SEO Brainerd MN: What Local Businesses Should Tackle First

Are you a Brainerd business struggling to get found online? The reason might be simple: without proper local SEO, customers searching in your area are unable to find you.

www.mattersolutions.com has been helping businesses with SEO strategies since 2000. So we kind of know how you can make your business stand out in search results.

And we must confess, many business owners tell us they’re overwhelmed by too many contradictory online SEO tips. That’s why we decided to bring the solution to the matter (get it?) into our hands. 

This article gives a clear breakdown of what Brainerd businesses should tackle first, with steps that have a real impact on local search rankings. We’ll start with the basics.

Local SEO Basics Every Brainerd Business Needs Right Now

It’s concerning that most Brainerd businesses skip a few simple steps and wonder why customers can’t find them.

These three simple steps will help your business show up when people search for services like yours.

Start with Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the most important thing you can set up for your business. Think of it as your free listing that shows up on Google Maps and search results.

• NAP consistency: Start by making sure your business name, address, and phone number are exactly the same everywhere online. Even small differences like “St.” versus “Street” can confuse Google.

• Choose the right categories: Choosing the right business category makes it easier for Google to connect you with people looking for your services. It helps your business appear in relevant searches.
  
• Add photos, hours, and services: Lastly, pair that with clear service listings, updated hours, and quality photos, and you’ll often see a bump in visibility within just a few weeks.

These steps to setting up your Google Business Profile only take a few hours, and you’ll usually see results in just a few weeks.

Add Local Trust Signals

Once your Google profile is set, listings on other sites act as references that prove your business is real and trustworthy. The most important places to get listed are Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and Bing Places. We found studies that show 94% of people use these directories to find local businesses.

Reviews are also equally important for building trust. So try to respond to every review within a week, whether it’s good or bad.

Optimize Your On-Page SEO

Now, your website also needs to speak Google’s language, which means including your location in the right places. There are two things you can do:

• Local Keywords: Include your city name in page titles and descriptions naturally. For example, “Brainerd Web Design” works much better than just “Web Design” for local searches.

• Footer Details: A footer with your business info keeps key details front and center. It also helps Google see your location as accurate and reliable.

These small updates send the right signals to Google and make it simpler for local customers to reach you.

Now you’re all set to create content that connects with your local community. 

Content Marketing Strategy That Makes You Rank in Brainerd

Creating content that connects with your local community is where most businesses see the biggest wins. It’s not enough to just write blog posts. Here’s what you need to focus on to get results.

Why Local Content Builds Authority

This is the first thing you need to understand. Google has gotten really smart about showing people results that are truly relevant to what they need, so location-relevant content naturally gets priority in local search.

Think about it this way. When you write about topics that Brainerd residents genuinely care about, you’re doing two important things at once. First, you’re helping with your SEO rankings. But more importantly, you’re building real relationships with people in your community.

Over time, this local focus shows Google that your business truly understands the area, helping you rank higher when people in Brainerd search for services like yours.

What to Write About

So what should you actually write about? You can start by thinking about the conversations your customers have with you every day. What problems do they face? What questions do they ask?

Seasonal changes work especially well for Minnesota businesses. Articles like “Preparing Your Home for Brainerd Winters” or “Best Local Events This Fall” connect with what people are already thinking about.

Don’t forget about customer stories either. When you share how you helped a real Brainerd family or business, potential customers can easily imagine themselves in that same situation.

Your 3‑Step Local SEO Starter Plan

Everything we’ve discussed so far works really well, but we know they can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to run a business, too. So we’ve put together this simple action plan that breaks everything down into manageable steps you can complete.

Step 1: Optimize Your Google Profile

Your Google Business Profile should be your first stop because it gives you the most control over how you appear in local searches. Unlike other SEO work that takes months to pay off, you can update your profile today and start seeing results within just a few weeks.

What makes this step so effective, by the way? Well, you can complete every section of your profile right now: add photos of your business, update your hours, list your services, and write a description that naturally mentions “digital marketing Brainerd” or whatever your main services are.

Step 2: Publish Your First Local Blog

Once your Google profile is looking good, it’s time to create content that really connects you to the Brainerd community. This is where you show Google that you understand the local market better than your competitors.

You can begin by writing about something hyperlocal that your potential customers actually care about. Something like “5 Marketing Challenges Brainerd Businesses Face This Winter” works perfectly because it speaks directly to local concerns.

Make sure to use long-tail keywords that include your location naturally throughout the post. Also, don’t forget to link back to your service pages and Google Business Profile from within the article. This helps Google understand how all your content connects together.

Step 3: Earn a Local Backlink

Now you’re ready for the final step: getting other local websites to link back to yours. The easiest way to do this is by joining the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce or setting up a collaboration with another local business.

These backlinks from trusted local organizations carry serious weight with Google because they prove you’re a real part of the community. Sure, a Chamber membership might cost $200–$500 a year, but if you’ve got the budget, the SEO boost and local credibility make it worth every cent.

Even smaller collaborations can work great as well. You can partner with a nearby business on a project or event, and often end up with a valuable link from their website.

Why This Order Matters

This sequence is designed to maximize your return on investment by building momentum step by step. Your optimized Google profile makes your blog content more discoverable, and that local content makes any backlinks you earn even more valuable.

Consistency Beats Complexity in Local SEO

Here’s our last advice of the day: once you start implementing these strategies, you can’t afford to stop. Sticking with them consistently is far more important than doing everything perfectly.

Yes, it’s tempting to chase every new SEO tactic you read about online. But when you try to do too much at once, you risk burning out and doing everything poorly. Instead, focus on the high-impact actions we’ve covered that you can stick with long-term. 

If managing all this feels overwhelming while running your business, consider partnering with a digital marketing agency like Matter Solutions that understands the local market.