This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of setting up automated, scheduled GeoGrid scans in Local Dominator. By following these steps, you will create a hands-off monitoring system that tracks local ranking changes for any location on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The outcome is a consistent and reliable stream of historical performance data, which is essential for client reporting and making strategic decisions.
🎯 Who is this for?
SEO Agencies, Multi-Location Businesses, Solo Business Owners (SMBs)
📋 What you’ll need
- The name and address of the business you want to track.
- A Local Dominator subscription (any plan).
⏳ Time to complete
Approximately 15-30 minutes.
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Why You Should Set Up Scheduled Scans
A single GeoGrid scan provides a snapshot of your local rankings at one moment in time. However, local SEO is a long-term strategy, and your rankings can change frequently. Setting up scheduled scans transforms your rank tracking from a one-off tactic into a strategic monitoring system. This automated data collection is crucial for several reasons:
- Demonstrating ROI: A historical record of heatmap reports provides clear, visual evidence of progress over time, making it easier to show the value of your SEO work to clients or stakeholders.
- Competitive Intelligence: Automated tracking allows you to consistently monitor competitor movements and identify when a rival makes a strategic push in a specific area.
- Correlation Analysis: By tracking rankings consistently, you can more accurately connect your optimization activities (like updating a GBP profile) with improvements in local visibility.
How to Set Up a Scheduled Scan: Step-by-Step
The process for setting up a scheduled scan is nearly identical to a one-time scan, with the addition of a scheduling step.
Step 1: Start a New Scan
From the main dashboard, begin the process by clicking to start a new scan under Grid Scan, then SCHEDULED SCANS section.
Step 2: Select and Position Your Location
Next, choose the business and the specific area you want to track.
- For Storefront Businesses: Choose your business from the location dropdown menu. The grid will automatically center on your physical address.
- For Service Area Businesses (SABs): If your business is a Service Area Business (SAB) and does not appear in the initial list, use the Search button to find it. You can then click and drag the grid to position it over the specific neighborhoods or zones you want to track.
Step 3: Configure Your Scan Settings
Add your keywords and choose your desired Grid Size and Scan Radius to define the geographic area for the heatmap.
Step 4: Set the Schedule
This is where you automate the scan.
- Locate the option to make the scan recurring to reveal the scheduling settings.
- Choose a frequency: Daily, Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or Monthly.
- Select the specific day and time for the scan to run (e.g., “every Monday at 10 a.m.”).
💡 Pro Tip
For the most accurate data, schedule scans during your business’s operating hours.
Step 5: Launch the Automated Scan
Click the Scan button to save the configuration. The scan will now run automatically based on your chosen schedule, and each completed report will be saved to create a historical timeline.
Best Practices for Automated SEO Tracking
Automate Your Client Reporting
Give clients a live, transparent view of their results using the Dynamic Share URL. This view-only link automatically updates after each scan, eliminating the need for manual reports. Clients can see all historical scans, view all tracked keywords, and move between timelines to see progress. You can also embed this dynamic report directly into client dashboards like HighLevel or Google Looker Studio.
How to Track “Near Me” Keywords
To measure performance for high-intent searches like “plumber near me,” simply use that phrase as your keyword. The GeoGrid technology automatically handles the location variable by simulating the search from each point on the map, giving you a true picture of your “near me” visibility across the entire service area.
Set Up Automated Competitor Tracking
To monitor a key competitor, set up a separate scheduled scan using their business name with the same keywords and grid settings you use for your own business. This creates a parallel historical record, allowing you to compare heatmaps over time and spot strategic opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
My scheduled scan didn’t run. What should I check?
The most common reason for a failed scan is having insufficient credits. Each scheduled scan deducts credits from your account when it runs. Check your account balance to ensure you have enough. If credits are not the issue, verify that your subscription is active.
Can I edit a scheduled scan after it’s been created?
Yes. You can manage your scheduled scans from the main dashboard. This includes the ability to pause the entire scan schedule or to remove and pause specific keywords within a scan without deleting the historical data.
How are credits used for scheduled scans?
Credits are deducted each time a scheduled scan runs. The amount of credits used is determined by the grid size of the scan. On Pro and Powerhouse plans, any unused credits roll over to the next month, so you never lose them.
What is the best frequency for scheduled scans?
For most businesses, a weekly scan provides a good balance of consistent data without using too many credits. If you are in a highly competitive market or running a specific marketing campaign, you might choose a daily scan. For broader, long-term tracking, monthly scans can be sufficient.
How will I know when my scheduled scan is finished?
You will receive an email notification once your scheduled scan is complete and the report is ready to view. You can also see the status of all your scans directly on the dashboard at any time.
Related Resources
- Next Step: Analyzing GeoGrid Heatmaps for Strategic Insights
- Learn More: How Local Dominator’s Credit System Works
- Learn More: What is a GeoGrid Rank Tracker?