Search engine optimization is critical for local businesses looking to attract repeat customers. Product research, driving directions, price comparisons – consumers are increasingly turning to the web before visiting a local store.
Here are nine free tools to improve your local SEO.
Google Review Link & Place ID Generator
The Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) can be confusing. Even finding your listing’s URL is difficult. Google Review Link & Place ID Generator from BrightLocal can help. It’s free for up to three searches per day.
Type in your company name and the tool will provide:
A direct link to your company’s reviews. A link for customers to leave a review (as long as you follow the Google guidelines), preview link of your local listing on the search results page containing your knowledge panel.
Google Review Link & Place ID Generator provides the link to your reviews, search result previews and more.
GMBspy
GMBspy is a Chrome extension with one goal: to show the categories your local competitors have chosen for their local business listing. It’s helpful to understand why you’re outranked for specific phrases.
The extension worked fine for me for an individual business listing, but it didn’t show categories for the local 3-pack in the search results, which it claims to support.
GMBspy, a Chrome extension, shows the categories of your local competitors.
GMB everywhere
GMB everywhere is another Chrome extension for identifying competitor categories and subcategories in local search results.
GMB Everywhere identifies competitor categories and subcategories in local search results.
The tool allows five free local “audits” per month, including:
Total number of comments, Number of reviews provided by Local guidesNumber of reviews with photos Keyword analysis i.e. the most common words in reviews, which is useful as Google uses keywords in reviews as a local ranking signal Viewing review growth .
GMB Everywhere’s handy ‘Teleport’ feature lets you change your location to view local results from anywhere in the world.
GS location changer
GS location changer is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox to simulate a location and access hyperlocal rankings. Location is the crucial local SEO ranking factor. This extension allows agencies or businesses in multiple locations to know what consumers are seeing near their search results.
GS Location Changer simulates a location anywhere to access hyperlocal rankings.
Scheme mark generator
Scheme mark generator creates local JSON-LD markup for use on your site. Select “Local Business” from the tool’s drop-down menu and copy and paste the markup. Make sure the business name and address are exactly the same as your verified Google Business profile.
Local Schema Generator creates local JSON-LD markup.
Local file health scanner
Local file health scanner allows you to view your listing on dozens of platforms including Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing, Yellow Pages and many more.
The tool shows spelling and other inconsistencies between platforms. For example, adding an “the” in front of a business name can cause Google to treat the listing as a separate business. The tool also identifies missing directories, i.e. missed opportunities.
Local Listings Health Scanner allows you to check your listing on dozens of platforms, including Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing, Yellow Pages and many more.
UpCity Local SEO Newsletter
UpCity offers free, easy-to-understand “report cards” for Google search terms. Enter your location and your most important keywords. Upcity then displays your score.
The report, while basic, also provides a quick insight into your local competitors and areas to focus on.
UpCity’s free SEO reports show a visual representation of your score.
Local AdWords and keyword lists
Local AdWords and keyword lists generate targeted keywords for local search.
To use it, enter your company’s zip code and shopping radius. The tool will show the towns, cities, counties and even abbreviations within that area and the destination keywords to add and monitor for each.
Local AdWords and keyword lists generate targeted keywords for local search.
Postmatic
Postmatic is a free Google Sheets plugin for publishing (and scheduling) posts to your local business listing to keep it active. The tool supports posting for events, offers and updates, with simultaneous posting to multiple lists, handy for agencies and businesses with multiple locations.
Postamatic is a free Google Sheets plugin for publishing (and scheduling) posts to your local business listing to keep it active.
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