Methodology

The RankMyLocal Method: diagnose first, fix what matters, then improve over time

A transparent 6-step process for Google Maps and local SEO. No jargon, no ranking guarantees, no 60-item to-do list with no priority order.

Why most local visibility work fails

  • • Random GBP posting with no plan or measurement.
  • • Wrong primary category — the single biggest GBP lever, almost always misconfigured.
  • • No review strategy: reviews arrive when they arrive, not as a system.
  • • A website that ranks fine but converts badly on mobile.
  • • No tracking, so wins and losses are invisible.
  • • No priority order — everything is "important" and nothing gets done.

Our 6-step method

01

Discover

We learn your business, market, location, customer type, the lead routes you already have, and where the next 10 customers realistically come from.

02

Diagnose

We audit your Google Business Profile, website, reviews, citations, tracking, and the top 3 competitors in your area. Findings come back as a written report, not a sales pitch.

03

Prioritise

We rank every issue by impact-to-effort so you know what to fix this week, this month, and what can wait. No 60-item to-do list with no order.

04

Fix

We update categories, services, photos, posts, the website, schema and tracking — in the order that moves the needle. You see every change before it goes live.

05

Measure

We watch the metrics that map to revenue: calls, direction requests, form fills, WhatsApp clicks and Map Pack positions for your priority queries — not vanity impressions.

06

Improve

We layer in reviews, posts, new landing pages, and (when ready) paid ads. Local visibility compounds — month 3 should outperform month 1 by a clear margin.

What we can control

  • • GBP completeness, categories, services and attributes
  • • Photos, posts and Q&A cadence
  • • A repeatable review request system
  • • Local landing pages and on-page SEO
  • • Website conversion (mobile speed, CTAs, WhatsApp)
  • • Conversion tracking in GA4
  • • Google Ads campaign setup and structure

What we cannot guarantee

  • • Exact Map Pack positions on any given day
  • • Exact lead volume — depends on demand and pricing
  • • Competitor activity (new listings, ad spend, reviews)
  • • Google algorithm updates
  • • Customer behaviour once they reach your business

Any agency claiming "guaranteed #1 on Google" is selling certainty no one can sell. Results vary.

Who this method is for

UK local businesses that depend on nearby customers finding them on Google: restaurants, garages, trades, clinics, beauty, dentists, solicitors, accountants, gyms, and other appointment- or call-led service businesses.

Method FAQ

Why diagnose before recommending a package?+

Because the highest-impact fix is different for every business. A restaurant usually needs photos and categories. A roofer usually needs service-area definition and reviews. Recommending a package without an audit is guesswork.

How long does each step take?+

Discover and diagnose: 24–48 hours. Prioritise: same day as diagnosis. Fix: 1–4 weeks depending on package. Measure and improve: ongoing if you choose a retainer.

Do you guarantee rankings?+

No, and any agency that does is misleading you. Google's algorithm is not deterministic and competitor activity changes constantly. We guarantee the work, the timeline and a transparent report — not exact positions.

What if I only need step 2 (the audit)?+

That is exactly what the free audit is. No obligation to take any further work.

Start with step 2: a free diagnosis

Free human-reviewed audit of your Google Business Profile within 24–48 hours. No card, no obligation.

Get my free audit
Free audit24–48h turnaround
Get My Free Audit