The Small Business SEO Checklist for 2025

Actionable tasks to boost your website traffic and improve search rankings

Social Media Success Agency

www.SocialMediaSuccess.agency

2025 Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction

Welcome to your comprehensive SEO checklist for 2025. This guide contains 15 actionable tasks designed specifically for small business owners and virtual assistants who want to improve their website's search engine visibility without needing technical expertise.

Each task includes time estimates, cost indicators, and expected ROI to help you prioritize your efforts effectively. With Google's continued focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and Core Web Vitals in 2025, these strategies are more important than ever.

What's New in SEO for 2025:

  • AI-Generated Content Detection: Google's improved algorithms can identify and potentially penalize low-quality AI content
  • Enhanced Local Search: Google Business Profile features are more crucial for local visibility
  • Core Web Vitals 2.0: New performance metrics focusing on user experience and page interaction
  • Voice Search Optimization: Growing importance of conversational keywords and featured snippets

Part 1: Set Up the Essentials

Start with these foundational tasks that will give you the biggest SEO impact for your time investment. These are the must-haves that every small business needs.

1

Set up Google Business Profile

15 min Free High Impact

Show up in local searches and Google Maps when customers look for businesses like yours. This is your digital storefront that appears in local search results.

Why This Matters

Google Business Profile is free and can increase your local visibility by up to 70%. It's often the first thing customers see when searching for local businesses, and 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information. In 2025, Google has enhanced GBP with new features like product catalogs, appointment booking, and AI-powered customer insights.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Go to business.google.com and click "Manage now"
  2. Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your storefront or official documents
  3. Add your complete business address (be consistent across all platforms)
  4. Choose your primary business category (be specific - "Italian Restaurant" not just "Restaurant")
  5. Add your phone number and website URL
  6. Verify your business via postcard, phone, or email (postcard is most common)
  7. Upload high-quality photos: storefront, interior, products, team (at least 5-10 photos)
  8. Write a compelling business description using relevant keywords naturally
  9. Add your business hours, including holiday hours
  10. Enable messaging if you want customers to contact you directly

Pro Tip

Post regular updates (weekly is ideal) and respond to reviews within 24 hours. Google rewards active profiles with better visibility in local search results. Also, ask satisfied customers to leave reviews!

2

Set up Google Search Console

20 min Free High Impact

Get direct insights from Google about how your website performs in search results. This free tool shows you which keywords bring visitors and identifies technical issues.

Why This Matters

Search Console is like having a direct line to Google. It shows you exactly which search terms bring people to your site, alerts you to technical problems, and helps you understand your SEO performance. Without it, you're flying blind.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Go to search.google.com/search-console and sign in with your Google account
  2. Click "Add Property" and choose "URL prefix"
  3. Enter your website URL (include https:// and www if applicable)
  4. Verify ownership using one of these methods:
    • HTML file upload (easiest for most people)
    • HTML tag (add to your website's head section)
    • Google Analytics (if already connected)
    • DNS record (for advanced users)
  5. Submit your sitemap (usually yoursite.com/sitemap.xml)
  6. Set up email notifications for critical issues
  7. Connect Google Analytics if you have it

Pro Tip

Check Search Console weekly for new keyword opportunities and monthly for technical issues. The "Performance" report shows you which pages and keywords are your biggest winners.

3

Test your mobile page speed

10 min Free High Impact

Check how fast your website loads on mobile devices and identify the biggest issues slowing it down. Page speed is a direct Google ranking factor.

Why This Matters

Google uses mobile page speed as a ranking factor through Core Web Vitals, and 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load. A 1-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by 7%. In 2025, Google has introduced new Core Web Vitals metrics including Interaction to Next Paint (INP) replacing First Input Delay (FID), making user interaction responsiveness even more critical.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Go to pagespeed.web.dev (Google's official speed test tool)
  2. Enter your website URL and click "Analyze"
  3. Wait for the test to complete (usually 30-60 seconds)
  4. Review your mobile score (aim for 90+ for good, 50-89 needs improvement, below 50 is poor)
  5. Check the "Opportunities" section for the biggest improvements
  6. Focus on these common fixes first:
    • Optimize images - compress large photos
    • Remove unused plugins - deactivate what you don't need
    • Choose a faster hosting provider - if load times are consistently slow
    • Enable caching - use a caching plugin if on WordPress
  7. Test again after making changes to measure improvement
  8. Set a reminder to test monthly

Pro Tip

Don't try to fix everything at once. Start with the "Opportunities" that show the biggest potential time savings. Image optimization usually gives the biggest bang for your buck and is often the easiest fix.

