5 Signs Your Local SEO Strategy Is Missing the Mark (And How to Fix It)

Ever feel like your website is working harder than you are, but somehow the phone isn’t ringing—or if it is, it’s not with the right kind of calls? You’re definitely not alone. As someone who gets deep in the weeds with small business owners and agency partners every day, I’ve seen just how tricky local SEO can be. There are plenty of ways a local SEO strategy can quietly go off track (even for seasoned marketers), leaving your business invisible when it matters most. In this post, I’ll break down the most common areas where things go sideways, how to spot them, and give you practical fixes—no fluff, just actionable advice from real-world experience.

1. Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Optimized (Or Isn’t Even Yours Yet)

Your Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly Google My Business) is the front door to your digital shop. Yet too many businesses treat it as a formality or, worse, haven’t claimed it at all. If your GBP is sparse or left unclaimed, it’s basically an open invitation for someone else—or Google—to fill in the blanks. This can mean the wrong hours, missing phone numbers, or outdated photos showing your store back when you still sold fidget spinners (ouch).

• Red flags: You don’t know who owns your GBP account, you can’t remember the last time you updated the hours, or a customer calls to say your pin is dropping in the wrong parking lot.
• What to do:
  • Claim and verify: If you haven’t already, this is step one. Head to Google Business, search for your business, and follow the verification steps.
  • Populate every field possible: Think categories, services, Q&A, real opening hours, and a short but descriptive business summary.
  • Photos, photos, photos: Add at least 10 high-quality images showing your storefront, staff, or service in action. Don’t be shy—you want people to feel at home before they walk in.
  • Review your business description and categories: Make sure you’ve chosen specific categories, not just general ones. For example, “Orthodontist” pulls in different searches than “Dentist.”

2. Your NAP Isn’t Consistent (And You’re Losing Trust Because of It)

Search engines—just like humans—don’t trust conflicting stories. Your business Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) info needs to match everywhere: on your website, in every directory, on social media, and especially on Google. Even a ‘Ste.’ on one site and ‘Suite’ on another can trip things up and erode Google’s confidence (which means lower rankings for you).

• Red flags: You search your business and see three different phone numbers, an old address, or misspellings of your name on map results or directory listings.
• What to do:
  • Start with a NAP audit: Search your business name and make a spreadsheet of everywhere you appear. Spot the inconsistencies.
  • Fix the big ones first: Prioritize listings like Google, Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps, and major industry directories. Update them, and keep a record of what needs regular future checks.
  • Standardize your info: Be obsessive about using the exact same format everywhere—down to the suite number, abbreviations, and punctuation.
  • Pro tip: If you’re overwhelmed, look at a tool like Moz Local or get in touch with someone (like me!) who does manual cleanups for clients.

3. You’re Not Asking for Reviews (Or You’re Ignoring the Ones You Get)

Reviews are the word-of-mouth of today—only they persist forever and show up right when someone’s deciding if they trust you. If you don’t have a proactive review strategy, or you’re not replying to happy and unhappy customers, you’ll quickly fade behind competitors who make this a routine.

• Red flags: Your last review was months ago, you have a sea of 4-star ratings but barely any commentary, or worse—there’s a bad review stuck at the top and you haven’t acknowledged it.
• What to do:
  • Ask, ask, ask: Make requesting reviews part of every customer interaction. You can do this verbally, through email follow-ups, or by adding a simple link to receipts. Friendly reminders go a long way.
  • Respond rapidly: Reply to every review—good or bad—with genuine appreciation. Address complaints directly and offer to resolve concerns offline if needed. It shows you care (and search engines notice, too).
  • Showcase your wins: Feature standout reviews in GBP updates or as testimonials on your website to build trust with future customers.

4. Your On-Page SEO Is Stuck in 2012 (Keyword Stuffing and Missed Local Signals)

You’ve seen those websites: every other sentence contains something like “best plumber Springville” in unnatural spots. Not only does this put off real people, but search engines will spot the stuffing a mile away. Worse, if you’re relying on the same high-volume phrases everyone else is, you’ll never stand out in local search.

• Red flags: Pages read awkwardly, you’re not mentioning your actual neighborhood or nearby landmarks, and your meta titles are more than 65 characters (or waste space with generic branding first).
• What to do:
  • Sprinkle, don’t dump: Use your main keyword naturally, and mix in synonyms and semantically related phrases. Instead of only “Middletown pizza,” try talking about “downtown Middletown slices,” “family pizza nights in Middletown,” or “near the Water Street market.”
  • Local flavor: Reference neighborhoods, streets, parks, and events that only locals would know. Google—and your customers—love this authentic context.
  • Optimize your meta titles and descriptions: Keep them catchy, under 60 characters, and lead with the main keyword whenever possible. Descriptions should be compelling summaries, not just keyword dumps.

