Alright, let’s cut to the chase. If you’re running a business, you already know that visibility isn’t optional. You’ve got to be seen, and not just seen—chosen. But before you can dominate the local SEO game, you need to know where you stand. What’s your benchmark? What’s the competition doing, and more importantly, what should YOU be doing?
If you’re scratching your head trying to figure this out, you’re not alone. A lot of businesses think, “I’ll just rank for a few keywords, optimize my Google My Business, and call it a day.” But let me tell you, if that’s your plan, you’re going to be waiting a long time for those results to roll in. There’s a smarter way to go about it.
Step 1: Start With Google My Business
You can’t talk local SEO without talking about Google My Business (GMB). This is your local SEO bread and butter. Here’s the deal: if your GMB profile isn’t optimized, you’re basically invisible to anyone looking for services near them. But simply setting up a GMB profile won’t cut it anymore—you need to optimize it like your business depends on it (because it does).
Quick Wins:
Get those reviews in: Businesses with a ton of great reviews get chosen—simple as that.
Photos, photos, photos: Show off your business, your team, and your products.
Stay active: Update your GMB profile regularly with posts, events, and promotions. Keep your audience engaged.
Step 2: Do a Local Competitor Analysis
Want to know how you stack up? Look at what the competition is doing. Are they getting more backlinks? Do they have 10x the reviews? Or maybe they’ve mastered local citations.
Here’s a pro tip: don’t just copy them—outperform them. If they’ve got 50 reviews, go for 100. If they’re active on one or two listing sites, you should be on 10. The game is about outworking and outsmarting.
Step 3: Prioritize Link Building
Local SEO isn’t just about Google My Business. If you want to hit those top organic search spots, you’ve got to prioritize local link building. It’s a hustle, but it pays off. Get your business involved with local organizations, sponsor community events, and reach out to local bloggers. The more you can get your name out there with quality links, the more Google will love you.
“89% of local SEO experts say link building is the most important ranking factor.” — SEO Industry Survey
That’s not some arbitrary stat—that’s a wake-up call.
Step 4: Optimize On-Site SEO
Now, let’s talk about your website. Does it load fast? Is the content optimized? Are you using the right keywords? On-site SEO might not seem as flashy as link building or GMB, but it’s the foundation of your local search presence. Google needs to know exactly what your site is about, and it needs to load quickly. If your site’s a dinosaur, it’s time for an upgrade.
On-Site Essentials:
Speed: Don’t make people wait—Google won’t either.
Content: Add headers, images, and optimize your text for search engines.
Mobile Optimization: Over half of local searches happen on mobile, so your site better look good on a phone.
Step 5: Review, Adjust, and Grow
Once you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to review the data. Are you ranking higher? Are you getting more leads? SEO isn’t set-and-forget. It’s a constant loop of review, adjustment, and growth. Keep an eye on your competitors, test new strategies, and most importantly, keep pushing forward.
In Closing
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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