Need help with technical SEO issues like page speed optimization? SMS Agency can handle the technical details for you so you can focus on running your business.

Part 2: Optimize Your Website

Now that you have the basics set up, it's time to optimize your website content for search engines. These tasks focus on making your pages more discoverable and relevant to your target audience.

4

Research and optimize for your main keywords

45 min Free High Impact

Find the exact words and phrases your customers use when searching for your products or services, then optimize your website content to match those searches.

Why This Matters

Keyword optimization is the foundation of SEO. When you use the same words your customers search for, Google can better understand what your business offers and show your website to the right people. Proper keyword research can increase your organic traffic by 200-300%.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Brainstorm seed keywords: List 5-10 words that describe your business (e.g., "plumber," "wedding photographer," "accounting services")
  2. Use free keyword tools:
    • Google Keyword Planner (free with Google Ads account)
    • Ubersuggest (3 free searches per day)
    • Answer The Public (free version available)
    • Google's "People also ask" and autocomplete suggestions
  3. Find long-tail keywords: Look for 3-4 word phrases with lower competition (e.g., "emergency plumber Denver" instead of just "plumber")
  4. Check search volume and competition: Aim for keywords with 100-1000 monthly searches and low-medium competition
  5. Create a keyword list: Choose 1 primary keyword and 2-3 secondary keywords for each important page
  6. Optimize your pages:
    • Include primary keyword in page title (H1)
    • Use keyword in first paragraph naturally
    • Include in meta description
    • Use variations throughout content (don't stuff!)
    • Add to image alt text when relevant

Example

Bad: "We provide services" (too vague)
Good: "We provide emergency plumbing services in Denver, including 24/7 leak repair, drain cleaning, and water heater installation."

Pro Tip for 2025

Focus on "buyer intent" keywords and conversational phrases for voice search. Words like "near me," "best," "hire," "buy," or "services" indicate higher purchase intent. In 2025, also optimize for AI search engines like ChatGPT and Google's SGE (Search Generative Experience) by including natural, question-based keywords that people might ask AI assistants.

5

Create dedicated pages for each service/product

60 min Free High Impact

Create individual pages for each of your main services or products instead of listing everything on one page. This helps you rank for specific searches and provides better user experience.

Why This Matters

Google prefers specific, focused content over generic pages. A dedicated page for "wedding photography" will rank better for that search than a general "photography services" page. Each page can target different keywords and attract different customer segments.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. List your main offerings: Write down each distinct service or product category (aim for 3-8 main pages)
  2. Create a page structure: Each page should include:
    • Clear, descriptive page title with target keyword
    • Compelling headline that includes the service name
    • Detailed description (300+ words minimum)
    • Benefits and features list
    • Pricing information (if appropriate)
    • Customer testimonials or reviews
    • Clear call-to-action (contact form, phone number, booking link)
    • High-quality images or examples
  3. Write unique content for each page: Don't copy and paste - each page should be distinct and valuable
  4. Include local keywords: Add your city/region name when relevant (e.g., "Denver wedding photography")
  5. Add schema markup: Use structured data to help Google understand your services (if technically possible)
  6. Create user-friendly URLs: Use descriptive URLs like /wedding-photography instead of /page1

Example Page Structure

Page Title: "Professional Wedding Photography in Denver | [Your Business Name]"
H1 Headline: "Capture Your Perfect Wedding Day with Professional Denver Photography"
Content includes: Your photography style, packages offered, what's included, sample galleries, client testimonials, booking process, and contact information.

Pro Tip

Include FAQ sections on each service page. Answer common questions like pricing, timeline, what's included, and process. This helps with SEO and reduces customer service inquiries. Use the "People Also Ask" results from Google for FAQ ideas.

6

Add internal links between your pages

30 min Free Medium Impact

Connect your website pages with relevant internal links to help Google understand your site structure and keep visitors engaged longer.

