Running a business in Atlantic Canada—whether in Halifax, Moncton, Charlottetown, or St. John’s—means you’re competing not only with local companies but also with national and global brands. The good news? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) levels the playing field. With the right strategy, even small businesses can dominate local search and attract the right customers.
Here’s a 10-step SEO checklist every Atlantic Canadian business should follow to stay competitive and visible online.
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is essential for local SEO. Make sure it’s complete with accurate contact info, hours, photos, and services. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews—these directly influence your visibility in local search results.
2. Research Local Keywords
Don’t just focus on broad terms like “digital marketing.” Instead, use location-based keywords such as “Halifax marketing agency” or “Charlottetown web design.” Tools like Ubersuggest and Google Keyword Planner can help identify high-value search terms.
3. Audit Your Website
Run a site audit to catch technical issues like broken links, slow load speeds, or missing meta tags. Tools such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider or SEMRush are perfect for this.
4. Improve Site Speed
A slow website hurts both rankings and user experience. Compress images, use a fast hosting provider, and enable caching. Aim for a load time under 3 seconds.
5. Optimize On-Page SEO
Each page should have:
- A keyword-rich title tag
- A compelling meta description
- Clear H1 and H2 headings
- Internal links to relevant pages
- Optimized images with alt text
6. Build Quality Local Backlinks
Partner with local organizations, directories, and media outlets to earn backlinks. For example, a bakery in Moncton could get featured in a local food blog or Chamber of Commerce directory.
7. Create Valuable Content
Regularly publish blog posts, guides, or case studies targeting your audience.
For example:
- “Top 5 Wedding Venues in Halifax” (for event businesses)
- “How PEI Businesses Can Leverage Social Media” (for marketing companies)
8. Ensure Mobile-Friendliness
With most users searching on mobile devices, your website must be responsive. Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing, so a mobile-friendly design is non-negotiable.
9. Track and Measure Results
Use Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console to monitor performance. Track keyword rankings, page visits, and conversions to refine your SEO strategy.
10. Stay Consistent
SEO is not a one-time task. Regular updates, monitoring, and adjustments are what keep you ahead of competitors. Treat SEO as a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
Final Thoughts
Atlantic Canadian businesses have an incredible opportunity to grow their visibility online with the right SEO strategy. By following this 10-step checklist, you’ll build a strong digital foundation that attracts customers, improves rankings, and keeps your business competitive in today’s market.
Looking to take your SEO to the next level? At Brand Butter Marketing, we help businesses across Atlantic Canada grow their online presence with proven SEO strategies.
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Contact us today to start optimizing your business!
