Page Checklist
- Include city/location in title tags
- Add location to meta descriptions
- Create location-specific landing pages
- Embed Google Map on Contact page
- Implement LocalBusiness schema markup
- Create location-specific content (area guides, local news)
Local Link Building
Local Link Checklist
- Partner with local businesses for cross-links
- Sponsor local events and organizations
- Get featured in local news and publications
- Join local business associations
- Create linkable local resources
Adding GEO to Your Local Strategy
In 2025, local SEO isn't complete without GEO. Many local searches are now happening through AI:
- "Best plumber near me" asked to ChatGPT
- "Recommend a restaurant in [neighborhood]" asked to Perplexity
- "What dentist should I see for [procedure]" asked to Claude
Adding GEO to your local strategy means optimizing your local presence for AI systems, not just search engines. This includes structured data, FAQ content, and entity optimization.
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