If you run a local business, such as a repair shop, café, salon, or mobile service, being easy to find online is essential. When someone nearby searches for your service, you want to appear first. This all-in-one guide explains everything you need to know about local SEO, step by step.
✅ What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) helps your business appear in Google search results when someone nearby is looking for what you offer.
Examples of common searches:
- “Electrician in Epping”
- “Best café near me”
- “Mobile dog wash Craigieburn”
Local SEO helps your business appear:
- In Google Maps
- In the local “3-Pack” (top 3 results)
In the first-page search results
✅ Why Local SEO Is Important
- 76% of local searches lead to a visit or phone call within 24 hours
- People trust top listings more than ads
- Local SEO brings long-term results—it builds visibility over time without ongoing ad spend
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Boost Your Local Visibility
1. 🎯 Set Up and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
This is your Google listing, and it’s free. Set it up at google.com/business.
What to include:
- Business name, address, phone number
- Business hours (keep them updated)
- Website and service areas
- A clear, helpful description
- Real photos of your location, team, or work
Pro Tip:
Upload new photos every 1–2 weeks and post small updates—this tells Google your business is active.
2. ⭐️ Ask for Customer Reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest ranking factors in local search.
How to get them:
- Ask after a job or sale
- Send a review link via text or email
- Add a review card to your counter or delivery packaging
How to reply:
- Thank each reviewer
- Be polite with negative feedback and show a willingness to resolve concerns
✅ Tip:
Don’t ask for fake reviews. Google can detect spam, and it may hurt your ranking.
3. 🗺 Use Local Keywords on Your Website
You want to include the kinds of words people actually type when looking for your service.
Instead of: “We offer premium heating solutions.”
Say: “We install and repair split system air conditioners in Reservoir.”
Where to use keywords:
- Page titles and headings
- Homepage and service pages
- Image descriptions
- URL slugs (like /plumber-epping)
Helpful tool: Ubersuggest to discover relevant keyword ideas.
4. 🌍 Create Pages for Each Service Area
If you serve multiple suburbs, create individual pages for each one.
Example:
- /car-servicing-epping
- /dog-grooming-craigieburn
Each page should include:
- Services available in that suburb
- Local references (e.g. “near Craigieburn Plaza”)
- Customer stories or photos from jobs in the area
✅ Tip:
Don’t duplicate content across pages—write each suburb page uniquely.
5. 📚 List Your Business in Local Directories
Online directories give your business extra exposure and help Google verify your location and contact details.
Start with:
✅ Keep your name, address, and phone number exactly the same on every listing.
6. 📱 Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
Most customers will visit your website from their phone.
Check:
- Does your site load quickly on mobile?
- Can users call you with one tap?
- Is the text easy to read, and are buttons easy to click?
🔍 Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check.
7. 🧾 Track Your Progress
Use Google tools to track what’s working:
- Google Business Profile Insights (calls, directions, clicks)
- Google Search Console (keywords your site shows up for)
- Google Analytics (website visits and user behaviour)
✅ Example:
One local business implemented these steps—updated their Google listing, collected reviews, and created suburb pages. Over just four months, their total interactions on Google went up by 25.4%, reaching 1,239 profile actions.
This includes more people calling, visiting the website, or asking for directions—all from free local SEO improvements.
🏁 Final Thoughts from PMGS
You don’t need to be a marketing expert to show up in local searches.
With the right approach—clear information, consistent updates, and a little effort—you can build a steady stream of traffic, leads, and loyal customers from your local area.
With our expert SEO strategies, we’ve helped service providers, tradies, health clinics, and retail stores across Australia become easier to find online. Whether you need a hand setting it up or want us to manage it for you, we’ll make the process easy, honest, and effective.
We offer a free local visibility check-up to help you understand where your business stands in Google and where you can improve.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How soon will I see results?
If done properly, local SEO improvements usually begin to show within 4–8 weeks. Stronger results build over time as your content and reviews grow.
Q: Do I need a physical shop to benefit from local SEO?
No. Mobile businesses and service providers can list their service areas on Google without showing a public address.
Q: Is a blog necessary?
No. But having useful, locally focused pages can help. If you enjoy writing, a blog is a great bonus, but not a requirement.
Q: What if I’m not tech-savvy
Start small. Set up your Google Business Profile, then focus on getting reviews and keeping your information accurate. You can ask a trusted marketing provider to help with the rest.
