Local SEO checklist for Cairns businesses (free, actionable)

You don't need to hire an SEO agency at A$2 000/month to climb Google Cairns. Here's a practical 10-step checklist anyone can follow.

1 — Claim and verify your Google Business Profile

Go to google.com/business. Verify by postcard (5-10 days in Australia). Non-negotiable first step.

2 — Add 10+ real photos to your GBP

Logo, premises, team, work in progress, results. Avoid stock photos — Google can tell.

3 — Write a keyword-rich GBP description

Mention « Cairns », « Far North Queensland », your suburb, your specialty. Natural, not stuffed.

4 — Get 10 reviews in 30 days

Text every recent customer with a direct review link. Aim for 1 new review per 3 days.

5 — Reply to every review (positive AND negative)

Google reads engagement as a quality signal.

6 — List your business on True Local, Yellow Pages, Hotfrog AU, StartLocal

All free. Each listing is a backlink.

7 — Make sure your name, address, phone are IDENTICAL everywhere

Google cross-checks. « 12 Smith St » on your site and « 12 Smith Street » on Yelp = penalty.

8 — Embed a Google Map on your contact page

Direct positive ranking signal.

9 — Build one page per service / per suburb

« Plumber Edge Hill », « Plumber Smithfield », « Plumber Trinity Beach » — each as a separate page on your site.

10 — Post on your GBP weekly

5 minutes a week. Massive long-term effect.