Local SEO Checklist for Australia 2025
I have used this checklist with hundreds of Aussie businesses. Follow the steps below and you will improve local visibility, calls, and foot traffic. This is a complete guide tailored for the Australian market with practical, step-by-step strategies.
Google Business Profile setup
Example of a well-optimised Google Business Profile with photos, opening hours, and reviews.
Claim and verify
- Claim your listing at Google Business Profile.
- Use a real business name and the exact street address as on official documents.
- Verify by phone or video as prompted and complete verification quickly.
- Double-check that your location pin is accurate on Google Maps to avoid customer confusion.
Categories and hours
- Set the most specific primary category – this directly impacts search visibility.
- Add secondary categories such as industry services, products, or related business types.
- Keep opening hours accurate and update during holidays or special events.
- Use attributes like “Wheelchair Accessible”, “Free Wi‑Fi”, or “Outdoor Seating” if relevant.
Photos and posts
- Upload at least 10 authentic photos including exterior, interior, staff and products.
- Add one short promotional video to showcase your brand.
- Post weekly updates, offers, or events. Respond promptly to Q&A section queries.
- Refresh photos every quarter to show your business is active and up to date.
NAP and citations
Consistent NAP citations across directories like True Local and Yellow Pages help build authority.
- Keep your Name, Address and Phone identical everywhere online.
- Update your website footer and contact page with exact details first.
- List on quality directories such as True Local, Yellow Pages, Hotfrog and industry associations in Australia.
- Add structured data on the contact page using LocalBusiness schema markup.
- Check citations quarterly to ensure no outdated phone numbers or addresses appear online.
Reviews and reputation
Actively requesting and replying to reviews improves both rankings and customer trust.
- Ask customers for reviews immediately after positive experiences with a direct GBP link.
- Reply to every review within 48 hours with a sincere thank you and specific detail.
- Never offer incentives. Focus on making reviews quick and easy for customers.
- Highlight strong reviews on your website and social media to build credibility.
Service and suburb pages
A suburb page example that includes parking info, landmarks, testimonials, and service details.
- Create one high quality service page per service with detailed process, pricing, photos and FAQs.
- Build suburb pages only where you genuinely serve customers, including parking, landmarks and local info.
- Use internal links from blogs and case studies to boost authority and lead visitors to conversion pages.
- Add testimonials or case studies specific to each suburb page for stronger local relevance.
Links you can earn without spam
Joining local chambers and sponsoring events creates high-quality local backlinks.
- Join your local chamber of commerce and industry bodies. Most include member directory links.
- Create and share valuable resources like templates or guides for natural backlinks.
- Sponsor local clubs or events and request a web link in the sponsor list for authentic authority.
- Partner with local bloggers or news sites for features and interviews.
DIY action plan
| Task | Where | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Claim and verify Google Business Profile | GBP | Profile live and accurate |
| Add photos and one weekly post | GBP | 10 photos and 4 posts per month |
| Fix NAP on site and directories | Website and citations | Exact match everywhere |
| Publish one new service page | Website | 1,000 words with FAQs |
| Ask five customers for reviews | GBP reviews | Five new reviews this month |
| Audit citations and links | Directories / backlinks | Quarterly review |
This systematic approach helps businesses maintain consistent online presence whilst building trust. By regularly updating content, requesting genuine reviews, and maintaining accurate citations, Australian businesses can steadily climb local search rankings and dominate their service areas. Over time, these actions compound into stronger visibility, increased customer trust, and a measurable impact on sales and enquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from local SEO?
Most Australian businesses start seeing noticeable improvements in 3–6 months, depending on competition and consistency. Strong results often appear after 12 months of steady effort.
Do I need a suburb page for every location?
No, only create suburb pages where you genuinely provide service. Quality is more important than quantity. Each page should answer local-specific questions and provide real value.
Are Google reviews really that important?
Yes, reviews strongly influence both search rankings and customer trust. A steady flow of genuine reviews signals credibility and improves visibility in Google’s local results.
Can I manage local SEO myself or do I need an agency?
You can manage many aspects yourself, especially setting up your profile, fixing NAP issues, and requesting reviews. For advanced tasks like link building or technical SEO, agencies can help accelerate growth.
What are the biggest mistakes Australian businesses make?
Common mistakes include inconsistent business details across directories, not updating Google Business Profile regularly, ignoring customer reviews, and creating thin suburb pages without useful content.