How to Run a Local SEO Audit: Complete Checklist

Imagine this: you own a small bakery in your town. You’ve poured your heart into perfecting your pastries, your store looks inviting, and your customers love you.

Yet, when you type “best bakery near me” into Google, your shop barely shows up.

Frustrating, right?

That’s exactly where a local SEO audit comes into play. It’s the tool that can help your business get discovered by the right people at the right time.

I remember running my first local SEO audit years ago for a small café. The owner was skeptical at first. However, within a few weeks, we identified simple yet crucial changes that significantly boosted their visibility.

Today, I’ll walk you through the same checklist I used, step by step.

Step 1: Check Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the cornerstone of local SEO. Start by claiming and verifying your profile if you haven’t already. Then, make sure:

• Your business name, address, and phone number are correct.
• Categories accurately reflect your services.
• Business hours are up to date.
• You have high-quality photos of your store, products, or team.
• Customer reviews are actively managed—respond to them promptly.

A well-optimized GBP doesn’t just help you rank; it builds trust with potential customers.

Step 2: Audit Your NAP Consistency

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. These details should be consistent across your website, social media, and online directories. Even minor mismatches can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings.

Pro tip: Use tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal to scan for inconsistencies and correct them immediately.

Step 3: Evaluate Local Keywords

Local SEO relies heavily on the right keywords. Check your website and content for:

• Keywords with your city or neighborhood, e.g., “bakery in Brooklyn.”
• Service-specific keywords combined with location, e.g., “custom birthday cakes in Brooklyn.”
• Long-tail keywords that reflect local searches.

Make a list of missing opportunities and weave them naturally into your site’s content, meta titles, and descriptions.

Step 4: Review On-Page SEO

Next, dive into your website. Focus on:

• Meta titles and descriptions optimized for local search.
• Headings (H1, H2) that include local keywords.
• Schema markup for local businesses to help search engines understand your site better.
• Mobile-friendliness and fast loading speeds.

Even small tweaks here can significantly improve your visibility.

Step 5: Audit Online Reviews and Reputation

Local SEO isn’t just about your website; it’s also about trust. Look at:

• Review volume and ratings across Google, Yelp, and industry-specific platforms.
• Trends in customer feedback—address recurring complaints.
• Opportunities to encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.

Positive reviews are social proof, and Google loves them.

Step 6: Check Local Backlinks

Backlinks from local sources can be a game-changer. Evaluate:

• Partnerships with local blogs, news sites, or business directories.
• Citations from relevant local organizations.
• Broken or spammy links that could harm your SEO.

Aim for links that reinforce your local presence and authority.

Step 7: Monitor Your Local Rankings

Finally, track your progress. Use a local rank tracking tool to see:

• Which keywords are you ranking for locally?
• How your competitors are performing.
• Opportunities to improve.

Regular monitoring enables you to adjust your strategy before small issues escalate into significant problems.

Running a local SEO audit might seem daunting, but think of it like spring cleaning for your online presence. Each step uncovers small gaps that, when fixed, can attract more customers and revenue.

If you want a faster, more effective way to get your business noticed in your area, NK Leadify specializes in local SEO audits and optimizations that bring real results.

Check out our services today and make sure your business is visible to the people who matter most.