5. You Haven’t Built Local Relationships (Backlinks & Mentions Matter)

Google wants to surface businesses that are relevant and trusted in their communities. One of its biggest trust signals? Backlinks from other local organizations, trusted industry sites, local news, blogs, community groups, and neighboring businesses. If your website is an island, it’s hard to make the map.

• Red flags: You don’t know who in your town links to you, you’ve never reached out to a local business for a collaboration, or your blog topics are totally generic.
• What to do:
  • Sponsor a local group or event: Whether it’s a softball team, school fundraiser, or neighborhood clean-up, there’s usually a shout-out and backlink opportunity.
  • Contribute to local blogs and directories: Offer guest tips, “how-to” guides, or resources for the community. Even a local real estate broker’s resource page can turn into a win-win link.
  • Create useful local content: Publish guides like “Best Dog Parks Near [Your City]” or “Local Resources for Small Business Owners”. These aren’t just blog filler—they attract organic shares and links.

Spot-Check: Common Tools to Audit Your Local SEO

Staying on top of all these moving parts can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tools I’ve found invaluable—whether you run everything in-house or just want a quick health check:

• BrightLocal: Great for tracking rankings and quickly auditing your local listings.
• Moz Local: Simple way to keep tabs on citation/NAP consistency across major directories.
• Your Google Business Profile dashboard: Home base for reviews, updates, and performance insights.

But don’t get lost in the tools—consistent action always beats analysis paralysis. Even a few hours a month focused on these fixes can boost your local visibility and bring in meaningful leads.

Putting It All Together

Most local SEO mistakes aren’t epic blunders—they’re just gaps that grow over time: a GBP you haven’t touched in months, an outdated phone number still floating around, or letting reviews (good and bad) pile up without a response. The good news? Each one is totally fixable, starting today.

If you’re feeling in over your head or just short on bandwidth, that’s where I come in. Helping overwhelmed business owners and hard-working marketers untangle their local SEO snags is what I do, so you can focus on growing your business instead of troubleshooting listings. Get in touch here if you want firsthand help or just a second pair of eyes on your SEO situation.

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source https://alkalyne.com/blog/5-signs-your-local-seo-strategy-is-missing-the-mark-and-how-to-fix-it/

Is Freelancing Right for You? The Pros, Cons, and Keys to Standing Out

I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve thought about freelancing—some who’ve taken the leap, some who are still on the fence. The idea of working for yourself, choosing your projects, and skipping the daily commute is appealing, no doubt.

But freelancing isn’t all home-office coffee breaks and mid-day hikes. It’s also about selling yourself, managing uncertainty, and finding ways to stand out in a sea of freelancers offering the same services.

If you’re weighing whether freelancing is the right move, let me break it down for you: the good, the not-so-good, and how to succeed in a crowded field.

Why Freelancing Appeals to So Many: Freedom and Flexibility

One of the biggest draws of freelancing is freedom—freedom to choose your hours, your projects, and (to some degree) your clients. If you’re coming from a rigid 9-to-5, it can feel like a breath of fresh air.

Freelancing also gives you a chance to pursue work that excites you, or to blend your personal life and work life in a way that feels more natural. Want to take a long lunch or go for a run mid-afternoon? Go for it. You’re the boss.

The Challenges: Income Gaps, Loneliness, and Client Demands

Of course, that freedom comes with a price.

You’ll face income ups and downs—especially when you’re just starting out. There’s no paid vacation, no employer-sponsored health plan, and no guaranteed paycheck on Friday.

Freelancing can also feel isolating. No team lunches or water cooler chats—just you and your laptop. And while you might have more control over your time, your clients will still have deadlines and demands. Managing those expectations is part of the job.

How to Differentiate Yourself in a Crowded Market

Let’s be honest: there are a lot of freelancers out there. From web developers to copywriters, someone else probably offers what you do. So how do you stand out?

The trick is to focus not just on what you offer, but how you deliver it.

• Specialize in a niche or style
• Develop a unique process or framework
• Invest in your portfolio and reviews
• Be crystal-clear about your value and outcomes

In saturated markets, your personality and approach matter just as much as your technical skills.

