Mastering the art of SEO for home services companies

Growing your home services business online is not as easy as it may seem at first. You can’t just put up a website and expect people to find it. And you can’t just rely on word-of-mouth marketing. You need to be proactive and invest in some digital marketing strategies – specifically, SEO.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It is the process of improving the visibility and organic search results of your website so that it appears higher in the search engine results pages (SERPs). In other words, it helps you attract more website visitors through organic, or unpaid, search results.

Why is SEO important for home service businesses?

SEO is important for any business that wants to be visible online, but it is especially important for home service businesses. That’s because people who are searching for home services are typically ready to buy. They are either looking for a one-time service or they are looking for a company to establish a long-term relationship with.

And, since the majority of people now use the internet to find local businesses – 80% according to one study – it’s essential that your home services company appears in the search results when potential customers are looking for the services you offer.

Home services SEO is also important because it helps you build trust and credibility with potential customers. When your website appears in the top search results for relevant keywords, it sends a signal to searchers that you are a credible and trustworthy business. This is especially important for small businesses, as studies have shown that 71% of consumers say they are more likely to trust a local business than a national one.

What are some SEO tips for home service businesses?

1. Optimize your website for local SEO.
2. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing.
3. Build citations.
4. Focus on generating reviews.
5. Publish high-quality content.
6. Promote your content through social media and email marketing.
7. Invest in paid advertising.
8. Monitor your SEO progress with Google Analytics.
9. Hire an experienced SEO agency or consultant.

Local SEO

As a home service business, it’s important to optimize your website for local SEO so that you show up in the search results when potential customers in your service area are looking for the services you offer.

Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Include your city and state in your website title tag, Meta descriptions, and H1 heading tags.
2. Optimize your website images with keyword-rich file names and ALT text.
3. Add a Google Maps widget to your website.
4. Embed a Google Map on your contact page.
5. Register your business with Google My Business.
6. Optimize your Google My Business listing with keyword-rich descriptions and photos.
7. Get listed in local directories and online business listings sites.
8. Encourage customers to leave reviews on third-party review sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor.

Google My Business

Google My Business is a free listing that appears in the local results of the SERPs. It allows businesses to control how they appear in Google Maps and Google Search.

To optimize your Google My Business listing:

1. Use keyword-rich descriptions.
2. Add photos and videos.
3. Include your business hours, contact information, and website URL.
4. Encourage customers to leave reviews.
5. Respond to reviews – both positive and negative.

Citations

A citation is an online mention of your home service business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). Citations help improve your local SEO by increasing your visibility in the local results of the SERPs.

To build citations:

1. Get listed in online directories like Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, and Google My Business.
2. Register your business with local chamber of commerce and business associations.
3. Create profiles on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
4. Publish press releases and articles on news websites and online industry publications.
5. Add your business NAP to your website’s footer or contact page.

Conclusion:

SEO is important for home service businesses because it helps them appear in the search results when potential customers are looking for the services they offer. Additionally, SEO can help build trust and credibility with potential customers. Some tips for optimizing your home service business for SEO include localizing your website, claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, building citations, focus on generating reviews, and investing in paid advertising.