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The Complete Local SEO Guide for Service Businesses
When someone needs a plumber, HVAC technician, or electrician, they search Google. Ranking at the top of those local results can transform your business.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. When someone searches "plumber near me," you want to appear in the results.
The Three Pillars of Local SEO
1. Google Business Profile
Your GBP listing is critical. Claim it, complete every field, add photos regularly, and actively manage reviews. This is often the difference between page 1 and page 5.
2. On-Page Optimization
Your website needs location-specific pages, proper title tags, and content that matches what customers search for. "Emergency plumber in [City]" pages can capture high-intent traffic.
3. Citations and Reviews
Consistent business information across directories (Yelp, Angi, BBB) signals legitimacy to Google. Reviews—especially Google reviews—heavily influence rankings.
Quick Wins
1. **Claim and complete your Google Business Profile** - This is free and high-impact
2. **Ask happy customers for reviews** - Create a simple process to request reviews
3. **Add your city to page titles** - "John's Plumbing | Denver's Trusted Plumber"
4. **Create location pages** - If you serve multiple cities, create dedicated pages
The Long Game
SEO isn't overnight. Expect 60-90 days for initial improvements and 6-12 months for significant rankings changes. But unlike ads, organic rankings provide leads without ongoing ad spend.
[Learn about our SEO services](/solutions/seo) or [get a free consultation](/contact).
The Complete Local SEO Guide for Service Businesses
December 5, 20248 min read
The Complete Local SEO Guide for Service Businesses
When someone needs a plumber, HVAC technician, or electrician, they search Google. Ranking at the top of those local results can transform your business.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. When someone searches "plumber near me," you want to appear in the results.
The Three Pillars of Local SEO
1. Google Business Profile
Your GBP listing is critical. Claim it, complete every field, add photos regularly, and actively manage reviews. This is often the difference between page 1 and page 5.
2. On-Page Optimization
Your website needs location-specific pages, proper title tags, and content that matches what customers search for. "Emergency plumber in [City]" pages can capture high-intent traffic.
3. Citations and Reviews
Consistent business information across directories (Yelp, Angi, BBB) signals legitimacy to Google. Reviews—especially Google reviews—heavily influence rankings.
Quick Wins
1. **Claim and complete your Google Business Profile** - This is free and high-impact
2. **Ask happy customers for reviews** - Create a simple process to request reviews
3. **Add your city to page titles** - "John's Plumbing | Denver's Trusted Plumber"
4. **Create location pages** - If you serve multiple cities, create dedicated pages
The Long Game
SEO isn't overnight. Expect 60-90 days for initial improvements and 6-12 months for significant rankings changes. But unlike ads, organic rankings provide leads without ongoing ad spend.
[Learn about our SEO services](/solutions/seo) or [get a free consultation](/contact).
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