It’s Not Just About the Work—It’s About the Relationship

Here’s a belief I hold strongly: anyone can deliver the same service—but not everyone can build the same relationship.

When clients hire you, they’re not just buying your work. They’re buying your attitude, your responsiveness, and how you make them feel.

Do you listen well? Do you ask smart questions? Do you make their life easier?

That human element—rapport, trust, and the sense that you “get” them—can be the difference between a one-off gig and a long-term client.

The Role of Support and Communication in Successful Freelancing

Support doesn’t just mean doing good work. It means communicating clearly, setting expectations, and being there when questions pop up.

• Be upfront about timelines and deliverables
• Keep your clients updated throughout a project
• Be proactive when challenges arise

When you consistently show up, respond promptly, and act like a real partner (not just a hired gun), clients remember—and come back for more.

Are You Ready? Questions to Ask Before Making the Leap

If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself:

• Can I handle the uncertainty of variable income?
• Am I self-motivated and comfortable working alone?
• Do I enjoy the business side of freelancing, not just the work itself?
• Am I ready to sell myself as well as my skills?

If the answers are yes—or at least “I’m willing to learn”—you’re probably ready to give freelancing a real shot.

Let’s Make Your Freelance Life Work for You

Freelancing isn’t for everyone, but if you want freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build something truly yours—it can be an amazing fit.

Reach out today if you want to explore how to stand out as a freelancer, or if you’re an agency looking for a dependable white-label partner. I’ve been there—and I’m here to help.

source https://alkalyne.com/blog/is-freelancing-right-for-you/

4 Steps to Seamless Handoffs with Your White-Label Web Development Partner

If you’re an agency owner or an in-house marketer who’s ever tried to work with a white-label web development partner, you already know: the handoff can make or break the experience. Nailed it, and you get projects delivered on time, minimal headaches, and clients singing your praises. Get it wrong, and you’re swimming in email chains, scope creep, and (worst of all) awkward explanations to your client. After collaborating with dozens of agencies and project managers through Alkalyne Solutions, I’ve seen both outcomes up close. The good news? Seamless handoffs aren’t magic—they’re the result of following a set of real, practical steps that anyone can master.

Why White-Label Handoffs Matter More Than You Think

Let’s be real—white-label partnerships need more than just a handshake and a Slack channel. When you’re trusting another expert to build under your agency’s brand, your reputation is on the line. You want consistency, quality, and a process that keeps your clients happy while making your life easier. Every handoff is a promise to your client that things will be done right, behind (and in front of) the scenes.

Step 1: Strategic Alignment — Start with Absolute Clarity

The single biggest problem I see in bumpy agency-vendor relationships? Lack of clarity, right from the jump. Before a pixel gets pushed, both sides need to be on the same page about expectations, communication, and responsibilities. Here’s what I’ve learned works every time:

• Kickoff Calls with the Actual People Doing the Work: Not just account managers—make sure everyone shows up. This way, details don’t get lost in translation.
• Signed NDAs and Contracts: Everything, especially client information, stays buttoned up and secure.
• Communication Playbook: What channels do we use? How often do we check-in? Who needs to be CC’d for milestone updates? Agree to this now, and you’ll save hours of confusion later.
• Brand DNA and Requirements: I always ask for logos, color codes, and voice & tone guidelines—the more, the better. When I know your standards, your client never feels a disconnect.

Step 2: Build Bulletproof Project Briefs

Every seamless handoff I’ve experienced comes back to the project brief. If an agency gives me a fuzzy or incomplete brief, it’s almost guaranteed we’ll be going back and forth later. Here’s my personal process for a truly next-level handoff:

• Detailed Scope: What are the deliverables? Are we building a full website, or just a landing page?
• Technical Requirements: Hosting, CMS, plugins, integrations—what’s needed and what’s off-limits?
• Content and SEO Guidance: Who writes the copy? Are there keyword targets, or do I optimize while building?
• Brand Assets Folder: A Google Drive or Dropbox folder with logos, fonts, images, and anything else needed for a consistent look.
• Timeline With Milestones: Instead of one giant deadline, break it up: wireframes, design, build, launch.
• Success Metrics: Is load speed critical? Are there mobile priority issues, must-have GTMetrix scores, or accessibility aims? Spell it out.

Some agencies I work with use detailed templates, and others are more informal. My advice? Err on the side of too much information—the handoff is where you set expectations, and you won’t annoy someone by being thorough.

