If you’re a Mackay business owner, chances are you’ve got a heart for serving your community — but is your online presence showing up where it matters?
Local SEO is one of the most powerful (and underused) ways to get your business seen by people right here in Mackay. Whether you’re a tradie, a wellness professional, or a service provider, ranking well in local search results helps the right people find you — when they’re ready to buy.
And the good news? Improving your local SEO doesn’t need to be expensive or confusing.
Here’s your easy, no-fluff guide to doing it right.
Get Your Google Business Profile Sorted
If you take nothing else from this article, take this: your Google Business Profile (GBP) is critical for local SEO. It’s the listing that shows up on Google Maps and local search results.
Here’s how to make it shine:
- Make sure your name, address and phone number are correct and consistent
- Add high-quality photos of your team, space or products
- Choose the right business categories
- Write a clear, keyword-friendly description
- Regularly post updates and offers
- Ask happy customers for reviews — and reply to them with care
This one step alone can move you to the top of the local pack.
Use the Right Local Keywords
This doesn’t mean stuffing “Mackay” into every sentence, but it does mean using phrases that your ideal clients are already typing into Google.
Examples:
- “Best family lawyer in Mackay”
- “SEO consultant Northern Beaches QLD”
- “Marketing agency near Mount Pleasant”
Where to place those keywords:
- Page titles
- Meta descriptions
- Headings
- First 100 words of your content
- Image alt text
- Page URLs (where possible)
Keep it natural — write like a human, not a robot.
Create Location-Focused Content
Your website should make it crystal clear who you serve and where you serve them.
Great ways to do this:
- Add website pages that highlight the services you offer in specific suburbs or areas, like “Social Media Strategy for Mackay Businesses.”
- Write blog posts about local topics and events
- Highlight partnerships or community work
- Include testimonials from clients in Mackay or nearby
Google loves to connect the dots. The more you mention your location in a useful way, the better you’ll rank.
Keep Your Site Fast and Mobile-Friendly
Local searches usually happen on the go — and Google knows it. If your website is slow or clunky on a phone, you’re losing both search rankings and potential clients.
Here’s how to check:
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test your site
- Compress large images
- Avoid unnecessary plugins or scripts
- Make sure buttons and links are easy to tap on mobile
Think of your website like your shopfront — it should be welcoming, clean, and easy to navigate.
Collect Reviews (And Respond Kindly)
Reviews aren’t just for restaurants — they matter for every local business.
Why? Because:
- They build trust with potential customers
- They influence your Google ranking
- They show you care about feedback
Best practice:
- Ask at the right time (after a win, successful service, or kind compliment)
- Make it easy (send a direct link to your Google review page)
- Always respond — whether the review is glowing or constructive
Pro tip: use words in your responses like “Mackay,” your services, and key features. It helps with visibility and trust.
Bonus: Get Local Backlinks
Google also looks at who is linking to your site. Local backlinks show that you’re part of the Mackay business community.
Easy ways to do this:
- Join local directories (Mackay Chamber of Commerce, industry lists)
- Collaborate with other local businesses and link to each other
- Sponsor a local event or charity and request a website mention
Backlinks are like digital word-of-mouth — they tell Google you’re legit.
Need Help Putting This Into Action?
We get it — even when it’s “simple,” it can still feel like a lot. That’s where we come in.
At Serve Strategic Marketing, we specialise in supporting local Mackay businesses with SEO that’s clear, kind, and customised. No tech overwhelm. No gimmicks. Just real support from real people who want to see you grow.
📞 Book your free Strategy Session today
Let’s get your business showing up and shining online, right here in Mackay.
Insider Tip from Kristin + Peter:
Keep your Google Business Profile active — post updates, add photos, and reply to reviews. Google loves fresh content, and it helps you stay top of mind with your audience.
