When faced with a gushing faucet or broken AC, most of us grab our phones and turn to local listings on Yelp or Google My Business to find skilled plumbers, HVAC repairmen, and electricians.
These online directories are like virtual billboards, enabling you to list your business so potential customers in your area can find you in their hour of need.
But simply claiming these listings isn’t enough. To find true local SEO success and unlock the floodgates of qualified leads, you need powerful strategies to optimize your listings.
So, let’s dive into everything you need to know to dominate local listings!
7 Reasons Why You Must Be on Local Listings
Here are seven reasons why local listings are a game-changer for home service providers:
Increased Visibility
Local listings put your business in front of a highly targeted audience – people actively searching for services in your specific area.
The more listings you’re on, the wider your net is cast, increasing the chances of potential customers finding you.
Improved Local SEO
Search engines like Google heavily rely on local listings to understand a business’s relevance in local searches.
By claiming and optimizing your listings, you boost your local SEO, making it more likely you’ll appear at the top of search results when someone types in “plumber near me” or “electrician [your city].”
Enhanced Credibility
A strong presence on local listings builds trust with potential customers. These listings often display reviews and ratings, allowing satisfied customers to sing your praises.
It enables you to attract new clients who can see your track record.
Cost-Effective Reach
Many local listings are free to claim and maintain. This is a fantastic, cost-effective way to reach a wide audience without breaking the bank.
Mobile & Voice Search Optimization
With the rise of mobile searches, ranking on these listings is crucial. They ensure your business details are readily available to users searching on the go.
Plus, you can even be optimized for voice search (“Hey Google, find a plumber near me”).
Improved Customer Engagement
Many local listings allow you to showcase photos of your work, special offers, and even links to your website.
This fosters richer engagement with potential customers and provides them with the information they need to make a decision.
Competitive Advantage
By claiming and optimizing your listings, you ensure you’re not left behind in the digital dust, helping you stay ahead of competitors who haven’t embraced the power of local SEO.
Read: How to Get Local Traffic for Home Services Business
Best Local Listings for Home Service Providers
Did you know that the top five most trusted platforms prospects use to find information about a local business are Google, Google Maps, the business’s site, Facebook, and Yelp?
Optimizing your listing on Google Maps, social media, and platforms like Yelp can significantly help you get more new business.
Now, let’s explore some key listing platforms you shouldn’t miss:
General Local Listings:
- Google My Business: This is the undisputed king of local listings. Claiming and optimizing your Google My Business profile ensures you appear in Google Maps and local search results.
- Apple Maps Connect: Don’t neglect Apple users! Claiming your listing on Apple Maps Connect helps you reach iPhone and Mac users searching for services in your area.
- Bing Places: While not as dominant as Google, Bing still holds a significant market share. Claiming your listing on Bing Places ensures you’re visible to Bing searchers.
- Yelp: A major online directory with a focus on user reviews and more. Many people use Yelp to look up home services providers in emergencies. Claiming and optimizing your Yelp listing will help you attract customers who need you urgently and even those who rely on online reviews before making a decision.
Industry-Specific Directories
Look for online directories catering specifically to your industry. Here are a few examples:
- Plumbers: HomeAdvisor, Angi, Thumbtack, Yelp
- Electricians: Porch, ServiceMagic, Yelp
- Cleaners: Handy, Merry Maids, Yelp
- General Home Services: TaskRabbit, Yelp (for a wider audience)
Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor offer local business listings. These can be a great way to connect with potential customers in your community and showcase your brand personality.
Climb the Ladder: 10 Powerful Tips to Rank High on Local Listings
By implementing these powerful strategies, you can climb the listing ranks and ensure your home services business gets noticed by the right customers:
1. Claim and Optimize All Listings
This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial. Claim and verify your business on every relevant local listing platform. Consistency is key.
Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information is absolutely identical across all listings. Even minor discrepancies can hurt your ranking.
Also, make it easy to find and connect with you on these listings. Keep your number and the quote-a-price forms up front.
Use a local business data management tool or spreadsheet to keep track of your listings and ensure consistency.
2. Sprinkle Your Listings with Local SEO Keywords
Keywords are the key to local SEO success. Conduct thorough keyword research to identify relevant terms people in your area use to search for home services.
Include these keywords naturally throughout your listing descriptions, but avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on phrases like “[your service area] + [your service],” “[your city] + plumber,” or “[neighborhood] + electrician.”
3. Cultivate a Stellar Online Reputation
Positive online reviews are a necessity for home services businesses. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google My Business, industry-specific directories, and social media platforms.
Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, thanking customers for positive feedback and addressing any concerns raised in negative reviews.
4. Showcase Expertise and Value in Your Content
Many local listings allow you to add descriptions beyond just basic details. Utilize this space to showcase your expertise and value proposition.
Highlight what sets you apart from competitors. Briefly explain your service offerings, areas of specialization, and unique selling points.