Step 3: Use Milestone Reviews to Catch Issues Early

If you’ve ever had a white-label project go sideways at launch, you know why this matters. It’s not enough to ‘wait for the end’—you need review points built in. Here’s how I run structured milestone reviews for my agency partners:

• Wireframe Approval: Before design begins, review the basic layout. This is the chance to catch logic flaws, UX issues, and anything that might impact the user journey or conversion goals.
• Design Mockups: Full design comps come next—stakeholders can comment, make requests, and clarify details before coding starts. I like gathering feedback directly on the files to save time.
• Staging Demos: The site gets built out fully on a private staging link. I encourage edits, click-throughs, and testing of all features on desktop and mobile.

This phased handoff means we all stay on the same page. No one likes being surprised at the finish line.

Step 4: Launch the Right Way—With Knowledge Transfer and Support

A true partnership doesn’t end at the handoff. One of the most common pain points I see from agency teams is a lack of final documentation and support. At Alkalyne, I always include:

• Deployment Plans: What steps are needed to launch? Are there DNS updates, backups, or platform settings to configure?
• Clear Documentation: Admin credentials, CMS guides, maintenance steps, and important settings—delivered in a tidy PDF or shared folder.
• Video Walkthroughs: Short screencasts of the admin area or key updates help demystify the site for you (and your client).
• Post-Launch Availability: I make sure you know how to reach me for tweaks, fixes, or those inevitable ‘how-do-I…?’ questions in the first few weeks after launch.

This last step is about trust. Your agency shouldn’t have to chase down your development partner when the client calls with an urgent fix. When handled right, a seamless handoff turns a one-time project into an ongoing, profitable relationship.

Putting It All Together: My Handoff Checklist

• Clear kickoff, shared communication rules, and signed NDA
• A comprehensive project brief with assets, milestones, and clear success criteria
• Milestone reviews with actionable feedback at each stage
• Launch documentation, video guides, and a support plan you can count on

The more you build these steps into your agency’s workflow, the more seamless every white-label handoff becomes—saving time, delivering consistently, and keeping your clients (and your team) happy. I’ve seen agencies go from dreading web projects to making them a highlight of their service menu, all because their handoffs got rock-solid.

Wrapping Up

Seamless white-label handoffs aren’t about making things fancy—they’re about being thorough, communicative, and proactive from day one. If you’re ready to make your next web build hands-off (in the best way), or just want to unload your agency’s digital headaches, get in touch with me. Let’s make your next handoff the smoothest one yet.

source https://alkalyne.com/blog/4-steps-to-seamless-handoffs-with-your-white-label-web-development-partner/

Laid Off, Leveled Up: How Losing My Job Launched My Freelance Career

After graduating with a degree in Oceanography and a minor in Computer Science, I wasn’t exactly swimming in obvious job opportunities. But I did have some coding knowledge, a growing comfort with tech, and a drive to make something happen.

That drive landed me a part-time position at a gardening wholesale company called Humboldt Wholesale. They were based right in Arcata, California—the same town where I had gone to school—and they needed someone in their marketing department to manage their website and handle various digital tasks.

I hadn’t formally studied web development. I didn’t have agency experience. But I’d built enough small coding projects to prove I could work with HTML, CSS, and WordPress. That was enough to get me in the door.

Wearing Every Hat in the Marketing Department

Once I got settled in, the scope of my role expanded quickly. I was brought in to manage Humboldt Wholesale’s main site, but I also took on their top-selling brand’s site—House & Garden Nutrients. From there, it snowballed.

I taught myself Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and along with guidance from the head of the marketing department, Sam Kagan, I was able to help with promotional materials. I learned how to prep files for print, how to design layouts for billboards and brochures, and how to help produce a full-blown magazine. I became a marketing Swiss Army knife—able to design, code, edit, and publish across multiple mediums.

It was a lot of work, but I loved it. It let me stretch my tech skills while learning how to support real-world business goals. For the first time, I wasn’t just experimenting—I was producing tangible results for an actual company. That validation meant a lot.

Then the Layoff Happened

Roughly a year and a half into the role, the ground shifted.

House & Garden, the brand I had been working closely with, was originally based in Holland. Due to changing regulations in the Netherlands, the company faced a tough decision: shut down or relocate. Humboldt Wholesale decided to buy the company and move operations to Arcata.

The acquisition stretched resources thin. Teams were restructured, budgets reallocated—and my position was cut.

I was laid off.

