Sometimes you just need a clear list of things to do. No theory. No lengthy explanation. Just the actions that will move the needle.
Here are ten things you can do this week to improve your local Google ranking. Some take five minutes. Some take an hour. All of them matter.
1. Claim and Complete Your Google Business Profile
If you have not done this yet, it is the single most important thing on this list. Go to google.com/business, find your business, and claim it. If it does not exist yet, create it.
Fill in every single field. Business name, category, service area, phone number, website, opening hours, business description, and services. Do not leave anything blank.
Time: 45 to 60 minutes
2. Add 10 Photos to Your Google Business Profile
Photos make your profile look legitimate and active. Add at least 10 to start: before and after shots of recent work, your van, your tools, a photo of yourself or your team.
Google favours profiles with photos. Customers trust them more.
Time: 20 minutes
3. Send Review Requests to Your Last 5 Customers
Think of the last five customers who were happy with your work. Send each of them a WhatsApp message with your Google review link and a friendly ask. Something like: “Hi [name], hope all is good. If you have a minute, would you mind leaving us a Google review? Here is the link, takes about 30 seconds. Really appreciated.”
To get your review link, open your Google Business Profile and click “Get more reviews”.
Time: 10 minutes
4. Check That Your Business Info Is Consistent Everywhere
Search for your business name on Google. Look at every listing that comes up. Check that your business name, address, and phone number are identical on every one.
Fix any that are wrong or outdated.
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
5. Check Your Website on Your Phone
Open your website on your mobile phone. Does it load quickly? Does it look right? Is the text readable without zooming in? Is the phone number easy to tap?
If your website is broken or slow on mobile, that is hurting your ranking and losing you customers.
Time: 5 minutes to check, longer to fix
6. Make Sure Your Phone Number Is Clickable on Your Website
On mobile, your phone number should be a tap-to-call link. If a visitor has to write down your number and dial it manually, most will not bother.
Ask your web developer to make it clickable, or if you can edit your own site, wrap the number in a tel: link.
Time: 5 minutes
7. Add Your Location to Your Website Homepage
Your website should clearly state where you are based and what areas you serve. Not just in the footer. In the main content of your homepage.
Something like: “Based in Dundalk, serving Co. Louth, Co. Meath, and Co. Monaghan.” Simple. Clear. Tells Google exactly where you work.
Time: 5 minutes if you can edit your own site
8. Check If You Have a Service Page for Each of Your Main Services
Your website should have a dedicated page for each major service you offer. Not one big “services” page. A separate page for each one.
If you are a painter and you only have one services page, you are missing out on rankings for searches like “exterior painter Dundalk” or “commercial painting Louth”.
Make a note of which service pages you are missing. Add them or get them added.
Time: 10 minutes to identify the gaps
9. Set Up Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that shows you which searches your website appears for, how many clicks you are getting, and which pages are ranking.
Go to search.google.com/search-console and connect it to your website. It will take a few days to start showing data, but once it does, it is the most useful SEO tool you have.
Time: 20 minutes to set up
10. Respond to Every Google Review You Have
Go through your Google reviews and make sure you have responded to every one, good and bad. Thank people by name for positive reviews. Address negative ones calmly and professionally.
Responding to reviews signals to Google that your profile is active and that you are engaged with your customers. It also shows future customers that there is a real person behind the business.
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
What to Do After This Week
These ten things are a strong start. Once they are done, keep the momentum going by:
- Asking for a review after every job
- Adding a new photo to your Google Business Profile every couple of weeks
- Publishing a blog post on your website once a month
- Checking your Google Search Console once a month for new opportunities
Local SEO is not a one-time job. The businesses at the top of Google are the ones that keep at it consistently.
If you would rather have someone handle all of this for you, that is exactly what we do at ProBizMate.
Written by Maebh Collins
ACA qualified, Dundalk-based. I build websites and write SEO content for trade businesses across Ireland and the UK. If you have questions, get in touch.