Why This Matters

Internal linking helps Google discover and understand all your pages, passes authority between pages, and keeps visitors on your site longer. Sites with good internal linking see 40% more page views and better search rankings for all connected pages.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Audit your current pages: List all your important pages (services, about, contact, blog posts)
  2. Identify linking opportunities: Look for places where you naturally mention other services or related topics
  3. Add contextual links:
    • Link from your homepage to all main service pages
    • Link between related services (e.g., "wedding photography" to "engagement photography")
    • Link from blog posts to relevant service pages
    • Add "related services" sections at the bottom of service pages
  4. Use descriptive anchor text: Instead of "click here," use "professional wedding photography services" or "learn about our pricing"
  5. Create a logical site structure:
    • Homepage → Main service categories → Specific services
    • About page → Team members → Individual bios
    • Blog → Related blog posts → Service pages
  6. Add navigation menus: Include main services in your header navigation and footer
  7. Don't overdo it: Aim for 2-5 internal links per page, focusing on the most relevant connections

Good Internal Linking Examples

On your wedding photography page:
"Many couples also book our engagement photography sessions to get comfortable with our style before the big day."

On your blog post about wedding planning:
"Don't forget to book your professional wedding photographer at least 6 months in advance."

Pro Tip

Create a "Services" or "What We Do" page that links to all your individual service pages. This creates a hub that helps Google understand your full service offering and gives visitors an easy way to explore everything you offer.

Struggling with keyword research or content optimization? Get expert guidance from SMS Agency to ensure you're targeting the right keywords for maximum impact.

Build your website's authority and credibility through strategic backlink building. These tasks focus on earning quality links from reputable sources that will boost your search rankings.

7

Reach out to partners and local businesses

30 min Free Medium Impact

Connect with complementary businesses, suppliers, and local partners to exchange valuable backlinks that benefit both parties.

Why This Matters

Partner backlinks are some of the most natural and valuable links you can earn. They come from businesses that already know and trust you, making them highly credible in Google's eyes. Local business partnerships can increase your local search visibility by 40-60%.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify potential partners:
    • Suppliers and vendors you work with
    • Complementary businesses (not competitors)
    • Local chamber of commerce members
    • Professional associations
    • Clients who have websites (with permission)
  2. Create a target list: Start with 10-15 businesses you have existing relationships with
  3. Offer value first: Link to them on your website before asking for a link back
  4. Reach out personally: Use the email template below, but personalize each message
  5. Suggest specific link opportunities:
    • Partner/vendor pages
    • Resource lists
    • Testimonial exchanges
    • Joint blog posts or case studies
  6. Follow up: Send a polite follow-up after 1 week if no response
  7. Maintain relationships: Continue to support partners even after getting links

Email Template for Partner Outreach

Pro Tip

Focus on quality over quantity. One link from a trusted local business partner is worth more than 10 links from random directories. Always link to them first as a gesture of good faith.

8

Submit to quality business directories

45 min Free Medium Impact

Get your business listed in reputable online directories to build citations and backlinks while ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information is consistent everywhere.

Why This Matters

Directory listings create citations that help Google verify your business information and improve local search rankings. Consistent NAP information across directories can boost local SEO by 25-30%. Quality directories also provide valuable backlinks and can drive direct traffic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Ensure NAP consistency first:
    • Use the exact same business name everywhere
    • Use the same address format (including suite numbers, abbreviations)
    • Use the same phone number format
    • Example: "123 Main St, Suite 100" not "123 Main Street, Ste 100"
  2. Start with major directories (free listings):
    • Google Business Profile (already done in Task 1)
    • Bing Places for Business
    • Apple Maps Connect
    • Facebook Business Page
    • Yelp for Business
    • Better Business Bureau (if applicable)
  3. Add industry-specific directories:
    • Angie's List (home services)
    • Avvo (legal services)
    • Healthgrades (healthcare)
    • TripAdvisor (hospitality)
    • Houzz (home improvement)
  4. Include local directories:
    • Chamber of Commerce directory
    • Local newspaper business directories
    • City/county business directories
    • Local association directories
  5. For each directory:
    • Create a complete profile with all available fields
    • Use consistent NAP information
    • Add high-quality photos
    • Write compelling business descriptions
    • Include your website URL
    • Select appropriate categories
  6. Track your listings: Keep a spreadsheet of where you're listed for future updates

NAP Consistency Guide

✅ Good - Consistent NAP

Name: Smith Plumbing Services
Address: 123 Main St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 555-0123

❌ Bad - Inconsistent NAP

Name: Smith Plumbing (different)
Address: 123 Main Street, Ste 100, Denver, Colorado 80202 (different format)
Phone: 303-555-0123 (different format)

Pro Tip

Focus on directories that are relevant to your industry and location. Avoid low-quality directories that look spammy. It's better to have 10 listings on quality directories than 50 on questionable ones.

