Build a complete local-SEO action plan for a Nigerian business
The capstone project for Local SEO for Nigerian Businesses — a free Marketing course. Pass it and you earn a certificate anyone can verify.
- Free
- 6 steps
- Pass mark 65%
- Graded within minutes
- Beginner-friendly
The project unlocks once you complete the lessons. The workbook is free to download now so you can see exactly what is expected.
What you will submit
A single shareable link (Google Doc or similar) containing the business profile, the Google Business Profile optimisation plan, the local keyword list, the reviews plan, and the citations and NAP list.
What to do, step by step
- Choose a real or realistic Nigerian local business (a shop or a service business) and write a short profile of it: its name, what it sells, its location or service areas, and its ideal nearby customer.
- Create a Google Business Profile optimisation plan: state the exact primary and secondary categories, a natural location-rich business description, the opening hours and contact details to set, the photos to add, and whether it should be a storefront or service-area business, with a note on the verification method to use.
- Build a local keyword list of at least 10 phrases your customers actually type, combining services with places and including several specific long-tail phrases, and briefly note how you found each (e.g. Google autocomplete, competitor reviews, WhatsApp messages).
- Write a reviews plan: the exact moment and channel you'll ask, a short copy-paste request script with the review link, how you'll make it one-tap (e.g. QR code), and a sample reply for one positive and one negative review.
- Build a citations and NAP list: the single exact Name, Address and Phone to use everywhere, plus at least 6 specific places to get listed (e.g. Google, Facebook, Instagram, VConnect, ConnectNigeria, Apple/Bing Maps).
- Assemble everything into one shareable Google Doc (or similar link): the business profile, the GBP optimisation plan, the keyword list, the reviews plan, and the citations and NAP list.
Files to work with
Project workbook (fill in, then submit)The whole brief, an evidence checklist, the grading rubric as a self-check and the link-sharing steps in one file. Opens in Word, Google Docs or WPS.Word · 6 KBHow it is graded
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Google Business Profile plan: correct and accurate primary and secondary categories, a natural location-rich description, the right business type (storefront vs service-area), and the contact details, hours, photos and verification method are all specified. | 30% |
| Local keyword list: at least 10 realistic phrases combining service and place, including several specific long-tail terms, with a brief note on how each was found. | 20% |
| Reviews plan: a clear moment and channel to ask, a polite copy-paste script with the review link, a one-tap method, and sensible sample replies to a positive and a negative review (no buying or faking). | 25% |
| Citations and NAP: one exact Name, Address and Phone defined for consistent use, plus at least 6 relevant places (including Nigerian directories) to get listed. | 15% |
| Nigerian relevance and polish: the business, places, examples and channels are concrete and realistic for Nigeria, and everything is assembled into one clean, complete, working shareable link. | 10% |
You need 65% overall to pass. A failed submission comes back with feedback and can be revised and resubmitted.
Before you submit: make your link public
If your work lives in Google Drive or Google Docs, open Share → General access and change “Restricted” to “Anyone with the link” (Viewer). Then paste the link into a private browser window: if it opens without sign-in, you are ready. A private link cannot be graded — it is the single most common reason a good project fails.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to finish Local SEO for Nigerian Businesses before submitting the project?
Yes. The submission screen opens once every lesson in Local SEO for Nigerian Businesses is marked complete. The lessons are where the methods, the Nigerian context and the worked examples the project depends on are taught.
How is the project graded?
An examiner scores each rubric criterion from 0 to 100 and weights them as shown on this page; you need 65% overall to pass. Most submissions are graded within minutes and you get written feedback on what was strong and what to improve.
Can I resubmit if I fail?
Yes. A failed project comes back with feedback; revise the weak parts and resubmit. A passed project is final — the certificate is issued and cannot be re-rolled.
What do I actually submit?
A write-up of what you did (under 5,000 characters) plus a public link to your work — a Google Drive folder, Google Doc, spreadsheet, GitHub repository or video. The link must open without sign-in; a private link cannot be graded. The free project workbook on this page walks you through all 6 steps.
Is the certificate real?
Yes. Passing this project issues a certificate with a unique verification code. Anyone — an employer, a client, a school — can open the verification page and see that the certificate is genuine and which project earned it.
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Ready to earn this certificate?
Local SEO for Nigerian Businesses is free and self-paced. Finish the lessons, complete this project, and the certificate is yours to share.
Start learning free