What is one tip for small businesses to boost their local SEO?

I wrote this short response to a HARO query yesterday but missed the deadline. Rather than letting it go to waste, I said I'd pop it up here on LinkedIn.

Creating a Google My Business account might seem like a boring answer, but it really is the most important step you can take to improve your local SEO as a small business. Given the pervasiveness of Google and Google Maps, for certain businesses a Google My Business account is arguably more important than a website. When you set up a GMB account, ensure that you:?

• Verify ownership of the business?
• Provide accurate and up-to-date information including your website URL and NAP (Name, Address and Phone Number) which is consistent with the NAP on your website and elsewhere online
• Include your logo, hours of operation, acceptable payment methods, the product or service you sell, and plenty of images?

Depending on your niche and the level of competition, just having a Google My Business account will not necessarily guarantee you impressions and traffic. To improve your chances of ranking in the “Local Pack” - you should also follow these two tips:

1. Get regular reviews from happy customers

Positive reviews will signal to Google that your business is reputable and trustworthy and improve your chances of ranking in the Local Pack. Some ideas for generating positive reviews:

• Ask for a review in person after the close of a sale?
• Send a post-purchase email or text asking customers to write a review (but only after you've screened them via an internal survey to ensure you're not approaching dissatisfied customers)?
• Respond to existing reviews in a professional way, thanking reviewers and addressing complaints in not-so-favorable reviews - DON’T BE RUDE

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2. Focus on building quality links to your website

Link signals are still very influential factors for local pack results and for localized organic results, respectively. Here are some tips on getting high-quality backlinks:

• Create high-quality content on your site so others want to link to your content?
• Engage with local influencers on social media or by email to get them to link back to you
• Create listings in relevant local and national directories
• Sponsor or partner with relevant local events / exhibitions