Run it as a service
The Local SEO Agency Workflow: Manage Multiple Clients
Managing many client locations needs structure beyond the single-location routine. This guide covers multi-location dashboards, bulk actions and client access controls.
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RankLocal · Run it as a service
Stage 1
multi-location dashboard
Stage 2
Spotting the outlier client
Stage 3
Bulk actions
The multi-location dashboard
Agency accounts get a Portfolio view above the single-location dashboard, listing every managed location with its health score, review rating and rank trend in one sortable table rather than switching locations one at a time.
Spotting the outlier client
Sort the Portfolio table by health score or 30-day rank trend to immediately surface the branch or client falling behind the others, rather than discovering it only when the client calls to complain.
Bulk actions
Some routine tasks — like re-running the duplicate citation scan or refreshing grid tracking — can be triggered across a selected group of locations at once from the Portfolio table's bulk action menu.
- Sort Portfolio by health score to spot underperforming clients fast
- Trigger duplicate scans or grid refreshes across multiple locations at once
- Set per-client access levels rather than one blanket permission set
Client access and permissions
Each location can have its own set of client-facing users with view-only or limited edit permissions, configured under that location's Settings → Team, keeping clients informed without letting them alter tracked keywords or citation submissions.
Why this matters
Implementing RankLocal's 'run it as a service' feature effectively transforms reactive firefighting into a proactive, scalable operation. Consider an agency managing 50 local clients, each requiring weekly rank tracking, GMB insights, and review monitoring. Without a structured service approach, an analyst might spend hours manually collecting data, leading to inconsistent reporting and missed opportunities. By pre-defining routines and automated reporting within RankLocal, the agency ensures every client receives timely updates and critical issues, like sudden ranking drops for a key service, are flagged automatically, allowing for immediate corrective action rather than discovery weeks later.
Conversely, neglecting to establish these repeatable routines leads to significant operational inefficiencies and client dissatisfaction. Imagine the same agency, but without predefined service parameters in RankLocal. Each week, analysts are recreating reports, potentially overlooking vital metrics for some clients while over-reporting for others. This inconsistency erodes client trust and impacts retention. Furthermore, onboarding new team members becomes a protracted, manual training process, hindering agency growth. The absence of a systematic approach means valuable time is spent on administrative tasks rather than strategic SEO improvements, ultimately impacting client ROI and the agency's profitability.
Automating Client Performance Reviews with Branded Templates
A critical aspect of running local SEO as a service is the systematic delivery of performance insights to clients. RankLocal allows agencies to define custom, branded report templates that pull directly from client data, ensuring consistent messaging and a professional presentation. This automation extends beyond mere data export; it encapsulates the agency's narrative around performance, highlighting key wins and areas for improvement without manual intervention for each report. Establishing a quarterly review cycle, for instance, becomes a push-button operation, enabling account managers to focus on discussing strategy rather than compiling data.
The decision rule here is to align each client's reporting frequency and content with their service level agreement (SLA) and business objectives. For a client prioritising immediate visibility in a competitive niche, a weekly snapshot report might be essential, focusing on keyword shifts and new review acquisition. For a more established business, a monthly or quarterly deep-dive into GMB engagement, conversion path analysis, and long-term ranking trends might be more appropriate. RankLocal's flexibility in template design and scheduling facilitates this nuanced approach, ensuring reports are both relevant and delivered efficiently.
To optimise automated client performance reviews:
• Define a tiered reporting structure based on client SLA.
• Customise report templates with agency branding and specific metrics.
• Schedule automated delivery directly to client stakeholders.
• Integrate interpretive commentary blocks within templates for context.
Do it now
Immediately establish your first repeatable local SEO routine within RankLocal to familiarise yourself with the process. Select one client and define a weekly rank tracking and GMB insights report, ensuring it's branded with your agency logo and set for automated delivery to a test email address. This hands-on exercise confirms the setup process and validates the automated output, laying the groundwork for scaling these operations across your entire client base with confidence and efficiency.
- Navigate to 'Reporting' > 'Scheduled Reports'.
- Click 'Create New Report Schedule'.
- Select an existing client and define a 'Weekly' frequency.
- Add relevant modules like 'Keyword Rankings' and 'GMB Performance'.
Key takeaways
- ✓Use the Portfolio view rather than switching locations individually
- ✓Sort by health score or trend to find the client needing attention first
- ✓Use bulk actions for routine maintenance across many locations
- ✓Set per-location client permissions rather than one shared access level
Do it now
Build repeatable local SEO routines and deliver branded agency reporting. Audit the local footprint.