Have you checked your Local SEO Score recently?

Why You Should Regularly Check Your Business’s Local SEO Score — and 15+ Quick Wins to Improve It

In today’s hyper-competitive digital landscape, ranking well on Google isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential. For medium-sized businesses, especially those with a physical presence or serving a specific geographic region, Local SEO is a critical growth lever.

But here’s the challenge: Many businesses invest heavily in websites and digital ads but neglect their Local SEO performance — a costly mistake that can allow smaller competitors to outrank you in local searches.

In this article, we’ll explain why checking your Local SEO score regularly matters, and we’ll share over 15 high-impact, low-effort tasks you can implement right away to improve your visibility in local search results.

What Is a Local SEO Score?

Your Local SEO score is a metric that reflects how well your business is optimized to appear in local search results — especially in map packs (the top three local listings shown on Google Maps and local search queries). Tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, and Semrush can provide these scores based on multiple factors, including:

• Google Business Profile optimization
• Local citations and directory listings
• Online reviews and ratings
• Local backlinks
• On-page signals (e.g. NAP consistency, local content)
• Behavioral and mobile signals (click-through rate, dwell time)
• Social signals

Monitoring your score helps you benchmark progress, spot issues early, and take focused action where it counts.

Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever

If you're a medium-sized business with a physical location or service area, Local SEO isn't optional — it's a strategic necessity. Here’s why:

• 46% of all Google searches have local intent (e.g. “IT support near me” or “graphic designer in Manchester”)
• 78% of local mobile searches result in an offline purchase
• Google’s local pack appears in the top position in 93% of local searches
• Competitors are investing in Local SEO — and if you’re not, you’re invisible

Without strong Local SEO, you’re missing out on high-intent customers who are ready to buy.

The First Step: Audit Your Current Local SEO Score

Before you can improve, you need a clear picture of where you stand. Use tools like:

• BrightLocal’s Local Search Audit
• Moz Local Listing Score
• Semrush Local SEO Toolkit
• Google Business Profile Insights
• Google Search Console

These will help you assess your online visibility, NAP (name, address, phone number) consistency, citation health, keyword rankings, and more.

15+ Quick Wins to Improve Your Local SEO Today

Once you have your baseline, here are actionable strategies you can implement to improve your local rankings — fast.

1. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

If you do only one thing, do this.

• Complete every section: business name, description, categories, hours, website, services, etc.
• Add high-quality photos of your premises, team, and services
• Use your primary keyword and location in the description and posts
• Add booking or contact links if applicable
• Keep it updated regularly (Google favours active profiles)

✅ Quick Win: Post once a week on GBP to show freshness and relevance.

2. Earn 5-Star Google Reviews (and Respond to Them)

Social proof matters — and Google uses reviews as a ranking signal.

• Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews (ideally mentioning your services and location)
• Respond professionally to every review, positive or negative
• Don’t fake it — authenticity is key

✅ Quick Win: Create a review request email template with a direct link to your review page.

3. Ensure NAP Consistency Across the Web

Your business Name, Address, and Phone number must be identical across every listing — Google treats inconsistencies as red flags.

• Audit your existing citations using tools like Yext or BrightLocal
• Fix any outdated or duplicate listings
• Use the exact same formatting, down to commas and abbreviations

✅ Quick Win: Add your NAP info to your website footer across all pages.

4. List Your Business in Local Directories

The more places your business appears with accurate details, the more trustworthy Google considers you.

• Start with the “big ones”: Yell, Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Foursquare, Thomson Local, Scoot
• Use industry-specific directories relevant to your niche
• Join local Chamber of Commerce and business group directories

✅ Quick Win: List your business on at least 10 high-authority local directories today.

5. Add Local Schema Markup to Your Website

Schema helps Google understand your business location and type.

• Use “LocalBusiness” schema
• Include name, address, phone, URL, geo-coordinates, opening hours
• Add it to your homepage and contact page

✅ Quick Win: Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to generate code, then ask your web developer to install it.

6. Create Location-Specific Landing Pages

If you serve multiple locations, create separate, optimised pages for each one.

• Use targeted keywords like “Accountants in Leeds” or “Salon in Bristol”
• Include testimonials, team info, and imagery relevant to that area
• Don’t copy-paste — each page should be unique

✅ Quick Win: Add internal links to these location pages from your homepage and blog.

7. Build Local Backlinks

Links from local and relevant sites are powerful Local SEO signals.

