Google My Business (GMB) SEO Checklist

📍 1. GMB Setup & Verification

• Claim your business via google.com/business

• Use official business name (avoid keyword stuffing)

• Use the correct business address (no virtual offices unless allowed)

• Select correct business type: storefront, service area, or hybrid

• Set accurate service area (city, zip codes)

• Verify listing via postcard, email, or phone

• Use the same Google account to manage other Google services (GA, GSC, Ads)

🏷️ 2. Business Info Optimization

• Add full address, formatted exactly as it appears on your site

• List a local phone number (avoid 800/888 numbers)

• Choose the best-fitting primary category

• Add secondary categories that support your services

• Write a 750-character business description using service and location keywords

• Set accurate business hours, including holiday/special hours

• Add attributes (e.g., “Black-owned,” “Women-led,” “Wheelchair accessible”)

• Add opening date (especially for newer businesses)

• Set a custom short name/URL for easier sharing (e.g., g.page/YourBusiness)

📸 3. Photos & Visual Content

• Upload a high-res logo (square format)

• Set a professional cover photo (ideally showing your business location or service in action)

• Add at least:

  • 5-10 interior photos

  • 5-10 exterior photos

  • 5-10 team photos

  • 10+ product/service photos

  • 2-3 client testimonial images

• Upload before/after images (if relevant to your industry)

• Use geotagged images for local signals (optional but helpful)

• Upload videos with brand message, service demo, or team intro

💬 4. Reviews

• Ask for reviews via email, SMS, in-person, or QR codes

• Respond to 100% of reviews (use customer’s name if possible)

• Respond to negative reviews diplomatically and with empathy

• Mention services and keywords naturally in replies

• Mark spam/fake reviews and report them to Google

• Encourage customers to add photos to their reviews

• Build a review acquisition process (templates, automation, follow-up)

📝 5. Posts & Updates

• Publish 1-2 GMB Posts per week

• Use post types: “What’s New”, “Offers”, “Events”, “Product Updates”

• Use a strong headline + 2–3 sentence body with call-to-action

• Add images to every post

• Add a CTA button (Book, Call, Learn More, etc.)

• Use UTM tracking links in posts for analytics

• Mention your location and service keywords in posts

🛍️ 6. Products & Services

• Add all core services, each with:

  • Title (with keyword)

  • Description (100–300 words)

  • Pricing (if applicable)

• Add all products you offer with:

  • Title

  • Photo

  • Description

  • Pricing (if possible)

  • Category

• Mention location and niche keywords in each product/service

📞 7. Messaging & Booking

• Turn on GMB Messaging and install the Google Business app

• Respond to messages within 24 hours or faster

• Connect a booking tool (Calendly, Square, or 3rd-party partners)

• Enable the appointment link with direct URL

❓ 8. Q&A Section

• Post 5–10 questions and answers using actual customer FAQs

• Upvote your own answers (with multiple Google accounts if possible)

• Monitor for new user-submitted questions weekly

• Use keywords and service phrases in answers

• Do not ignore unanswered public questions (hurts credibility)

🛠️ 9. Technical & Local SEO Signals

• Website must be mobile-friendly and fast loading

• Embed a Google Map with your location on your contact page

• Add schema markup (LocalBusiness, Organization, Review, Service)

• Add consistent NAP details to footer of your site

• Build local citations (Yelp, BBB, Facebook, MapQuest, YellowPages, etc.)

• Ensure NAP consistency across 100+ directories (use tools like BrightLocal or Whitespark)

• Connect GMB to your Google Ads account if running local campaigns

• Optimize your website’s homepage and location pages with:

  • City + service in H1

  • City/service keywords in meta title/description

  • Driving directions or “near me” content

📊 10. Performance Tracking & Ongoing Optimization

• Review GMB Insights weekly (views, clicks, calls, etc.)

• Track traffic from GMB with UTM codes in URLs

• Create a custom GMB dashboard in Google Looker Studio

• Monitor ranking in local pack with tools like Local Falcon or BrightLocal

• Keep your listing updated with seasonal offers, hours, and updates

• Regularly audit for suspension risks and GMB changes

• Benchmark against top local competitors for photos, reviews, posts, categories, and citations