Local SEO Hygiene for Small Businesses: Clean Structure, Simple Schema, Real Trust
Most small businesses do not lose local rankings because they picked the “wrong keywords.” They lose because their website (and online footprint) tells multiple versions of the truth. Google is basically a skeptical bouncer. If your ID looks inconsistent, old number here, different suite number there, duplicate pages that all claim to be “the” location, you do not get kicked out. You just do not get let in as often. This guide covers the technical hygiene that removes ambiguity and builds trust, without turning into a massive dev project. TL;DR (The Boring Stuff That Actually Wins) Standardize one official NAP (Name, Address, Phone) everywhere on-site. Use a site structure that matches reality: one location, multi-location, or service-area. Do not cosplay as all three. Make sure key local pages are…

