Local SEO Setup Template

The Complete UK Local Business SEO Implementation Guide

🚀 1. Google My Business Optimization

Your Google My Business profile is the foundation of local SEO success. Complete this optimization checklist to maximize your local visibility.

Basic Profile Setup

• Claim and verify your Google My Business listing HIGH
• Add accurate business name (exactly as appears on website) HIGH
• Select the most specific business category HIGH
• Add complete address with postcode HIGH
• Add local phone number (not national/toll-free) HIGH
• Add website URL HIGH
• Set accurate business hours including holidays MED
• Add additional phone numbers if applicable LOW

Content Optimization

• Write compelling business description (750 characters max) HIGH
• Add 5-10 high-quality photos of your business HIGH
• Include logo as profile photo MED
• Add cover photo showcasing your services MED
• Upload photos of your team and interior MED
• Add service area (if service-based business) HIGH
• List all products/services you offer MED
• Add business attributes (wheelchair accessible, free wifi, etc.) LOW

🇬🇧 2. UK Local Citation Building

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Build citations on these high-authority UK directories:

Essential UK Directories (Complete First)

Industry-Specific Citations

• Find directories specific to your industry (e.g., Rated People for tradespeople) HIGH
• Submit to local chamber of commerce directories MED
• List on local council/government business directories MED
• Submit to trade association directories MED
• Add to local newspaper business directories LOW

🔍 3. Local Keyword Research Framework

Target the right keywords to attract local customers. Use this framework to find profitable local search terms.

Primary Keyword Types

• Service + Location (e.g., "plumber Manchester") HIGH
• Service + "near me" (e.g., "plumber near me") HIGH
• Service + Area/Postcode (e.g., "plumber M1 2JG") MED
• Emergency + Service + Location (e.g., "emergency plumber Manchester") MED
• Best/Top + Service + Location (e.g., "best plumber Manchester") LOW

Keyword Research Tools

• Google Keyword Planner (free with Google Ads account) HIGH
• Google autocomplete suggestions HIGH
• Answer The Public (free searches) MED
• Ubersuggest (limited free searches) MED
• Check "People also ask" in Google results MED
• Analyse competitor websites for keyword ideas LOW

⭐ 4. Review Management Strategy

Online reviews are crucial for local SEO and customer trust. Implement this systematic approach to managing your online reputation.

Review Generation

• Ask satisfied customers for reviews immediately after service HIGH
• Send follow-up emails with review links 2-3 days after service HIGH
• Create business cards with QR codes linking to review platforms MED
• Add review request links to email signatures MED
• Display review platform logos on website with "Review Us" call-to-action MED
• Offer small incentives for honest reviews (where platform allows) LOW

Review Response Protocol

• Respond to ALL reviews within 24-48 hours HIGH
• Thank customers for positive reviews HIGH
• Address negative reviews professionally and offer solutions HIGH
• Use keywords naturally in review responses MED
• Keep responses personal but professional MED
• Take serious complaints offline for resolution HIGH

💻 5. Local Schema Markup Implementation

Schema markup helps search engines understand your business information. Add this structured data to your website.

Essential Schema Types for Local Business

• LocalBusiness schema on homepage HIGH
• Organization schema with logo and contact info HIGH
• PostalAddress schema for service area MED
• Review schema for customer testimonials MED
• Service schema for each service page MED
• Opening hours schema LOW

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  "name": "Your Business Name",
  "image": "https://yourwebsite.com/logo.jpg",
  "telephone": "+44-your-phone-number",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "Your Street Address",
    "addressLocality": "Your City",
    "postalCode": "Your Postcode",
    "addressCountry": "GB"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": "your-latitude",
    "longitude": "your-longitude"
  },
  "url": "https://yourwebsite.com",
  "openingHours": "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00",
  "priceRange": "££"
}
            

📍 6. NAP Consistency Audit

Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number are identical across all online platforms. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and hurt rankings.

NAP Audit Checklist

• Verify business name is identical everywhere (check for Ltd, Limited, &, and variations) HIGH
• Ensure address format is consistent (Street vs St, Road vs Rd) HIGH
• Check phone number format is uniform (+44 vs 0, spaces vs hyphens) HIGH
• Update any old addresses or phone numbers HIGH
• Standardise postcode format (uppercase, space placement) MED
• Remove duplicate listings with incorrect information MED

🔗 7. Local Link Building Opportunities

Build high-quality local links to boost your website's authority and local search rankings.

High-Priority Link Opportunities

• Local chamber of commerce website HIGH
• Local council/government websites HIGH
• Local news websites and community blogs HIGH
• Trade association websites MED
• Local charity and community group websites MED
• Local business partnerships and referral partners MED
• Local events and sponsorship opportunities LOW
• Local university or college websites (if relevant) LOW

Link Building Strategies

• Sponsor local events and charities for link mentions MED
• Write guest posts for local business blogs MED
• Participate in local business awards and competitions LOW
• Create valuable local content that others want to link to MED
• Partner with complementary local businesses MED
• Offer expert quotes to local journalists LOW

📅 8. Monthly Local SEO Maintenance

Local SEO requires ongoing maintenance. Follow this monthly checklist to maintain and improve your rankings.

Monthly Tasks

• Post 2-4 Google My Business updates with photos HIGH
• Monitor and respond to new reviews HIGH
• Check NAP consistency across top 10 citations MED
• Add new photos to Google My Business MED
• Update business hours for holidays/seasonal changes MED
• Monitor local search rankings for target keywords MED
• Check for and remove duplicate listings LOW
• Look for new citation opportunities LOW

Quarterly Tasks

• Comprehensive NAP audit across all citations HIGH
• Review and update website content with local keywords MED
• Analyse local search performance and adjust strategy MED
• Audit competitor local SEO activities LOW
• Update schema markup if business information changes MED
• Review and improve review generation process LOW