#8: Local SEO

1 hour – Send a verification postcard (1-2 weeks) or make a phone call

If you have a local business with a public storefront, there are a few extra steps you need to take beyond making sure your website is ready for search traffic.

This is because search engines can provide direct traffic to your site with the right information. To claim this extra traffic, set up your Google My Business and Bing Business accounts for local search traffic.

It takes time to verify your information with the search engines, but it is well worth the wait. Make sure to provide contact information, images, your URL, and that the address appears in maps for driving directions.

15 minutes – Check local results

To determine whether you are listed in the local search results, perform location-specific queries to make sure your company is listed.

Furthermore, check to make sure your website is appearing for the terms that make sense for your business. If you search in your area of business, your website should appear as a search result. If not, you may need to modify the business description and ensure that the business has been verified.

Remember that this is not a one and done thing. If you want the best results, you need to ensure that the NAP (name, address, phone number) is properly configured across multiple platforms. You can monitor this 1-2 hours per week.

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