You’ve optimized your profiles. Your content is strong. But customers still aren’t finding you as easily as they should.
Local discovery isn’t just about doing one thing right. It’s about doing fifteen small things consistently that compound into major visibility. Each item on this checklist represents an opportunity to make your business more findable.
This isn’t theory. This is the practical checklist that helps Brunei businesses show up when customers are actively searching. Work through this systematically, and watch your discoverability transform.
The Foundation Layer: Profile Completeness
1. Claim Every Platform Where Your Customers Search
Why it matters: Different Brunei demographics use different platforms for discovery.
Action steps:
- Claim your Google Business Profile if you haven’t already
- Set up Instagram and Facebook business pages
- Create a WhatsApp Business account with complete profile
- Consider TikTok if your audience skews younger
- List on relevant directories (Brunei Yellow Pages, local business directories)
How to check: Google your business name. What shows up? Are you on the first page? Are all your active platforms showing correctly?
2. Complete Every Profile Field to 100%
Why it matters: Incomplete profiles rank lower in search. Algorithms prioritize businesses that provide comprehensive information.
Action steps:
- Fill every field available: business name, category, description, hours, phone, email, website, payment methods
- Add your services or products list where platforms allow it
- Include parking info, accessibility features, and any other available options
How to check: Go to your profile settings on each platform. Any blank fields? Fill them today.
3. Maintain NAP Consistency Across All Platforms
Why it matters: Search algorithms look for consistent business information. Variations confuse them and hurt your rankings.
Action steps:
- Write down your official Name, Address, and Phone number exactly as you want them everywhere
- Audit every platform and make them identical
- Use the same formatting: if Google says “Unit 5, Block A, Simpang 123, Gadong,” every other platform should match exactly
- Use one primary phone number everywhere
How to check: Open all your profiles side by side. Does your NAP appear identically? Any variation needs fixing.
The Content Layer: What You Say and How You Say It
4. Use Location Keywords Naturally in Descriptions
Why it matters: When people search “cafe Gadong” or “tutor Seria,” your profile needs those location terms to appear in results.
Action steps:
- Include your area in your bio: “Family-owned bakery in Kiulap” not just “Family-owned bakery”
- Mention landmarks when relevant: “Located near The Mall”
- Add district or major area: “Serving Brunei-Muara”
- Use these terms naturally, not stuffed awkwardly
5. Write Alt Text for All Images
Why it matters: Alt text helps visually impaired users and improves search discoverability.
Action steps:
- On Instagram, add descriptive alt text: “Grilled chicken rice plate at Restaurant Name in Gadong, Brunei”
- On Facebook, use the alt text field when uploading photos
- On your website, every image should have descriptive alt text with location keywords
6. Post Location-Specific Content Regularly
Why it matters: Content mentioning local areas signals to algorithms that you’re relevant for local searches.
Action steps:
- Create content about local events relevant to your business
- Mention Brunei holidays and how they affect your business
- Reference local landmarks in posts when appropriate
- Share content about serving specific areas: “Now delivering to Tungku area!”
The Technical Layer: Tags, Links, and Structure
7. Use Location Tags on Every Single Post
Why it matters: Location tags make you discoverable to people browsing that location’s feed or searching for businesses in that area.
Action steps:
- On Instagram, add location tag to every feed post and Story
- On Facebook, tag your business location or the area you’re posting about
- If your exact location doesn’t exist, use the nearest major area (Gadong, Kiulap, etc.)
How to check: Scroll through your feed. Every post should have a location tag. No exceptions moving forward.
8. Create and Use a Branded Local Hashtag
Why it matters: A consistent branded hashtag helps customers find all your content and encourages user-generated content tagging.
Action steps:
- Create a unique hashtag: #CafeAromaBrunei or #YourBusinessBN
- Add it to your bio on Instagram and use it on every post
- Encourage customers to use it when posting about you
- Search your hashtag weekly to find and engage with customer posts
9. Use Brunei-Specific Hashtags Strategically
Why it matters: Local hashtags help you appear in searches from people looking for businesses specifically in Brunei or specific areas.
