20 Super Simple DIY Small Business Local SEO Steps

Can your customers find you? As a small business owner there are things you can do to optimize your website and make it easier for your business to be found online by people and search engines.

  • Register Your Site with Search Engines

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  • Register with Google Search Console. https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/4559176?hl=en

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  • Register with Bing Webmaster Tools (Bing also powers Yahoo). https://www.bing.com/toolbox/webmaster

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  • Claim or Create a Google My Business Listing. http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/google-my-business-guide

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  • Verify or create your page.

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  • Use your correct name, address, phone number and web address.

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  • Choose the most relevant “primary category” that describes your business.

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  • Create a meaningful, relevant cover photo.

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  • Add relevant photos.

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  • Create a description of your business that covers the important points.

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  • Add your address and important information to your description.

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  • Add a special offer or call-to-action in your description if it makes sense to do so.

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  • Get at least 5 reviews on your Google My Business page.

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  • Reply to any and all reviews — even bad ones.

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  • Link from your business’ website to your Google My Business page.

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  • Submit the verification postcard Google will send to your business’ address.

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  • Implement a Local Keyword Strategy

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  • Conduct keyword research to determine which words your local audiences uses and which you are likely to rank on.

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  • Organize target keywords by website page.

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  • Target long-tail keywords that reflect terms your audience is likely to use in search.

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  • Test your keywords with PPC tools like

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  • Optimize your website page titles with easy, friendly .

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  • Optimize your meta descriptions using local keywords and useful information.

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  • Request links from key business partners.

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  • Social Media SEO

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  • Pick 1-3 social media sites used by your ideal clients.

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  • Create a bio using keywords that say who you are, what you do and what you're posting about.

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  • Add a profile photo and cover image that represents your brand and delivers your message

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  • Be consistent: post on social media regularly: don't let your site sit stagnant.

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  • Engage with your audience: don't just broadcast information, be relevant and helpful.

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  • Build Local Content

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  • Add local customer testimonials to your website

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  • Create branded hashtags and invite customer to use these hashtags on their social media posts.

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  • Use local keywords in ALT text on website pages and blog posts.

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  • Create a content strategy for blog posts and social media updates and be consistent.

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  • Design useful, informative and relevant content that your audience will want to know: blog posts, social media updates, videos, images, news letters and press releases.

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  • Earn Online Reviews

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  • Invite your customers to provide feedback about your business to your top local online review sites.

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  • Reply to all reviews: good and bad.

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  • Use local keywords in ALT tags on website and blog posts images.

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  • Set up tools to monitor your online reputation. http://checkli.com/s/5950f93c38e73

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  • Technical aspects of SEO often require the assistance of an expert. But there are many steps a small business owner can do to optimize their website for local search and help customers find them.

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This checklist was created by catherinerussell

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