It was a gut punch. I had just started to feel like I was hitting my stride, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. But after the initial shock wore off, I realized something: I finally had the time and motivation to bet on myself.

The Idea That Changed Everything

In the months after my layoff, I kept thinking about the House & Garden product line. Their nutrients came in multiple components, each with its own dilution rate and growth stage use. Mixing them correctly involved a lot of math—and a lot of reliance on their desktop-only nutrient calculator.

That’s when it hit me: what if I built a mobile app version?

Most growers didn’t have reliable internet in their grow spaces, and the desktop tool was clunky on phones. A native app could solve both problems. I could make the calculator mobile-friendly, functional offline, and wrap it all in a sleek interface that simplified the user experience.

I started building it. I wasn’t a professional app developer, but I had learned enough from school, work, and self-teaching to figure it out. I kept things lean, tested constantly, and focused on solving a specific pain point I knew the user base had.

Pitch, Sell, Launch

Once I had a working prototype, I pitched it to Humboldt Wholesale.

To my surprise, they were interested. I walked them through the app, showed how it streamlined nutrient calculations for all stages of growth, and demonstrated how it could be a value-add for their customers. It worked offline, was easy to use, and gave growers everything they needed in the palm of their hand.

They agreed to further development—and eventually, I sold the app to them.

That project changed everything. It gave me something I could point to as proof of my skills. It showed that I could not only build something technical—but build something people needed.

Building Momentum

With the app under my belt, I started reaching out to other local businesses. One of my first new clients was The Minor Theatre—one of the oldest movie theaters in the country, also located in Arcata. A local businessman had just purchased the theatre, and they needed a website rebuild and ongoing management. I got the job.

That led to work with UpNorth Distribution, a cannabis distributor also based in Arcata. I helped them with web development and packaging design. Through those projects, I continued sharpening my skills, growing my network, and gaining confidence.

Eventually, my work caught the attention of larger agencies—including RSO—and soon I was contributing to projects for companies like Adobe.

It all traced back to one moment: getting laid off.

Next in the Series: Part 5 — Byte Jockeyz to Alkalyne: Building the Brand
In the final post of this series, I’ll share how my freelance identity evolved—from “Byte Jockeyz,” a reflection of my tech-meets-music roots, to Alkalyne Solutions, the business I run today.

source https://alkalyne.com/blog/laid-off-to-freelance-success/

5-Step SEO Audit Checklist for Small Business Websites

If you’re a small business owner or agency partner, you probably know that a lot rides on how well your website shows up in search. But let’s be real: SEO can feel a bit overwhelming—especially when Google’s algorithm seems to change every other week. After years working alongside small business teams and agency partners, I’ve noticed most sites get tripped up by the same handful of issues. That’s why I put together this simple, hands-on 5-step SEO audit checklist. No fluff, no jargon—just the steps that actually make a difference when you want to climb those local ranking pages.

1. Nail the Technical SEO Foundations

Let’s start with the plumbing. This part isn’t glamorous, but I can’t overstate its importance: technical site issues torpedo more small business rankings than anything else I see.

• Make sure Google is indexing your site: Sign in to Google Search Console, verify ownership, and check for crawl or index errors. Regularly spot-check by searching site:yourdomain.com in Google—if key pages are missing, that’s a red flag.
• Fix broken pages and links: Pages returning 404 errors (“not found”) or weird redirect chains waste Google’s time and block users. Most platforms offer simple tools to scan for these—the fewer errors, the healthier your site will be.
• Mobile matters more than ever: Nearly all web searches are done on mobile these days. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and be picky about how your homepage, navigation, and forms appear on a phone.
• Site speed: Load time directly impacts both rankings and sales. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights will highlight obvious wins like compressing images or minimizing third-party scripts. Aim for a load time under three seconds.
• Schema markup: Structured data (like reviews, events, or local business info) makes your listings stand out and gives Google better context. If you’re a local shop or service, make sure your LocalBusiness schema exists on your contact or home page. There’s no magic button here—an SEO specialist (hi!) can implement it right in your builder or CMS.

2. Audit On-Page Optimization Where It Counts

On-page SEO means making each page as findable and clickable as possible. Here’s my workflow for reviewing your content and metadata—because even the world’s best homepage isn’t going far if Google can’t tell what it’s about.

