The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Listicles

If you’re a small business owner looking to generate more local leads, listicles can be your secret weapon. This highly shareable format makes content easier to read, improves engagement, and—when done right—boosts your SEO visibility. In fact, listicles account for 36% of all shared online content and generate 3x more shares than regular articles.

Whether you’re a plumber, solicitor, salon owner, or any business relying on consistent local leads, learning how to create powerful listicles could give your digital marketing the edge it needs.

What Is a Listicle?

A listicle is exactly what it sounds like: a blog post structured as a list. It combines the informative nature of an article with the clarity and scannability of a list.

Think “10 Reasons to Hire an SEO Agency for Your Trade Business” or “7 Salon Website Features Your Clients Expect.” Each point becomes a mini-section, offering value in bite-sized pieces. This format:

• Breaks down complex topics
• Makes content easy to digest
• Encourages sharing on social platforms
• Drives local traffic when optimised for search

For examples of effective listicle formats, check out 10 Best Plumbing Website Designs and 9 Backlink Strategies for SEO Success.

Why Listicles Work So Well

Modern readers want answers fast. The structure of listicles caters to this need, especially for those skimming on mobile. Here’s why they’re so effective:

• Clarity: Numbered lists create a sense of order.
• Bite-sized info: Each point is short and impactful.
• Shareable: Articles with numbers in the title get 36% more shares.
• SEO-friendly: Well-structured content with clear headings is easier for search engines to index.
• Reader retention: Visuals and formatting reduce fatigue and increase time on page.

Essential Elements of a High-Converting Listicle

Want your listicle to work hard for your business? Follow these proven elements:

1. Compelling Headlines

Headlines should be under 60 characters and include numbers and keywords. For example:

• “7 SEO Tips Every Plumber Should Know”
• “5 Must-Have Features for Your Salon Website”

Check out our guide to writing website copy that sells for more headline tips.

2. Punchy Introductions

Hook the reader early. Answer their question or pain point upfront (e.g., “How can I get more local leads?”). Then tease the value to keep them reading.

3. Clear List Format

Use bullet points or numbered sections. Each item should be:

• 1–2 sentences long
• Focused on one idea
• Supported by a visual or link, if helpful

4. Visual Breaks

Images, GIFs, infographics, and white space help with readability. Visuals can increase content comprehension by up to 323%.

5. Scannable Subheadings

Each list item should have its own bold subheading. This helps both readers and search engines understand the structure.

6. Strong CTA or Summary

Wrap up with a clear next step, like contacting your local SEO agency or booking a free SEO audit.

How to Choose the Right Listicle Topic

Your listicle’s success depends on the relevance of its topic. Use tools like Google Trends or AnswerThePublic to find what your audience is searching for. Great examples include:

• “10 SEO Tips for Small Business Owners in 2025”
• “7 Ways to Improve Your Plumbing Website”
• “5 Local SEO Mistakes Solicitors Should Avoid”

If you’re targeting tradespeople, salons, or legal practices, browse our niche-specific services:

• SEO for Plumbers
• Salon Website Guide
• SEO for Lawyers

SEO and Formatting Best Practices

To ensure your listicle performs in search, follow these technical tips:

• Use H2s and H3s with keywords like “SEO tips,” “local marketing,” or “website optimisation.”
• Link internally to related blogs and service pages.
• Optimise images with alt tags and compress them for faster loading.
• Keep paragraphs short (2–4 lines max).

Real-World Example: Local SEO Listicle for Plumbers

Let’s say you’re writing a blog for a plumbing business. A great listicle could be:

Title: 7 Local SEO Tips to Get More Plumbing Leads

List points:

1. Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile
2. Add location-specific keywords to your service pages
3. Encourage reviews from local customers
4. Optimise for mobile users
5. Build local backlinks
6. Create location landing pages (e.g. “Plumber in Fleet”)
7. Run Google Ads targeting your service area

This format mirrors our successful content strategy outlined in SEO for Plumbers: The Ultimate Guide.

Promoting Your Listicle

Once your listicle is published, promote it across multiple channels:

• Share on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
• Repurpose into a video or carousel post
• Email it to your subscriber list
• Add it to your website’s resource hub or blog

And don’t forget to track performance using Google Analytics or your SEO tool of choice.

Final Thoughts

Listicles aren’t just trendy—they’re one of the most effective content types for driving traffic, improving SEO, and generating local leads. They’re easy to read, easy to write, and incredibly powerful when combined with the right strategy.

Want help creating lead-generating content that works for your trade, legal, or beauty business? Contact the SoNick Marketing team today or explore our full content marketing services.