From Boroughs to Bookings – Everything You Need to Rank Locally

Whether you’re a salon in Shoreditch, a plumber in Putney, or a solicitor in Southwark — if you want more local visibility, more calls, and more leads, this checklist is for you.

Use this to audit your current local SEO or follow it step-by-step to outrank your competitors on Google Maps and local search.

📍 Google Business Profile Setup & Optimisation

✅ Claim your Google Business Profile (GBP)
✅ Use your exact business name (no keywords)
✅ Add a verified London address (no PO boxes)
✅ Use a local landline or mobile number
✅ Set correct business categories (primary + secondary)
✅ Write a keyword-rich business description
✅ Add your opening hours (inc. holidays)
✅ Upload real, high-quality photos (team, interior, work, area)
✅ Add services & products with descriptions
✅ Use Google Posts weekly (offers, tips, announcements)
✅ Respond to all reviews — especially negative ones
✅ Ask customers to leave keyword + location-based reviews

🌐 Website Local SEO Essentials

✅ Use service + location keywords in H1s, titles, and content
✅ Create location landing pages (e.g., /roofing-hackney, /lawyer-wandsworth)
✅ Include local contact info (NAP) in footer/sitewide
✅ Add an embedded Google Map on your contact or homepage
✅ Use internal linking between service, location, and blog pages
✅ Optimise meta titles & descriptions with local keywords
✅ Add schema markup: LocalBusiness, Service, Review, FAQPage
✅ Include client testimonials (with borough/area mentioned)
✅ Make sure your website is mobile-friendly & fast

🗺️ Local Citations & Directory Listings

✅ Submit consistent NAP to:

• Yell

• Yelp

• FreeIndex

• 192.com

• Scoot

• Checkatrade / Rated People (for trades)

• Local chamber of commerce

• Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

✅ Check for duplicates and fix errors
✅ Use Moz Local, BrightLocal, or Whitespark to audit listings

⭐ Review & Reputation Management

✅ Request reviews after each completed job/service
✅ Ask clients to mention specific services + London areas
✅ Reply to every review within 24–48 hours
✅ Showcase 5-star reviews on your website
✅ Add a “Reviews” section to service or location pages
✅ Use tools like Whitespark Review Handout Generator or NiceJob

🧠 Content & Blogging for Local Authority

✅ Publish local content like:

• “Best Roofing Materials for London Weather”

• “End of Tenancy Cleaning in Camden – 2025 Checklist”

• “Top 5 Solicitor FAQs in Tower Hamlets”

✅ Optimise for long-tail local queries (use “People Also Ask”)
✅ Link blog content back to service/location pages
✅ Share content on GBP Posts, social media, and email

🔗 Link Building with a Local Focus

✅ Get listed in London-based directories & blogs
✅ Sponsor local events, charities, or school newsletters
✅ Partner with complementary local businesses for backlinks
✅ Offer to write guest posts on community or niche sites
✅ Join London business networking groups with SEO benefit

📈 Tracking & Reporting

✅ Set up Google Search Console
✅ Set up Google Analytics 4
✅ Track calls, forms, and directions via Google Business Profile Insights
✅ Monitor GBP map rankings using tools like:

• Local Falcon

• BrightLocal

• GMB Everywhere

✅ Review keyword rankings & update your content quarterly

🛠️ Bonus Tips for London SEO in 2025

✅ Use borough and postcode-based targeting (e.g., “N1 electrician,” “E14 locksmith”)
✅ Create content around London events, seasons, or regulations
✅ Geo-tag your images before uploading to GBP
✅ Stay active: Google loves fresh content & engagement
✅ Avoid fake reviews, keyword stuffing, or address manipulation — they can get you suspended!

✅ Final Notes

✔ Local SEO isn’t a one-time job — it’s a system.
✔ London’s competitive, but that’s where opportunity lies.
✔ Follow this checklist monthly, stay consistent, and watch your visibility climb.

🚀 Want to Rank Faster in London?

At Rank Up SEO Agency, we help small and mid-sized businesses in London:
✅ Rank in the Local Pack
✅ Get more organic calls and bookings
✅ Build trust and long-term local visibility

👉 Get a Free Local SEO Audit for Your Business
👉 Explore Our London SEO Services
👉 See Real Case Studies from London Clients

Let’s help your business Rank Up — right where your customers are searching.