If you’ve ever wondered what the best local SEO software for small businesses is, you’re in the right place. We get asked this question all the time, so I wanted to break it down and give you the best options available today.
I’ll go over two of the most well-known choices in the industry, and then I’ll introduce you to my personal favorite (spoiler alert: it’s something I built, and there’s a reason it’s taking off fast!). So, let’s dive in!
Why most "Best Local SEO Software" lists are wrong is because if you search for "best local SEO software for SMBs," you’ll probably come across a bunch of analytics tools.
The problem? Most of these tools don’t help you rank higher on Google Maps. They’re great for data, but they won’t do the heavy lifting when it comes to optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) and getting more visibility.
If ranking higher and getting more leads is your goal, you need software that actually helps manage and improve your GBP.
That’s why I’m covering these three options instead. If you want, you can watch our video here where I cover this in detail
Local Viking: The OG of Google Business Profile Management
Local Viking has been in the game for a while, and if you’ve been in local SEO, you’ve probably heard of it. I’ve personally used it in my agency, so I can vouch for its capabilities. Local Viking is a Google My Business management software that makes it possible to schedule GMB Posts, track local pack rankings, upload photos, and manage reviews – all from a single dashboard.
Key Features:
- Geogrids (Heat Maps): This lets you see how well your business ranks across different areas.
- Google Post Scheduling: You can write posts and schedule them for publication (though it's manual).
- Review Management: Displays all your Google reviews in one place so you can respond.
- Photo Uploading: Allows you to upload photos directly to your GBP.
- White Labeling: If you’re an agency, you can brand it as your own.
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month for one Google Business Profile, plus extra fees for more heat map credits. As you manage more profiles, the price per profile decreases, but heat map credits can add up quickly.
Bottom Line: Great if you want a hands-on tool with strong reporting features. However, it’s not very automated—you or a VA will still need to do the work.
Pros:
- Strong reporting with heat maps
- White-label options for agencies
- Good review management tools
Cons:
- Requires manual work
- Heat map credits can get expensive
- No automation for Google posts
BrightLocal: The Citation Powerhouse
BrightLocal is another big player in the local SEO space, and while I haven't personally used it, I know a lot of agencies that do. Brightlocal is a web-based SEO tool that provides various tools for local search marketing. It offers a range of tools to help you track your local rankings, improve your SEO, manage your online reputation, and build citations.
Key Features:
- Citation Builder: Unlike Yext, BrightLocal allows you to pick directories manually and even gives you login credentials for them.
- Geogrid (Heat Maps): Like Local Viking, BrightLocal provides ranking reports across different locations.
- Google Post Scheduling: Allows you to post to your GBP, but again, it requires manual input.
- Review Management: Let's you monitor and respond to reviews.
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month, with higher tiers at $59 per month for more features like review management.
Bottom Line: Good for citation building and reporting but, like Local Viking, requires manual work to optimize your GBP.
Pros:
- Strong citation-building tool
- Good reporting features
- White-labeling for agencies
Cons:
- Manual work required for posting and GBP optimization
- Limited automation
- Can get costly as you scale up
Paige by Merchynt: The Fully Automated Local SEO Solution
Now, let’s talk about my favorite—and yes, it’s something I built. We launched Paige by Merchynt, and within seven months, it managed over 2,000 businesses purely by word of mouth.
Why? Because it automates everything.
What makes Paige different? Unlike Local Viking and BrightLocal, Paige actually works for you. You don’t need a VA or a contractor—it’s like hiring a full-time marketing assistant that never takes a day off.
Key Features:
- Full GBP Automation: Writes, schedules, and publishes Google posts automatically.
- Review Management: Gets more reviews, replies to them, and flags bad ones.
- Image Optimization: Drips optimized images onto your GBP for better engagement.
- Google Business Profile Audit: Optimizes your profile in just 2 minutes.
- Heat Maps & Reporting: Tracks rankings just like Local Viking and BrightLocal.
- Citation Management: Distributes your business info to directories automatically.
- Social Media Scheduler: Posts to Google, Facebook, and Instagram all at once.
- Content Embed Tools: Displays recent posts and reviews on your website.
- Automated Video Creation: Turns uploaded images into SEO-boosting videos.
- White Label: Paige can be white labelled by marketing agencies.
Pricing: Unlike the others, Paige doesn’t charge for heat map credits or require manual input—everything runs on autopilot. Pricing is structured to offer full automation at a competitive rate.
Bottom Line: If you want the most hands-off, results-driven local SEO tool that actually helps you rank higher, Paige is the clear winner.
Try it out with a 3-day trial for only $1 and see how it can transform your business.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?
- If you want a solid DIY tool with reporting, go with Local Viking.
- If you need citation building and local SEO insights, try BrightLocal.
- If you want full automation that handles everything for you, Paige by Merchynt is the best option hands down.
No matter which one you pick, focusing on your Google Business Profile is key to getting more local leads. Hope this breakdown helps— and you found this useful.
Thanks, and I’ll see you in the next one.
