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The field notes / Local SEO guides

Good knowledge.
Real-world progress.

Straightforward guides for building a stronger local presence. Start with the fundamentals, work through the checklists, and take the next step with confidence.

11 guides. Yours to use.

Visual guide / Free checklist

The Local SEO Checklist 2026

Eight practical areas to review, with a downloadable visual checklist and a plain-English explanation of each step.

Explore the checklist
01 / Essential

Google Business Profile Optimization

A step-by-step Google Business Profile optimization guide: claim and verify your listing, pick the right categories, add photos, earn reviews, and rank in the Local Pack.

15 min read
02 / Essential

Local Citations and NAP Consistency

Build authoritative local citations and lock down NAP consistency. A step-by-step guide to auditing listings, fixing inconsistencies, and strengthening local rankings.

12 min read
03 / Local SEO

How Much Does Local SEO Cost in Minneapolis? (2026 Pricing Guide)

What to look for in a local SEO estimate for your Minneapolis business, including audit, advisory, and managed service scopes.

9 min read
04 / Local SEO

Best Local SEO Companies in Minneapolis (2026)

The 7 best local SEO companies serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities in 2026, compared on focus, pricing model, and best-fit business — including web design, advisory, and managed local SEO options.

8 min read
05 / Local SEO

Best Local SEO Software for Small Businesses (2026)

Six local SEO software tools for small businesses in 2026, compared on price, geo-grid rank tracking, citations, and reviews — from specialist tools to enterprise listings platforms.

9 min read
06 / Content

Local Content Strategy

Plan content that ranks: service pages, location pages, and local blog posts built around search intent. A step-by-step local content strategy guide with templates.

14 min read
07 / Reputation

Social Signals and Reviews

Turn reviews and social proof into local rankings. A step-by-step guide to generating reviews, responding the right way, and using social signals to boost local SEO.

10 min read
08 / Web Design

How Much Does a Small Business Website Cost in 2026?

A clear, no-jargon breakdown of what a small business website actually costs in 2026 — DIY builders, freelancers, agencies, and custom builds — plus the ongoing costs people forget.

8 min read
09 / Web Design

WordPress vs. Custom-Built Website

WordPress, Squarespace, or a custom-built site? A practical comparison for small businesses — speed, SEO, cost, and maintenance — so you pick the right foundation the first time.

9 min read
10 / Web Design

SEO Web Design

SEO web design means search is designed in, not bolted on. What that involves — speed, structure, schema, mobile, content — where design and SEO genuinely conflict, and how to tell if your current site was built for it.

18 min read
11 / Local SEO

LLM SEO for Local Businesses

How ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI Overviews decide which local businesses to cite, and the LLM SEO signals (schema, NAP, reviews) worth fixing first.

13 min read

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