• Partner with local charities, events, or community projects
• Sponsor a local team or group
• Write guest posts for regional blogs or news outlets

✅ Quick Win: Offer a testimonial to a local supplier in exchange for a backlink.

8. Optimise Your Website for Mobile

Most local searches happen on mobile devices. Your site must be:

• Fast-loading
• Fully responsive
• Easy to navigate on smaller screens
• With prominent call-to-action buttons (call, book, directions)

✅ Quick Win: Run your site through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and fix any issues.

9. Use Local Keywords in Your Content

Incorporate city or region names naturally into your website’s:

• Homepage headings
• Meta titles and descriptions
• Blog posts
• Service pages

✅ Quick Win: Update your homepage title tag to include your primary service + location (e.g. “Award-Winning Interior Design | Surrey & London”).

10. Create Locally-Focused Blog Content

Showcase your local expertise and boost SEO with useful, relevant content:

• “Top 5 Property Trends in Manchester for 2025”
• “How Our Glasgow-Based Firm Helped a Local Charity”
• “What to Look for in a Local Web Design Partner in Bristol”

✅ Quick Win: Publish a blog post answering a common client question in your area.

11. Use Google Posts to Promote Offers and Updates

Google Business Profile lets you share updates, events, and offers.

• Posts appear in your local listing
• They signal activity and relevance to Google
• They’re great for seasonal promotions or business milestones

✅ Quick Win: Post a “June Offers” update on your GBP profile right now.

12. Set Up and Monitor Google Search Console

Search Console shows what keywords people are using to find you, how your pages are performing, and alerts you to site issues.

✅ Quick Win: Connect your site and look for search terms that include your location — then build more content around them.

13. Add Clickable Contact Buttons on Mobile

Especially important for service businesses — make it easy to call or message you from a mobile device.

✅ Quick Win: Add a sticky "Call Now" button to your mobile site or booking link from your GBP.

14. Use Local Images with Alt Tags

If you're uploading photos of your team, office, or recent work:

• Use descriptive file names (e.g. “team-photo-milton-keynes.jpg”)
• Add alt tags with relevant keywords and locations

✅ Quick Win: Rename your uploaded homepage hero image to include your location and service.

15. Track Your Rankings for Local Keywords

Use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or BrightLocal to track how you rank for keywords like:

• “[Your Service] + [Your City]”
• “Best [Service] near me”
• “[Service] in [Postcode]”

✅ Quick Win: Set up weekly keyword tracking reports to monitor progress.

Final Thoughts: Local SEO Is Not a One-Off Task

It’s easy to think that once your Google Business Profile is live and your directory listings are in place, you can set it and forget it. But that’s not how Local SEO works.

Google’s algorithm evolves. Competitors rise. Your customers change how they search. That’s why you need to regularly check your Local SEO score, track your progress, and keep fine-tuning.

The businesses that win in local search aren’t always the biggest or the flashiest — they’re the ones that are strategic, consistent, and locally engaged.

Need Help With Your Local SEO?

If you're a growing business that’s ready to take your Local SEO seriously, we offer personalised audits, Google profile management, and citation-building packages designed specifically for medium-sized businesses.

Let’s make sure your business shows up where it matters most — in front of local customers who are ready to buy.

Great, now add a call to action something like if you don't feel you have the time or expertise to implement the above, this is where Digital Juice can help and support you. Get in touch at info@DigitalJuiceMarketing.co.uk

Final Thoughts: Local SEO Is Not a One-Off Task

It’s easy to think that once your Google Business Profile is live and your directory listings are in place, you can set it and forget it. But that’s not how Local SEO works. Google’s algorithm evolves. Competitors rise. Your customers change how they search. That’s why you need to regularly check your Local SEO score, track your progress, and keep fine-tuning. The businesses that win in local search aren’t always the biggest or the flashiest — they’re the ones that are strategic, consistent, and locally engaged.

Don’t Have the Time or Expertise to Do It Yourself?

If you don’t feel you have the time, resources, or technical expertise to implement all of the above — this is where Digital Juice can help.

We work with growing, ambitious businesses to improve their local visibility, manage their online presence, and drive more local traffic and enquiries. From Google Business Profile optimisation to directory listings, backlinks, and content creation — we take care of it all, so you can focus on running your business.

👉 Let’s talk about how we can support your Local SEO strategy.
📩 Get in touch at info@digitaljuicemarketing.co.uk

Your local customers are searching — let’s make sure they find you first.