9

Explore guest posting opportunities

60 min Free High Impact

Write valuable content for other websites in your industry to earn high-quality backlinks and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Why This Matters

Guest posting on reputable sites can provide some of the highest-quality backlinks available. These links come with editorial context, showing Google that other experts in your field value your expertise. Quality guest posts can increase domain authority and drive targeted traffic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify target websites:
    • Industry blogs and publications
    • Local business blogs
    • Professional association websites
    • Complementary business blogs
    • Local news websites with business sections
  2. Research their content:
    • Read recent posts to understand their style
    • Check if they accept guest posts (look for "write for us" pages)
    • Note their typical post length and format
    • Identify content gaps you could fill
  3. Develop topic ideas:
    • Share industry insights and trends
    • Provide actionable tips and tutorials
    • Discuss common customer problems and solutions
    • Share case studies (with permission)
  4. Create your pitch: Use the email template below
  5. Write high-quality content:
    • Focus on providing value, not self-promotion
    • Include actionable advice
    • Use data and examples when possible
    • Keep promotional content to author bio only
  6. Follow their guidelines: Each site will have specific requirements for submissions
  7. Promote the published post: Share on your social media to show appreciation

Guest Post Pitch Email Template

Local SEO Focus for Guest Posts

  • Target local publications: Local newspapers, city magazines, chamber of commerce blogs
  • Write about local topics: "5 Ways [Your City] Businesses Can Improve Their Online Presence"
  • Include local keywords: Mention your city/region naturally in the content
  • Link to local resources: Reference local events, organizations, or landmarks
  • Author bio optimization: Include your city in your bio description

Pro Tip

Start with smaller, local websites before pitching major industry publications. Build a portfolio of published guest posts to reference in future pitches. Quality trumps quantity - one post on a respected site is worth more than five on low-quality blogs.

Part 4: Content That Helps You Rank

Quality content is what separates successful websites from the rest. These tasks focus on creating and maintaining content that both search engines and your customers love.

10

Create blog posts that answer customer questions

90 min Free High Impact

Write helpful blog posts that directly answer the questions your customers ask most often. This positions you as an expert and captures search traffic from people looking for solutions.

Why This Matters

Question-based content gets 14x more shares than other content types and ranks well because it matches how people search. When you answer customer questions, you build trust and capture traffic from people actively seeking solutions you provide.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Collect customer questions:
    • Review emails, phone calls, and chat logs for common questions
    • Ask your sales team what customers ask most
    • Check Google's "People Also Ask" for your main keywords
    • Use AnswerThePublic.com to find question-based searches
  2. Choose your first 5 questions that you get asked most frequently
  3. Create comprehensive answers:
    • Write 800-1500 words per post (Google favors detailed content)
    • Use the question as your H1 title
    • Answer the question in the first paragraph
    • Include related sub-questions as H2 headings
    • Add examples, tips, and actionable advice
  4. Optimize for search:
    • Include the question phrase naturally throughout
    • Add related keywords and synonyms
    • Use bullet points and numbered lists
    • Include relevant images with alt text
  5. Add internal links to your service pages and other relevant blog posts
  6. Include a call-to-action at the end directing readers to contact you or learn more

Content Ideas by Industry

Plumber: "How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet?" "What causes low water pressure?" "When should I replace my water heater?"

Accountant: "What business expenses can I deduct?" "When is the tax deadline for small businesses?" "Should I incorporate my business?"

Photographer: "How far in advance should I book my wedding photographer?" "What should I wear for family photos?" "How long does it take to get wedding photos back?"

Pro Tip

Publish one new blog post per month consistently rather than posting 5 at once then nothing for months. Google rewards websites that publish fresh content regularly. Set a realistic schedule you can maintain.

Link building can be time-consuming and requires industry connections. Let SMS Agency's established network work for you to build high-quality backlinks that actually move the needle.

11

Build FAQ pages targeting "People Also Ask" searches

45 min Free Medium Impact

Create structured FAQ content that targets the questions Google shows in "People Also Ask" boxes. This helps you capture featured snippets and voice search traffic.

