A Simple Guide for Local Businesses
If you’re running a restaurant, hotel, travel agency, or small business, you already know the struggle: you exist, but Google treats you like you’re invisible.
You’re basically that quiet kid in class waving your hand—but the teacher (Google) keeps calling someone else.
Well, today we fix that.
Here’s a friendly, simple, and slightly funny guide to improving your Local SEO—so customers can finally find you… without you needing to shout “WE’RE OPEN” from the rooftop.
1. Step One: Fix Your Google Business Profile (Like… Today.)
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is basically your online ID.
If it’s incomplete, outdated, or has that one weird photo from 2017… it’s time to clean up.
What you need:
✔ Correct business name
✔ Exact address (no “near the sari-sari store” please)
✔ Business hours
✔ Website link
✔ Good photos—not blurry ones that look like CCTV footage
✔ Updated categories
Google likes profiles that look alive.
Not like they were abandoned during the pandemic.
2. Use Local Keywords (AKA: Speak Google’s Language)
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes.
What would they search?
- “best restaurant in [your city]”
- “affordable hotel near [city]”
- “travel agency in [location]”
These are your local keywords.
Sprinkle them on your:
- Homepage
- About page
- Service pages
- Blogs
- Alt text
But don’t overdo it.
Google hates it when you sound like a robot repeating the same phrase like a shampoo commercial.
3. Create Location-Based Content (Google Loves a Chismis)
Write blogs about things your audience cares about in your area.
Ideas that always work:
- “Top 5 Places to Visit in [Your City]”
- “Where to Eat in [Your Area] If You’re Always Hungry”
- “A Traveler’s Guide to Hotels in [Location]”
Local content = Local authority.
Local authority = Google thinks you’re cool.
4. Get Local Backlinks (AKA: Make Friends on the Internet)
A backlink is basically another website saying:
“Hey, this business is legit.”
Ways to get backlinks:
- Collaborate with local blogs
- Join local directories
- Sponsor community events
- Partner with nearby businesses
The more quality backlinks you get, the more Google believes you’re not some shady business operating in an alley.
5. Collect Reviews (Yes, You Need to Ask.)
People trust reviews.
Google trusts reviews.
You should trust reviews.
Encourage customers to leave one by:
- Asking nicely (not desperately)
- Putting QR codes near your counter
- Messaging satisfied clients
And PLEASE, answer your reviews.
Even the weird ones.
Example reply to a bad review:
“Thank you for your feedback! We’ll use this to improve—unlike my 2024 New Year’s resolution.”
6. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly (Most People Search While Hungry.)
Imagine someone searching “ramen near me” while starving.
Your site better load FAST.
A mobile-friendly site should:
- Load in 2–4 seconds
- Have readable text
- Have buttons big enough for thumb tapping
- Show your number, menu, or offers ASAP
If your site looks like a 2009 blogspot page on mobile… fix it.
Google notices.
7. Keep Your NAP Consistent (Name, Address, Phone Number)
NAP consistency is very important.
If your business name is “Juan’s Restaurant” on Facebook but “Juan’s Resto Café” on Google… Google gets confused.
Confused Google = poor ranking.
Keep your info consistent everywhere.
Every. Where.
8. Update Your Photos (Show Google You’re Alive.)
New photos = more engagement.
More engagement = more ranking.
Post photos of:
- Your food
- Your hotel rooms
- Your travel packages
- Your staff smiling (even if they’re tired—everyone looks nicer with good lighting)
Avoid photos that look like they were taken with a potato.
9. Add Local Business Schema (Fancy Term, Big Benefit)
Schema is like giving Google a cheat sheet about your business.
It tells Google your:
- Name
- Address
- Services
- Location
If this sounds too technical, don’t worry—I can do this part for you.
10. Be Active on Social Media (But Don’t Burn Out)
You don’t need to post daily.
You’re a business, not a meme page.
Just be consistent:
- 2–3 posts per week
- Use good visuals
- Share promos, menus, room photos, or travel deals
Social media helps your SEO because it brings more people to your website and listings.
And more eyeballs = more chances to be chosen.
Final Thoughts
Improving your Local SEO is NOT complicated.
It’s just a series of small, consistent steps that help you become more visible to the customers already searching for businesses like yours.
Restaurants, hotels, cafés, agencies, shops—everyone benefits from Local SEO.
If you want help improving your online presence, creating your website, or boosting your Google ranking, I’d be happy to work with you.
Let’s make your brand locally famous. 😉
GROWITHEVANA 