Empowering local businesses to be self-reliant is part of the Lakeshore Local SEO mission. Many of the images and links on this page (and website) are affiliate links, which means the agency earns a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click to buy the linked software. Affiliate links are identified wherever they appear on the site. You can always identify affiliate links by hovering your cursor over them; they begin with lakeshorelocalseo.biz/recommends/.
Local SEO Management Tools
These platforms all provide a comprehensive yet affordable way to manage your local search presence. Perfect both for agencies (we use BrightLocal) and ambitious local businesses wanting to manage themselves. Features include: local rank and competitor tracking, review management, citations management, audit tools, local search grids, AI/automated posting to Google Business Profile, and much more.
Local SEO Browser Extensions
Add these extensions to Chrome or Edge and dig deep inside your local search presence with all kinds of valuable tools, insights and capabilities–without leaving your browser window. Both have free and paid versions.
SEO Plugins (WordPress)
If you have a WordPress website, then a comprehensive SEO plugin is a must for easy-to-read access to your most important search data. AIOSEO, RankMath, and Yoast all pull from Google Search Console (below) to show how your site is getting found. MonsterInsights displays your GA4 data to show how it’s getting used. All have basic free versions and require paid upgrades for local search features.
Free Google Tools
Set these up with a free Google account, then connect them to your website.
Google Business Profile (essential for local SEO)
Google Search Console (essential for all SEO)
Google Analytics 4 (essential for all SEO)
Google Site Kit (optional WordPress plugin for connecting GSC, GA4, and Google Ads)
Local SEO Education
All the Local SEO Management tools above have outstanding educational newsletters and offer free webinars and other resources. But it would be wrong to omit this Canada-based local SEO agency from a list of the best educational resources available.
Full SEO Platforms
These are built for professionals, agencies (we use SE Ranking), and in-house marketers or teams. All have add-on local search modules for an add-on cost. The modules are not bad for bringing your local digital marketing under the same roof as the rest of it. But if local search is your focus, and managing it is your priority, the Local SEO Management platforms above offer a broader and more powerful set of tools.
Websites
Your website shouldn’t be a static place. It’s there for engagement and conversion as well as information.
Adds social sharing links to your posts and pages.
Collect email addresses and visitor information with hundreds of conversion-optimized forms.
Reliable website hosting and a range of SEO and maintenance options.
Our Local (and other) Partners
Lakeshore Local SEO works with a network of agencies, specialists, and local partners to provide the best in local business-focused marketing services. Here are some of those we work with and highly recommend.
Local Business Websites
Lonny Foster (WordPress websites)
Liquid Form Design (Squarespace websites; specializes in working with female entrepreneurs)
Small Business Coaching
MarketingU (Lisa Cain)
Take Wing Coaching (Gail & Cory Nott)
Business Management Platforms
CRM Consultation
The Healthy Data Guy (Brandon Drake)
Video (San Francisco Bay Area)
Wide Angle Media (Dave Kersten)