The Monthly Local SEO Checklist Every Small Business Should Follow

If you want your business to stay visible in local search results and keep attracting new customers, you can’t afford to treat local SEO as a one-time task.

Google rewards consistency, accuracy, and activity — which means even after you’ve set up your Google Business Profile, the work isn’t done.

That’s why every smart business owner needs a monthly local SEO checklist — a simple set of recurring tasks that help you maintain rankings, build trust, and generate new leads.

Here’s exactly what you should be doing every month to stay on top.

✅ 1. Add Fresh Photos and Videos

Photos help your listing look active and engaging. Every month, upload:

• 3–5 new photos of your store, products, services, or team
• A short (under 30 seconds) video showing your work or space

🎯 Bonus: Profiles with frequent photo uploads get more clicks and views.

📝 2. Post 1–4 Google Updates

Use the “What’s New,” “Offer,” or “Event” post types to:

• Promote a seasonal service or sale
• Announce a new product or offering
• Share tips or news from your industry

Each post gives Google another reason to rank your business higher in local search.

⭐️ 3. Request and Respond to Reviews

Customer reviews are one of the top local ranking factors. Each month:

• Ask recent customers to leave a review (send them the link directly)
• Respond to every review — even the short ones — with personalized replies

🧠 Use relevant keywords in your responses (e.g., “Thanks for choosing our landscaping service in Austin!”).

🔁 4. Check for Suggested Edits

Google sometimes allows users to “suggest edits” to your business info. If you’re not monitoring, incorrect details could go live without your approval.

✅ Log into your Google Business dashboard and review any suggested changes.

🕒 5. Confirm Business Hours and Info

Make sure your:

• Business hours are still accurate
• Special hours (holidays or events) are updated
• Phone number, website, and location info is correct

Even one incorrect detail can hurt your rankings — and your customer trust.

🧾 6. Review and Update Services

Go through your list of services. This month:

• Add any new offerings
• Edit descriptions with better keywords
• Remove anything you no longer offer

Google uses this info to match your listing with relevant searches.

💬 7. Manage Q&A Section

Head to the Q&A section of your listing:

• Answer any new public questions
• Add your own most-asked questions and respond like a mini FAQ
• Make sure your answers are helpful and contain local keywords

📊 8. Review Your Profile Insights

Inside your GBP dashboard, check:

• What keywords people are using to find you
• How many calls, website clicks, and direction requests you received
• Which photos or posts are getting the most views

Use this data to guide next month’s updates and promotions.

📥 Want a Printable Version of This Checklist?

Keeping your local SEO in shape doesn’t have to be hard — it just has to be consistent. That’s why I created a guide that includes this checklist and so much more:

👉 Download “Rank #1 Locally: Your Step-by-Step Google Business Setup Guide” (PDF)

You’ll get:

• ✅ Full setup & optimization checklist
• 🔁 Monthly maintenance routine (like the one above)
• 📸 Pro tips for boosting profile engagement
• ⭐️ Review request strategies that work
• 📊 Local SEO insights you can use year-round

Whether you're managing your own profile or doing it for clients, this guide is your go-to resource for ranking higher and attracting more customers.

Final Thoughts

SEO isn’t a one-time project — it’s a habit.
And with just 15–20 minutes each month, you can stay ahead of competitors who never update their profiles.

So don’t let your Google listing go stale.
Use this checklist monthly — or better yet...

👉 Download the full guide and follow a proven plan for Local SEO success.