Why This Matters

FAQ content has a 87% higher chance of appearing in featured snippets, which get 35% of all clicks. Voice searches often pull answers from FAQ sections, and 50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2025.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Research "People Also Ask" questions:
    • Search for your main keywords on Google
    • Look for the "People Also Ask" box that appears
    • Click on each question to see more related questions
    • Save 15-20 questions relevant to your business
  2. Create a dedicated FAQ page on your website
  3. Structure your FAQ content properly:
    • Use H3 tags for each question
    • Keep answers between 40-60 words for featured snippets
    • Answer the question directly in the first sentence
    • Add more detail in following sentences if needed
  4. Add FAQ schema markup (if your website supports it):
    • Use structured data to help Google understand your FAQ content
    • Many WordPress plugins can add this automatically
    • Test with Google's Rich Results Test tool
  5. Link to relevant service pages within your FAQ answers
  6. Update your FAQ regularly as new questions come up

FAQ Format Example

Question: How much does wedding photography cost?

Answer: Wedding photography typically costs between $2,500-$5,000 for a full day of coverage. The price depends on the photographer's experience, location, package inclusions, and number of hours. Most packages include engagement photos, full wedding day coverage, and edited digital galleries delivered within 4-6 weeks.

Pro Tip

Monitor Google Search Console to see which FAQ questions are getting clicks and impressions. Expand popular questions into full blog posts for even more traffic potential.

12

Update and refresh your existing content

30 min Free Medium Impact

Regularly update your existing website content to keep it fresh, accurate, and relevant. Google favors websites that maintain current information.

Why This Matters

Fresh content can improve rankings by up to 25%. Google's algorithm considers content freshness as a ranking factor, especially for topics where current information matters. Updated content also improves user experience and conversion rates.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Audit your existing content monthly:
    • Check all service pages for outdated information
    • Review pricing, contact information, and business hours
    • Look for old blog posts that could be updated
    • Identify pages with declining traffic in Google Analytics
  2. Update factual information:
    • Current prices and service offerings
    • Staff changes and new team members
    • Business hours and location changes
    • Contact information and social media links
  3. Refresh content with new information:
    • Add recent examples and case studies
    • Include new industry trends and best practices
    • Update statistics and data points
    • Add new frequently asked questions
  4. Improve SEO elements:
    • Update meta descriptions with current information
    • Add new relevant keywords naturally
    • Improve internal linking to newer content
    • Optimize images and add new alt text
  5. Check and fix broken links (see next task for detailed instructions)
  6. Update publication dates to show content freshness

Content Freshness Schedule

Monthly: Review and update contact info, prices, business hours

Quarterly: Update service descriptions, add new case studies, refresh blog posts

Annually: Complete content audit, update all statistics, refresh about page and team bios

Pro Tip

Focus on updating your highest-traffic pages first - these updates will have the biggest impact. Use Google Analytics to identify which pages get the most visitors and prioritize those for updates.

13

Find and fix broken links on your website

20 min Free Low Impact

Regularly scan your website for broken links and fix them to maintain good user experience and SEO health. Broken links hurt your credibility and search rankings.

Why This Matters

Broken links create a poor user experience and can hurt your search rankings. Google sees broken links as a sign of poor website maintenance. Even a few broken links can reduce user trust and increase bounce rates by up to 15%.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Use free broken link checker tools:
    • Google Search Console: Check "Coverage" report for 404 errors
    • Broken Link Checker (online tool): Enter your website URL for a free scan
    • Dr. Link Check: Free tool that scans up to 3,000 links
    • W3C Link Checker: Official validator from W3C
  2. Manually check important pages:
    • Test all navigation menu links
    • Check contact page and social media links
    • Verify service page links and call-to-action buttons
    • Test footer links and legal pages
  3. Fix broken internal links:
    • Update URLs that have changed
    • Remove links to deleted pages
    • Fix typos in link URLs
    • Create 301 redirects for moved pages
  4. Handle broken external links:
    • Find alternative sources for the same information
    • Remove links to permanently closed websites
    • Update links to moved external content
    • Consider using archive.org for historical references
  5. Set up monitoring:
    • Check Google Search Console monthly for new 404 errors
    • Run a broken link scan quarterly
    • Set up Google Alerts for your brand name to catch external link issues

Common Broken Link Causes

Internal: Page URLs changed, pages deleted, typos in links, website restructuring

External: Referenced websites shut down, content moved to new URLs, temporary server issues, social media profile changes

Pro Tip

When linking to external websites, choose authoritative sources that are less likely to disappear (government sites, major publications, established organizations). This reduces future broken link maintenance.

