If you run a business in Burnaby or anywhere in British Columbia, this is your go-to SEO checklist for 2025. Whether you’re doing SEO in-house or hiring a team, these are the fundamentals every local business needs to cover.
Let’s break it down into technical, on-page, content, and local SEO categories.
Technical SEO Checklist
These are the behind-the-scenes elements that help Google crawl, index, and rank your site properly.
1. Make Sure Your Site Loads Fast
Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test your site. Aim for load times under 3 seconds.
2. Mobile Optimization Is Non-Negotiable
Most local searches happen on mobile. Your site should be fully responsive and easy to navigate on all devices.
3. Set Up an XML Sitemap and robots.txt
Make it easier for search engines to find and index your content. Most CMS platforms like WordPress offer plugins to automate this.
4. Use HTTPS
If your site still uses HTTP, switch to HTTPS now. It’s a ranking factor and a trust signal.
On-Page SEO Checklist
On-page SEO helps Google understand what your content is about — and who it’s for.
5. Optimize Your Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Every page should have a unique title (under 60 characters) and a compelling meta description (under 160 characters).
6. Use Proper Header Tags (H1, H2, H3…)
Use only one H1 per page. Use H2s and H3s to structure content for readability.
7. Include Your Target Keyword Early
Try to include the primary keyword in the first 100 words of your page or blog post.
8. Add Internal Links
Link relevant service and location pages together. This improves crawlability and site structure.
Content SEO Checklist
High-quality, keyword-rich content builds topical authority and keeps users engaged.
9. Write for Humans First, Then Google
Make your content easy to read, skimmable, and helpful. Avoid keyword stuffing.
10. Publish Location-Specific Pages
If you serve multiple cities like Richmond or Coquitlam, create individual service pages for each.
11. Blog Regularly
Publish SEO-focused blog content like this one. Aim for 1–2 quality posts per month.
12. Use Alt Text for All Images
Describe images in alt text using natural language and (when appropriate) a keyword.
Local SEO Checklist
Local SEO ensures you show up when nearby customers search for what you offer.
13. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Claim, verify, and fully complete your Google Business Profile. Add:
- Services
- Service areas
- Business hours
- Photos
- Posts and Q&A
14. Consistent NAP Across Listings
Make sure your Name, Address, Phone Number is consistent across all online directories (Yelp, BBB, YellowPages, etc.).
15. Encourage Online Reviews
Ask happy customers to leave reviews — and always respond to them (even the bad ones).
16. Add Local Schema Markup
Structured data helps Google understand your business and show rich results.
Bonus: What to Avoid in 2025
- Buying spammy backlinks
- Copying content from other sites
- Using exact-match domains like “bestplumberburnaby2025.com”
- Ignoring analytics and tracking
Tools We Recommend
- Ahrefs / SEMrush – Keyword and backlink research
- Google Search Console – Performance tracking
- Screaming Frog – Technical audits
- Surfer SEO – Content optimization
Recap: The 16-Point SEO Checklist
Here’s a quick summary:
Technical SEO
- Fast site speed
- Mobile-friendly design
- Sitemap + robots.txt
- HTTPS
On-Page SEO
5. Optimized metadata
6. Header structure
7. Keyword placement
8. Internal links
Content SEO
9. Human-friendly writing
10. Location pages
11. Blogging
12. Alt text
Local SEO
13. Google Business Profile
14. NAP consistency
15. Reviews
16. Schema
Want Help Implementing This SEO Checklist?
Burnaby SEO helps small businesses across BC rank higher and grow smarter — without confusing retainers or outsourced fluff. We’ll audit your site and walk you through the next steps.