When thinking about local SEO for the home service industry, having a strong local SEO strategy is crucial for attracting customers in your area. I can think of only one way to quickly boost your local presence while your website climbs in the organic ranks, local listings.
When potential customers search for services like plumbing, HVAC, or landscaping, they often search engines to find the best providers nearby. Setting up local listings and focusing on optimizing those alongside your website will give you a head start in boosting your business’s authenticity.
In this article, I’ll explore three key elements of local SEO that are often overlooked when focusing only on your website: Google My Business, local citations, and reviews.
Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB), also known as the maps listing, is a free tool that allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. For home service businesses, a well-optimized Google Business Profile is a cornerstone of local SEO allowing your business to show up when your target audience searches for your services.
- Claim and Verify Your Business: Start by claiming your business on Google My Business if you haven’t already. Verification is crucial because it ensures that your business information is accurate and that you have control over your listing.
- Optimize Your Google Business Profile: Make sure your business profile is fully filled out with up-to-date information. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and service areas. Use relevant keywords in your business description to help people searching for your services find you easily.
- Leverage Google Maps: Being listed on Google Maps not only helps people find your business location but also plays a significant role in local search rankings. Make sure your business is accurately listed on Google Maps and that your location details are consistent across all online platforms, including Apple Maps and other map services.
- Utilize Photos and Posts: Regularly update your Google My Business profile with high-quality photos and posts about your services. This helps engage your target audience and keeps your listing active, which can boost your ranking in local searches.
To learn more about setting up your Google Business Listing check out our article How To Manage A Google Business Listing.
Local Citations
Local citations are online mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) across various websites and directories. These citations play a significant role in local SEO by helping search engines verify your business’s legitimacy and location. Examples of these include Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB, and more. We often use a citation builder to push correct NAP information to these citation sites so that they can be picked up quickly by Google or other search engines.
- Build Citations Consistently: Ensure your business is listed on popular local directories and websites relevant to the home services industry. This includes directories like Yelp, Angie’s List, and industry-specific sites. Consistent NAP information across all listings helps improve your online visibility and search engine rankings.
- Utilize Data Aggregators: Data aggregators like SEM Rush and YEXT distribute your business information to multiple online directories. Submitting your business details to these aggregators can help you build citations more efficiently and ensure consistency across the web.
- Optimize Business Listings: Just like your Google My Business profile, your business listings on other platforms should be fully optimized. Include relevant keywords in your business descriptions, and don’t forget to add your services, hours of operation, and any other pertinent information.
- Link Building Through Citations: While building citations, focus on directories that allow backlinks to your website. Quality backlinks from reputable sites not only improve your local SEO but also contribute to your overall SEO efforts.
Review Generation
Customer reviews are a critical factor in local SEO, influencing both your search rankings and the trust potential customers have in your business. Positive reviews can significantly boost your business’s online reputation and attract more clients. In my experience for home service businesses focusing on Google Business Profile reviews is one of the most important factors to showing up in the maps listings. Aim for 1-2 positive reviews per week to take advantage of the boost to visibility that reviews offer your business.
- Encourage Positive Reviews: Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your Google Business Profile, Yelp, and other review platforms. Make it easy for them by providing direct links to your review pages in follow-up emails or on your website.
- Respond to Reviews: Engage with your customers by responding to reviews, both positive and negative. Thank those who leave positive feedback and address any concerns raised in negative reviews. This not only shows potential customers that you care about their experience but also signals to search engines that your business is active and engaged.
- Leverage Reviews in Your Marketing: Highlight positive reviews on your website and social media channels. This not only reinforces your credibility but also helps in optimizing your website for local SEO by keeping your content fresh and engaging.
- Monitor and Manage Reviews Regularly: Use tools or services that alert you when new reviews are posted. Regular monitoring ensures you can quickly respond to any feedback and maintain a positive online presence.
Key Takeaways: Empower Local SEO For Your Home Service Business
In over 10 years of working as a home service SEO and web development expert, I have found that building local citations is one of the key aspects of improving online rankings. Telling search engines like Google where people can find you and how they can reach you is a sure way to ensure the search engines see your business as active and legitimate. In addition to this you will be hard pressed to find a potential customer who won’t go looking for reviews before hiring your business. Utilizing review management tools and actively seeking out customer feedback practically guarantees that your business will gain more leads.
Whether you’re just starting with local SEO or looking to refine your strategy, these steps will position your home service business for success. For more personalized advice or to learn how we can help optimize your business online, contact us today.