At Digilari Media, we understand that for Australian businesses, visibility in local search isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you operate in Brisbane, Melbourne, or rural New South Wales, your potential customers are searching online before they visit or buy. This guide combines industry insights and proven Digilari methodologies to help you dominate local search rankings, attract qualified leads, and grow sustainably.
1. Conduct a Local Keyword & AI Prompt Audit
Begin with identifying the keywords, search phrases, and conversational prompts your customers use. As AI-driven search evolves, understanding intent across traditional and AI queries (e.g., Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT responses) is vital.
Digilari Tip:
Focus on transactional keywords that convert (e.g., “emergency plumber Brisbane”) and conversational prompts (e.g., “Who’s the best-rated plumber near me?”). Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to assess competitiveness and search volume.
2. Perform a Comprehensive Website Audi
A local SEO strategy begins with a technically sound website. Audit your site to ensure optimal crawlability, mobile usability, and on-page optimisation.
Checklist:
- Ensure fast mobile loading speeds (Core Web Vitals).
- Optimise title tags, meta descriptions, and headers with local keywords.
- Include location pages for each service area (e.g., Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast).
- Use structured data (schema markup) for LocalBusiness, Services, and Reviews.
Digilari Tip:
Avoid heavy JavaScript dependencies that limit visibility in AI search crawlers. Prioritise clean HTML for better indexing.
3. Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your digital shopfront. An optimised GBP can dramatically increase visibility in Google Maps and AI Mode.
GBP Essentials:
- Accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across all listings.
- Choose the correct business category and subcategories.
- Add photos, videos, posts, offers, and FAQs regularly.
- Encourage and respond to customer reviews promptly.
Digilari Tip:
Leverage Google’s booking or appointment features to turn searches into conversions directly within the search results.
4. Manage and Monitor Reviews
Customer reviews drive both reputation and ranking. Google and AI algorithms use sentiment signals from reviews to determine local authority.
Best Practices:
- Request reviews from happy clients using follow-up emails or SMS.
- Respond to every review professionally — even negative ones.
- Identify trends in feedback to improve service delivery.
Digilari Tip:
Incorporate keywords naturally when replying to reviews (“Thanks for choosing our Brisbane plumbing team!”) to reinforce local relevance.
5. Audit Local Citations and Directories
Citations help Google verify your business legitimacy and location accuracy.
Action Steps:
- Ensure NAP consistency across major directories like Yellow Pages, True Local, Apple Maps, and Yelp.
- Remove duplicate or outdated listings.
- Seek inclusion in industry-specific and regional directories (e.g., Master Builders QLD, local Chambers of Commerce).
Digilari Tip:
Mentions of your brand without links (“unlinked citations”) still influence AI-driven visibility. Monitor mentions using Ahrefs Alerts or Google Alerts.
6. Build High-Quality Local Backlinks
Local backlinks from reputable, geographically relevant websites enhance authority.
Effective Strategies:
- Partner with local organisations, charities, or events.
- Sponsor community initiatives.
- Collaborate on guest articles with local publications.
Digilari Tip:
Audit competitor backlinks to identify untapped link opportunities using tools like SEMrush or AHREFs.
7. Create Localised Content That Converts
Develop content that addresses local search intent across all stages of the buyer journey.
Content Framework:
- Informational: Blog posts, how-to guides, FAQs.
- Transactional: Service pages, testimonials, and offers.
- Navigational: Contact and About pages with local trust signals.
- Commercial: Promotions, limited-time deals, or seasonal campaigns.
Digilari Tip:
Use AI-friendly formatting — question-answer sections, structured headings, and clear CTAs to align with Google’s AI Overviews and voice search.
8. Review Google Search Console & Analytics Data
Analyse data to refine your SEO strategy:
- Identify high-performing keywords and pages.
- Track traffic from AI-driven sources.
- Fix indexing and crawl errors.
Digilari Tip:
Review your “Queries” and “Pages” reports quarterly to identify content opportunities based on user behaviour.
9. Conduct Competitor Benchmarking
Identify and learn from businesses outranking you in local and AI searches.
Steps:
- Audit competitors’ GBPs, backlinks, and content strategies.
- Assess how they handle local intent, reviews, and structured data.
Digilari Tip:
Go beyond copying — outperform by providing a superior online experience and content depth.
10. Optimise for AI Search & Voice
AI Mode and voice search are reshaping local visibility.
Key Focus Areas:
- Use conversational language in content and FAQs.
- Implement schema markup for structured Q&A content.
- Test AI Mode snippets regularly to understand how your business appears in Google’s AI results.
Digilari Tip:
Optimise for both AI Overviews and Maps Pack — they are now interconnected in user journeys.
11. Prioritise and Review Regularly
A local SEO strategy isn’t a one-off task — it’s an ongoing process. Review and refine your efforts every 6–12 months to maintain competitive edge.
Digilari Tip:
Start with opportunities where you already have traction (ranking in positions 5–10) and optimise those pages first for faster ROI.
Final Thoughts
At Digilari Media, we approach local SEO as part of a holistic digital ecosystem — aligning it with Google Ads, content strategy, and conversion rate optimisation. The goal isn’t just to rank higher, but to drive measurable business growth through local relevance, visibility, and trust.
Ready to dominate your local market?
Contact Digilari Media today to get your Local SEO Audit & Strategy Plan tailored to your industry and region.