Part 5: Track Your SEO Progress

What gets measured gets improved. These tracking tasks help you monitor your SEO progress, identify what's working, and make data-driven decisions to boost your rankings.

14

Monitor Google Search Console weekly

15 min Free High Impact

Use Google's free tool to track which keywords bring visitors to your site, identify new opportunities, and catch technical issues before they hurt your rankings.

Why This Matters

Search Console shows you exactly how Google sees your website. Regular monitoring helps you spot ranking improvements, discover new keyword opportunities, and fix problems quickly. Businesses that check Search Console weekly see 40% better SEO results than those who don't.

Weekly Monitoring Checklist

  1. Check Performance Report:
    • Review total clicks and impressions (compare to last week)
    • Look for new keywords in the top 10 positions
    • Identify pages with high impressions but low clicks (opportunity to improve titles)
    • Find keywords ranking 11-20 that you can push to page 1
  2. Review Coverage Issues:
    • Check for new errors or warnings
    • Fix any "Page not found" or "Server error" issues
    • Ensure important pages aren't excluded from indexing
  3. Monitor Core Web Vitals:
    • Check page experience scores
    • Address any "Poor" or "Needs Improvement" URLs
    • Focus on mobile performance first
  4. Track Manual Actions:
    • Ensure no penalties have been applied
    • Address any security issues immediately

Pro Tip

Set up email alerts in Search Console for critical issues. Focus on the "Queries" tab to find keywords where you rank 8-15 - these are your best opportunities for quick wins with some optimization.

15

Set up Google Analytics goals and tracking

30 min Free High Impact

Track what visitors do on your website after finding you through search. Set up goals to measure how SEO traffic converts into leads, sales, or other valuable actions.

Why This Matters

Traffic without conversions is just vanity metrics. Google Analytics helps you understand which SEO efforts actually drive business results. Companies that track conversions see 3x better ROI from their SEO efforts because they can focus on what works.

Setup Instructions

  1. Install Google Analytics 4 (GA4):
    • Go to analytics.google.com and create an account
    • Add your website as a property
    • Install the tracking code on your website
    • Connect to Google Search Console for combined data
  2. Set up key conversion goals:
    • Contact form submissions (most important for service businesses)
    • Phone calls (if you have click-to-call buttons)
    • Email signups (for newsletter or lead magnets)
    • Purchase completions (for e-commerce)
    • Page views of key pages (services, about, pricing)
  3. Create custom reports:
    • Organic traffic performance report
    • Goal completions by traffic source
    • Top converting keywords (requires Search Console connection)
    • Page performance and user behavior flow
  4. Set up automated reports:
    • Weekly email summary of key metrics
    • Monthly goal completion report
    • Alerts for significant traffic changes

Key Metrics to Track

Traffic Quality: Organic sessions, bounce rate, pages per session, session duration

Conversions: Goal completion rate, conversion value, cost per conversion

Content Performance: Top landing pages, exit pages, internal search terms

Technical: Site speed, mobile vs desktop performance, browser/device data

Pro Tip

Focus on "assisted conversions" in GA4 - these show how organic search contributes to conversions even when it's not the final click. SEO often plays a crucial role in the customer journey before the final conversion.

Overwhelmed by all the data and metrics? SMS Agency provides clear, actionable reporting that shows exactly what's working and what needs attention.

📊

Monthly SEO Progress Review

45 min Free Essential

Conduct a comprehensive monthly review of your SEO performance to identify trends, celebrate wins, and plan improvements for the following month.