Action steps:
- Research popular Brunei hashtags in your industry: #BruneiFoodie #BruneiBusiness
- Mix broad Brunei tags with area-specific ones (#GadongEats #BandarLife)
- Use 5-10 relevant hashtags per post
- Create a saved list of your best-performing Brunei hashtags
10. Link Everything to Everything
Why it matters: Cross-linking your platforms increases traffic across channels and signals to search engines that all profiles belong to your legitimate business.
Action steps:
- Your website should link to all your social profiles
- Your Instagram bio should link to your website or WhatsApp
- Your Facebook About section should include your website and other platforms
- Your Google Business Profile should link to your website and social media
The Engagement Layer: Reviews and Social Proof
11. Actively Collect Google Reviews
Why it matters: Google reviews are one of the strongest local search ranking factors. More reviews mean higher visibility.
Action steps:
- Ask satisfied customers: “Would you mind leaving us a Google review?”
- Send follow-up messages after purchases with a direct link to your review page
- Make it easy: shorten your Google review URL
- Add a QR code linking to your review page at your physical location
How to check: How many Google reviews do you have? Aim for at least one new review weekly.
12. Respond to Every Review on Every Platform
Why it matters: Response rate is a ranking signal. It also shows potential customers you care about feedback.
Action steps:
- Check Google, Facebook, and relevant platforms daily for new reviews
- Respond to positive reviews with genuine thanks within 24 hours
- Respond to negative reviews professionally, addressing concerns and offering solutions
- Keep responses personal, not copy-paste templates
How to check: Go respond to any unanswered reviews right now, then set a daily reminder.
13. Showcase Customer Content on Your Profiles
Why it matters: User-generated content provides social proof and creates more searchable content associated with your business.
Action steps:
- Create Instagram Story Highlights featuring customer posts and reviews
- Reshare customer posts to your feed (with permission) regularly
- Pin customer testimonials to the top of your Facebook page
- Use customer photos in your Google Business Profile (with permission)
How to check: When was the last time you featured customer content? Aim to reshare at least 2-3 customer posts weekly.
The Maintenance Layer: Keeping Everything Current
14. Update Hours Immediately When They Change
Why it matters: Incorrect hours damage trust and waste potential sales. Customers need accurate information.
Action steps:
- Update hours on ALL platforms simultaneously when they change
- Set special hours for public holidays and Ramadan
- Use Google’s special hours feature for temporary changes
- Post about hour changes on social media as well
- Check your listed hours monthly even when they haven’t changed
15. Post Weekly Updates to Google Business Profile
Why it matters: Regular posts signal an active business, improving your search ranking.
Action steps:
- Post at least once per week to your Google Business Profile
- Share offers, events, new products, updates, or helpful tips
- Include photos with each post when possible
- Use the appropriate post type: Offer, Update, Event, or Product
How to check: When did you last post to Google Business Profile? If it’s been more than a week, post something today.
Your 30-Day Implementation Plan
Week 1: Foundation – Complete items 1-3. Claim platforms, fill all fields, fix NAP consistency.
Week 2: Content – Tackle items 4-6. Update descriptions with keywords, add alt text, plan location-specific content.
Week 3: Technical – Implement items 7-10. Add location tags, create hashtag strategy, link everything together.
Week 4: Engagement & Maintenance – Focus on items 11-15. Start collecting reviews, set up response systems, establish update schedule.
The Monthly Audit
Set a monthly recurring calendar reminder to audit these 15 items. This 30-minute check prevents decay and maintains the visibility you’ve built.
Track these metrics monthly:
- Google Business Profile views and actions
- Instagram profile visits and reach from hashtags/location tags
- Facebook page reach and profile visits
- New customer sources (ask “How did you find us?”)
- Review count and average rating
You should see steady improvement over 2-3 months as optimization compounds.
Moving Forward
Local discovery is systematic optimization that builds over time. Each completed item increases your chances of being found when customers search.
The opportunity is clear: every checklist item you complete makes your business more visible to people actively looking for what you offer.
Someone in Brunei is searching for your business right now. This checklist is how you make sure they find you.