{"id":19509,"date":"2022-01-31T09:37:16","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T16:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdigitalservices.com\/?p=19509"},"modified":"2024-01-18T16:25:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T23:25:06","slug":"local-seo-checklist-matched-to-your-business-type","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdigitalservices.com\/local-seo-checklist-matched-to-your-business-type\/","title":{"rendered":"Local SEO Checklist to Improve Your Business Ranking"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the right customer finds your website at the right time – when they\u2019re in the right place – it\u2019s all thanks to a little bit of online magic known as local search engine optimization (SEO).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Actually, local SEO isn\u2019t so much magic as it is a tech-powered strategy. And while SEO experts aren\u2019t exactly keyboard-wielding wizards, they are masters of their craft in their own right. But however you prefer to think of local SEO, there\u2019s one thing that\u2019s certain: it can work wonders for your business.<\/span><\/p>\n

A solid local SEO strategy can\u2019t be built with a one-size-fits-all approach, primarily because connecting your business with online search users near you is a highly precise science of sorts. To boost your local SEO ranking, you\u2019ll need to create a plan that takes various factors into account, including your specific business type. Combine that with local SEO best practices, and you can make sure your website is getting seen in the SERPs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our local SEO team has put together customized local SEO checklists for six common business models, laying out a personalized path to SEO success. With your SEO checklist in hand, you\u2019ll be ready to take aim at the first page of search results and bring customers to your front door.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Local SEO Checklist for Your Business Type<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"VDS-Header-Image-1280\u00d7530-checklist-subhead\"In three simple steps, you can tailor a local SEO strategy for your business model:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pinpoint your business model<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Match your business model to the guidelines outlined by Google<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Customize your website content strategy accordingly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Seems simple enough, right? Even if you aren\u2019t ready to implement a full-blown SEO plan on your own (hint: this is where partnering with a professional can be a huge help), at the very least, you can build a better understanding of your next steps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Here are checklists for local SEO, with options to match six business types. Find your business model, then get to work!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Single Location Brick and Mortar<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • \n
        \n
      • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This business model features a single physical location that customers can visit in-person. If yes, move to step two. If not, continue browsing business models below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. This model needs just one Google Business Profile (GBP) listing with a clearly visible address. Keep in mind that virtual offices and P.O. boxes cannot be used.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. Set up a high-quality page for each individual product or service you offer. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Multi-Location Brick and Mortar<\/span><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • \n
                \n
              • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This business model features multiple physical locations that customers can visit in-person. If yes, move to step two. If not, continue browsing business models below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. Create a Google Business Profile (GBP) listing for each individual location, confirming that a correct address is visible for each one. Additionally, make sure that every location is listed with a unique phone number. P.O. boxes and virtual offices are not accepted by Google.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. Design a unique page for each physical location, including the complete NAP (name, address, phone number) at the top of each location\u2019s webpage. Also, add individual pages for each product or service you offer. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                    Single Location Service Area Business<\/span><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • \n
                        \n
                      • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This business model features a single staffed location, serving as a \u201chub\u201d for staff that go into the field to serve customers. If yes, move to step two. If not, continue browsing business models below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                         <\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. You will use one Google Business Profile (GBP) listing. If you serve customers at your physical location, you can check the corresponding box in the address section of your Google Business Profile profile dashboard. If you only serve customers in the field (for example, providing service in their homes), request to hide your address. You cannot use P.O. boxes or virtual addresses for this business type.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. You\u2019ll first build a quality webpage for each of the products or services you offer. Then, add individual pages for each important city (or regional area) within your service area. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                             <\/p>\n

                             <\/p>\n

                            Multi-Location Service Area Business<\/span><\/h3>\n
                              \n
                            • \n
                                \n
                              • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This service business model features multiple staffed locations that operate as a \u201chome base\u201d for staff that go into the field to serve customers. If yes, move to step two. If not, continue browsing business models below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                 <\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. You will complete one Google Business Profile (GBP) listing for each of your locations. Each listing should include a unique phone number for the location. If you serve customers at one or more physical business locations, you can check the corresponding box in the address sections of your Google Business Profile profile dashboard. If you only serve customers in the field (for example, providing service in their homes), request to hide your address. Because you can edit each location\u2019s listing independently, you can opt to list some as open for customer service while keeping the address of others private. You cannot use P.O. boxes or virtual addresses for this business type.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                   <\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. Your website should include individual pages for each of your products or services, as well as unique web pages for each location with the NAP (name, address, and phone number), included at the top. Lastly, create web pages for each key city or region that your business serves beyond your physical locations. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                     <\/p>\n

                                     <\/p>\n

                                    Multi-Office Campus or Multi-Practitioner Business<\/span><\/h3>\n
                                      \n
                                    • \n
                                        \n
                                      • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This business model is typically a match for schools, hospitals, legal firms, and other similar operations. If yes, move to step two. If not, continue browsing business models below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                         <\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. For each forward-facing practitioner or office, fill out a Google Business Profile (GBP) listing. Each listing needs a unique phone number and should be formatted with the practitioners\u2019 names if applicable (for example, \u201cJohn Smith\u201d rather than \u201cJohn Smith: Cornerstone Law Offices\u201d). Do not use P.O. boxes or virtual offices.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                           <\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. Every office within your campus (or partner within a practice) should have an individual web page, including the correct NAP (name, address, phone number) in the top section. Also, you will create singular pages for each product or service you offer. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                             <\/p>\n

                                             <\/p>\n

                                            Home-Based Business<\/span><\/h3>\n
                                              \n
                                            • \n
                                                \n
                                              • First, is this the correct model for your business?<\/b> This business model can feature either a brick and mortar or service-area business, but the common denominator is an owner that has selected a private address. If yes, move to step two. If not, review the options above.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                 <\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • Now, match your business model to the corresponding Google guidelines. This business type needs just one Google Business Profile (GBP) listing. If preferred, you can select the option to hide your address on your GBP dashboard. You can\u2019t complete the listing using a P.O. box or virtual office location.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                   <\/p>\n

                                                    \n
                                                  • Finally, devise a website content strategy that appropriately aligns with your business model and related SEO best practices. Your website will need to include individual pages for each of the products or services you provide. Also, design a high-quality page for each of the cities or regions that you serve. Remember that every type of business should have an effectively-designed foundation of basic pages, including Home, About, Testimonials, and Contact webpages.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                     <\/p>\n

                                                     <\/p>\n

                                                    Local SEO Steps for All Businesses<\/span><\/h2>\n

                                                    Mastering local SEO can get very complex, very quickly. If we were to put together a guide to every one of the many SEO ranking factors out there, you\u2019d be scrolling for a long time. That\u2019s why a growing number of businesses are turning the task over to SEO experts as part of a partnership with full-service marketing teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                                    But maybe you aren\u2019t quite ready to take that leap – or you are, but you still want to learn more about how to use local SEO strategies to help customers find you online. Either way, here are some basic tips for improving your local search rankings and securing a steady flow of potential customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                                    1. Make sure your site fits all the technical website criteria.<\/span><\/h3>\n

                                                    It doesn\u2019t matter what your business model (or, for that matter, your marketing strategy) may be: if your website can\u2019t measure up on the technical side, you\u2019re going to struggle with SEO performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                                    All local businesses need a website that is:<\/span><\/p>\n