Monthly Review Checklist

  1. Traffic Analysis (Google Analytics):
    • Compare organic traffic to previous month and same month last year
    • Identify top performing pages and content
    • Review bounce rate and session duration trends
    • Check mobile vs desktop traffic split
    • Analyze goal completion rates and conversion trends
  2. Keyword Performance (Search Console):
    • Track ranking improvements for target keywords
    • Identify new keywords entering top 20 positions
    • Find high-impression, low-click opportunities
    • Monitor click-through rates for key pages
    • Document any ranking drops and investigate causes
  3. Technical Health Check:
    • Review Core Web Vitals scores and improvements
    • Check for new crawl errors or indexing issues
    • Monitor page speed performance across key pages
    • Verify mobile usability scores
    • Ensure no manual actions or security issues
  4. Backlink Profile Review:
    • Check for new backlinks gained this month
    • Monitor domain authority improvements
    • Identify and disavow any toxic links
    • Track competitor backlink activities
    • Plan outreach for next month's link building
  5. Content Performance:
    • Review which blog posts/pages drove the most traffic
    • Identify content gaps based on search queries
    • Update outdated content with fresh information
    • Plan new content based on keyword opportunities
    • Check for content that needs optimization
  6. Goal Setting for Next Month:
    • Set realistic traffic growth targets (5-15% monthly growth is healthy)
    • Choose 3-5 keywords to focus on improving
    • Plan content creation and optimization tasks
    • Schedule technical improvements and fixes
    • Set conversion rate improvement goals

Monthly Tracking Template

Traffic: Organic sessions: [Current] vs [Previous] = [% Change]

Rankings: Keywords in top 10: [Number] | New keywords ranking: [Number]

Conversions: Goal completions: [Number] | Conversion rate: [%]

Technical: Core Web Vitals: [Good/Needs Work] | Crawl errors: [Number]

Content: New content published: [Number] | Top performing page: [URL]

Next Month Goals: [List 3-5 specific, measurable objectives]

Pro Tip

Create a simple spreadsheet to track your key metrics month over month. This historical data helps you spot seasonal trends and measure the long-term impact of your SEO efforts. Focus on trends rather than daily fluctuations.

🔗
20 min Free/Paid Medium Impact

Track who's linking to your website, monitor your domain authority growth, and identify opportunities to build more high-quality backlinks.

Why This Matters

Backlinks are one of Google's top ranking factors. Monitoring your link profile helps you understand your authority growth, spot new link opportunities, and catch any negative SEO attacks early. Sites with strong backlink profiles rank 3.2x higher on average.

Free Backlink Monitoring Tools

  1. Google Search Console (Free):
    • Go to "Links" section to see your top linking sites
    • Review "Top linking text" to ensure it's relevant
    • Check "Top linked pages" to see which content attracts links
    • Monitor for sudden drops in linking domains
  2. Ubersuggest (Free version):
    • Enter your domain in the backlink analyzer
    • Check domain score and total backlinks
    • Review new and lost backlinks monthly
    • Compare your profile to competitors
  3. Ahrefs Backlink Checker (Free):
    • Get basic backlink data for any domain
    • See top 100 backlinks and referring domains
    • Check domain rating (DR) score
    • Identify your strongest link sources
  4. Moz Link Explorer (Free):
    • Check domain authority (DA) and page authority (PA)
    • Review spam score for link quality
    • Analyze anchor text distribution
    • Track authority growth over time

Monthly Backlink Checklist

✓ New backlinks gained: [Number] | Quality assessment: [High/Medium/Low]

✓ Lost backlinks: [Number] | Reason: [Site down/Link removed/Other]

✓ Domain authority change: [Previous] → [Current] = [+/- Change]

✓ Toxic links identified: [Number] | Action taken: [Disavow/Contact]

✓ Competitor analysis: [New opportunities discovered]

✓ Outreach opportunities: [Sites to contact next month]

Pro Tip

Focus on the quality of backlinks, not just quantity. One link from a high-authority, relevant site is worth more than 100 links from low-quality directories. Use Google's disavow tool only for clearly spammy or malicious links.

Printable Checklist Summary

Use this one-page summary to track your SEO progress. Print this page or save as PDF for easy reference.

Part 1: Set Up the Essentials

Notes:
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Part 2: Optimize Your Website

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Part 3: Backlink Building Tips

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Part 4: Content That Helps You Rank

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Part 5: Track Your SEO Progress

Notes:
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Your SEO Progress

Tasks Completed: _____ / 15
Date Started: _________________
Target Completion: _________________

Priority Tasks (Complete First):

1. Google Business Profile (Task 1)
2. Google Search Console (Task 2)
3. Keyword Research (Task 4)
4. Service Pages (Task 5)

Additional Notes:

Bonus Resources

Here are additional tools, templates, and resources to supercharge your SEO efforts. All links are current as of 2025 and most tools offer free versions.

