Field guide / 01 / Local
Get found where the work actually happens.
Local visibility begins with accurate facts, but it grows through relevance, recency, proof, and a website that confirms what your map profile claims.
The local signal stack
Five layers customers can verify.
Work from foundational facts toward proof. Promotions will not compensate for a confusing or contradictory footprint.
One accurate identity
Use the same real-world name, primary category, phone, address or service area, hours, and website URL wherever the business appears.
A complete map profile
Choose the closest category, describe actual services, add current photos, maintain special hours, and answer profile questions factually.
Location-aware website pages
Explain where you work with real context: neighborhoods served, travel limits, local examples, policies, and the problems customers hire you to solve.
A steady review practice
Ask real customers consistently, make the process easy, reply with care, and never script or incentivize sentiment that did not happen.
Local corroboration
Earn accurate mentions from associations, suppliers, community organizations, local press, event pages, and useful directories.
30-day action plan
Fix foundations before chasing reach.
Assign one owner, record the baseline, and keep a simple change log so you can tell what actually improved.
List every major profile and compare name, category, contact information, hours, and destination URL.
Correct gaps, add representative photos, update services, and remove claims that no longer match the business.
Add a direct service summary, local proof, common questions, response expectations, and a clear next step.
Ask recent customers for honest reviews and identify three legitimate local organizations that should know the business.