• Title tags: Use a unique, keyword-focused title for every page. For your home page, something simple like “Plumber in Springfield, IL | SpringFix Plumbing” gives Google the exact subject and target city. Keep it under 60 characters if possible.
• Meta descriptions: This is often your pitch in Google results. Write a compelling, action-oriented sentence including a primary keyword and your main call to action. For example: “Need a reliable Springfield plumber? SpringFix Plumbing offers fast, affordable repairs—call today!” Stay under 155 characters.
• Header structure (H1, H2, etc.): Each page should have one H1 heading with the page’s core keyword, plus H2s for subtopics. Ex: On a service page, your H1 might be “Water Heater Repair in Springfield” with H2s like “Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair”.
• Images and alt tags: Use original images when possible and describe them in alt text for accessibility and SEO. Something like “Friendly plumber repairing kitchen sink in Springfield home” is much stronger than “image1.jpg”.
• Internal links: Build natural pathways between your pages. For example, link from your homepage or about page to key services, blog posts, or local areas you serve. Good structure = more pages ranking!

3. Get Strategic About Keywords—and Know the Gaps

This step is all about understanding what people actually type into Google to find businesses like yours—and how you match up to similar sites.

• Review your primary keywords: Think like your customers: “best dentist near me”, “emergency HVAC repair Springfield”, “family lawyer in Anytown.” Your pages should target a mix of these local, specific keywords.
• Find the gaps: Use tools like Google Search Console or Ubersuggest to discover the keywords where you rank on page 2 or 3—these are low-hanging fruit. I always recommend focusing on phrases with clear search intent (like “affordable wedding photography Springfield” instead of just “photographer”).
• Avoid keyword stuffing—but don’t shy away from specificity: If you only talk about “plumbing” once, Google won’t see you as an authority. Naturally work your target keywords into critical locations: title, intro, a heading, and as part of your calls-to-action.
• Understand your competitors: Put their websites in Google and see what pops up in the titles/descriptions. There might be service areas, product categories, or questions you haven’t written about yet.

4. Review Content Quality and Backlink Profile

Content and backlinks: These are the two levers that keep moving the needle long after you’ve got your basics in order.

Content Health Checklist

• Update outdated info: Pages older than two years can quickly become irrelevant. Refresh service pages and double-check your blog posts for stats, links, pricing, or product details.
• Mind the gaps: If most of your pages are thin (under 800 words), expand them by answering common customer questions or adding testimonials and FAQs.
• Watch out for duplicate content: If your About page and homepage say almost the same thing, or if you copy-pasted service area pages, Google will see you as unoriginal—and drop your ranking accordingly.

Backlink Profile Audit

• Clean up toxic links: Backlinks from suspicious sites (especially those with a lot of ads or irrelevant info) can harm you. If you spot obvious spammy links, disavow them in Search Console.
• Seek local citations and industry mentions: Aim to get listed on reputable local business directories, chambers of commerce, and service/industry roundups. These help build trust for “near me” searches.
• Guest posts and expert quotes: Write a helpful guest article for a local news site or offer a quote for a nearby blogger—they’ll often link back to your website’s homepage or service page.

5. Commit to Continuous Monitoring (Don’t Set-and-Forget…)

This is the step most businesses skip—and it’s the reason sites fall behind even after a makeover. I treat SEO like my fitness habit: if I stop ~checking in~ for weeks on end, the results slip fast.

• Keyword rankings: Track a shortlist of your most valuable target keywords monthly. If you fall off the first page, dig into why: new competitors, content drifting off-topic, technical hiccups, or a missing internal link.
• Organic traffic trends: Use Google Analytics (GA4) to monitor how many people are landing on your most important pages—and how they found you. Sudden drops can signal issues with site health, algorithm changes, or lost backlinks.
• Backlink growth: Every few months, search for your brand name and see who’s mentioned you. Keep building relationships offline and online—sometimes one local PR win lands you on a high-authority newspaper’s website.
• Schedule SEO check-ins: Just two hours each month can help catch issues before they snowball. Create a recurring calendar event for a quick review session.

Bringing It All Together

Handling SEO as a small business owner—or even for a handful of agency clients—shouldn’t mean endless confusion or guesswork. When you follow these core five audit steps, you not only stay on Google’s good side, but you start building real, sustainable growth month after month. Whether you want to do it all yourself or partner with a pro like me to take the pressure off, this checklist will have you moving with confidence.

If you have questions, want help implementing your own audit, or need hands-on support for your website and rankings, feel free to get in touch here. I’m always happy to help small business owners and agencies turn their digital headache into results you can actually see.

source https://alkalyne.com/blog/5-step-seo-audit-checklist-for-small-business-websites/