How to Keep Your Local Business Showing Up on Google

SEO
Written By JULIANNA MOLL

7 Simple SEO Habits

 
A woman sits in front of her business laptop with her head in her hands, frustrated with her small business not showing up in search results.
Fingers on a keyboard show a person searching on a computer.
 
 

When you run a local business, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with Google’s ever-changing algorithms. The good news? You don’t need to master complicated SEO tricks or spend hours glued to analytics to stay visible.

Instead, focus on a few simple habits that keep your business fresh, trustworthy, and easy to find. Here are seven straightforward ways to make sure customers continue to discover you online.

 
 
 

1. Keep Your Google Business Profile Fresh

Your Google Business Profile (the info box that shows up on maps and in search results) is often the first impression customers get. Keeping your Business Profile updated regularly helps Google know your business is active and therefore rank better. Here is what you can do:

  1. Post updates, promotions, or photos

  2. Respond to new reviews quickly

  3. Make sure hours, phone number, and services are accurate

Tip: Even one photo or short post per week can help show Google that your business is active.

 

2. Add Fresh Content to Your Website

Google rewards websites that stay active. You don’t need to blog every day; even short updates can help! Quick updates you can do regularly are:

  1. Share a customer story

  2. Post photos of recent work

  3. Add new FAQs that answer real client questions

A small business owner works on updating their website to keep the contect current to rank better with SEO.
 
 

3. Use Clear Titles, Headlines, and Alt Text

SEO basics still matter! Make sure your site has these basic SEO aspects:

  1. Every page should have a unique title tag and meta description

  2. Use one H1 headline per page

  3. Add descriptive alt text to your images (instead of “IMG_1234”)

Example:
Instead of “image of dog,” try “Golden retriever puppy wearing red bandana at Boston dog park.”

 

4. Monitor Your Website Traffic

Even if you only check once a month, tools like Google Analytics or Search Console can tell you:

  1. What pages people visit most

  2. What search terms lead to your site

  3. Whether your traffic is going up or down

The Analytics overview of a website's performance showing what is working, and what is not working on the site.
 
 

5. Stay Consistent Across Directories

Google wants to see the same name, address, and phone number (NAP) across the web.
1. Check Yelp, Facebook, LinkedIn, BBB, and Chamber of Commerce listings
2. Update if your hours, website, or phone number change

 

6. Ask for Reviews… One at a Time

You don’t need 100 reviews overnight. Just ask one happy customer per month to leave a Google review. Over time, this builds trust and improves your visibility.

 
 
 

7. Build Local Connections (and Backlinks)

Links from other sites tell Google your business is trustworthy. The easiest way to get them?

  1. Partner with local businesses for cross-promotion

  2. Join your Chamber of Commerce

  3. Write a guest post or share a resource that others want to link to

 
 

SEO Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Small, consistent actions keep your business visible. If you set aside even 30 minutes a month, you’ll stay ahead of competitors who do nothing!

 
 
 
 

Free Resource for You

Want a ready-to-use checklist that makes SEO simple? Download my Free SEO Checklist for Local Businesses and keep your business showing up where it matters most: on Google.

Get your free copy of the SEO Checklist and start improving your visibility today!

 
DOWNLOAD THE FREE SEO CHECKLIST
 
 
 

Need a little extra help?

The checklist is a great place to start, but every business is different. If you’d like personalized guidance to make sure your website is showing up where your customers are searching, I’d be happy to help!

 
 
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