🛠️ Free SEO Tools You Need

Google Search Console

Monitor your website's search performance and fix technical issues

search.google.com/search-console

Google Analytics 4

Track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion goals

analytics.google.com

Google Keyword Planner

Research keywords and see search volume data

ads.google.com/keyword-planner

Ubersuggest (Free Version)

Keyword research and competitor analysis (3 free searches/day)

neilpatel.com/ubersuggest

Answer The Public

Find questions people ask about your keywords

answerthepublic.com

Google PageSpeed Insights

Test your website speed and get optimization suggestions

pagespeed.web.dev

Screaming Frog (Free Version)

Crawl your website to find technical SEO issues (500 URLs free)

screamingfrog.co.uk/seo-spider

Google My Business

Manage your local business listing and reviews

business.google.com

Yoast SEO (WordPress)

WordPress plugin for on-page SEO optimization

yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo

MozBar (Free Browser Extension)

See domain authority and page authority while browsing

moz.com/products/pro/seo-toolbar

📧 Email Templates for Backlink Outreach

Copy and customize these proven email templates for your outreach campaigns. Personalization is key to success!

📊 Google Sheet Templates & Tracking Resources

These Google Sheet template ideas will help you track your SEO progress and stay organized. Click the links to create your own versions using the structure and features described below.

SEO Keyword Tracking Sheet

Track your target keywords, current rankings, and monthly progress

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Keyword tracking with search volume
  • Current position monitoring
  • Monthly ranking changes
  • Competitor comparison

Backlink Outreach Tracker

Manage your link building campaigns and track outreach success

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Contact information database
  • Email status tracking
  • Response rate analytics
  • Link acquisition log

Content Calendar for SEO

Plan your content strategy with SEO-focused editorial calendar

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Monthly content planning
  • Keyword assignment per post
  • Publishing schedule
  • Performance tracking

Local SEO Citation Tracker

Track your business listings across directories and review sites

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Directory submission checklist
  • NAP consistency tracking
  • Review monitoring
  • Citation building progress

SEO Audit Checklist

Comprehensive technical SEO audit template for your website

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Technical SEO checklist
  • On-page optimization audit
  • Site speed analysis
  • Mobile-friendliness check

Monthly SEO Report Template

Professional SEO reporting template for clients or internal use

Create Your Own →

Includes:

  • Traffic and ranking summaries
  • Goal achievement tracking
  • Recommendations section
  • Visual charts and graphs

🎯 Additional Learning Resources

Google's SEO Starter Guide

Official SEO guidance directly from Google

developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide

Moz Beginner's Guide to SEO

Comprehensive free SEO education resource

moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo

Search Engine Land

Latest SEO news and algorithm updates

searchengineland.com

Google Search Central Blog

Official updates and announcements from Google

developers.google.com/search/blog

Need Help Implementing These Strategies?

SMS Agency specializes in helping small businesses improve their search rankings and drive more qualified traffic. If you'd like professional help implementing any of these strategies, we're here to help.

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Contact & Services

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Local SEO Optimization

Dominate local search results with optimized Google Business Profile, local citations, and location-based content strategies.

  • Google Business Profile optimization
  • Local citation building
  • Review management
  • Local keyword targeting
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Technical SEO Audit

Comprehensive website analysis to identify and fix technical issues that prevent your site from ranking higher.

  • Site speed optimization
  • Mobile responsiveness check
  • Schema markup implementation
  • Crawl error fixes
✍️

Content Strategy

Strategic content creation and optimization that attracts your ideal customers and builds topical authority.

  • Keyword research & strategy
  • Content calendar planning
  • Blog post optimization
  • FAQ and landing page creation
🔗

Link Building

Ethical, white-hat link building strategies that improve your domain authority and search rankings.

  • Local directory submissions
  • Industry partnership outreach
  • Guest posting opportunities
  • Broken link building

SMS Agency

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Email support@socialmediasuccess.agency
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Website socialmediasuccess.agency
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Why Choose SMS Agency?

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Proven Results: We've helped over 300 small businesses improve their search rankings and increase website traffic by an average of 150%.
🎯
Small Business Focus: We understand the unique challenges small businesses face and tailor our strategies accordingly.
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Transparent Reporting: Monthly reports showing exactly how your SEO investment is paying off with clear metrics and insights.
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