5. Use High-Quality, Relevant Images
A picture is worth a thousand words, and that holds true for listings too. Include high-quality photos of your team in action, completed projects that showcase your skills, and before-and-after pictures (if applicable).
You can also include pictures of discounted offers or services you want to promote and your best-selling services as well.
6. Choose the Right Business Classification
Most local listings allow you to categorize your business. Don’t just pick the generic option!
Choose specific categories that accurately reflect your services. This helps search engines understand your business and improves your ranking for relevant searches.
7. Utilize Advanced Listing Features
Some platforms offer advanced features for listings. Explore these options and leverage them if they benefit your business.
For example, Google My Business allows you to showcase special offers, highlight service areas, and even add appointments. Yelp also has advanced features for its paid and free listings.
8. Share Your Socials
Include links to your social media profiles and website in your listings. This allows potential customers to learn more about your business, see examples of your work, and connect with you on other platforms.
9. Track Your Performance and Adapt
Many local listing platforms offer basic analytics tools. Utilize these to track your listing performance, such as clicks, views, and calls generated.
Analyze this data to understand what’s working and what’s not. Use it to refine your listing descriptions, optimize keywords, and improve overall performance.
10. Engage with Your Community
Don’t just claim your listings and forget them. Actively engage with your local community through these platforms.
Participate in Q&A sections, respond to local customer inquiries, and highlight community projects you’re involved in. This builds trust and strengthens your local presence.
By implementing these comprehensive strategies, you can transform your local listings from basic online entries to powerful marketing tools that attract new customers and propel your home service business to the top of the local search results.
Common Local Listings Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t Sabotage Your Online Presence
While claiming and optimizing local listings is a powerful strategy, here are some pitfalls to avoid:
Duplicate Listings: A Confusing Mess for Search Engines
Having duplicate listings with conflicting information across various platforms is a big no-no. Search engines can get confused by duplicates, hurting your ranking and making it difficult for potential customers to find you.
Use a local business data management tool or a simple spreadsheet to keep track of your claimed listings and ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information is absolutely identical everywhere.
Inaccurate Information: Trust is Key, So Get it Right
Inaccurate information on your listings, like outdated addresses or incorrect phone numbers, can seriously damage your credibility with potential customers.
Double-check all information before submitting it. Plus, be proactive in keeping your listings updated with any changes, such as changes in working hours.
Neglecting Negative Reviews: Address Concerns and Show You Care
Negative reviews happen, but how you handle them is crucial. Ignoring negative reviews looks unprofessional, but responding promptly and professionally demonstrates that you care about customer satisfaction.
Acknowledge the concerns raised, apologize for any inconvenience, and outline steps you’ll take to rectify the situation.
Should You Choose to Have a Paid or Sponsored Listing?
Local listings often offer the option to upgrade your listing to a “sponsored” or “premium” version. This typically comes with a monthly fee and offers enhanced visibility compared to free listings.
But is it worth the investment for your home service business? Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Pros of Sponsored Listings
- Increased Visibility: Sponsored listings often appear at the top of search results or in prime locations on local listing platforms. This increased visibility can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by potential customers searching for services in your area.
- Targeted Advertising: Some platforms allow you to target your sponsored listings to specific demographics or locations. This ensures your ad reaches the most relevant potential customers who are more likely to need your services.
- Lead Generation Tools: Sponsored listings may offer features to capture leads directly through the platform, such as contact forms or “request a quote” buttons. This can streamline the process for potential customers to reach out to you.
- Track Performance & Measure ROI: Many sponsored listings come with analytics tools that allow you to track clicks, impressions, and even leads generated. This data is invaluable for understanding the effectiveness of your ad spend and optimizing your campaigns for better results.
Cons of Sponsored Listings
- Ongoing Investment: Sponsored listings require a monthly investment, which can strain your marketing budget if not managed effectively.
- Bidding Wars: In competitive markets, sponsored listings can become bidding wars, driving up the cost per lead.
- Requires Strategy: Simply paying for a sponsored listing doesn’t guarantee success. You still need a well-optimized listing with compelling descriptions and positive reviews to convert clicks into actual customers.
So, is it right for you?
The decision to invest in sponsored listings depends on several factors:
- Your Budget: Sponsored listings are an additional marketing expense. Consider if your budget can comfortably accommodate this ongoing cost.
- Market Competitiveness: Research the competition in your local area. If competition is fierce, sponsored listings might be necessary to stand out.
- Your Current Listing Performance: If your free listing is already generating a healthy amount of leads, then sponsored listings might not be essential initially. However, they can still be a good option for further growth.
Here’s what to do before you invest:
- Optimize Your Free Listing First: Make sure your free listing is fully optimized with accurate information, relevant keywords, compelling descriptions, and positive reviews.
- Track Your Current Performance: Monitor the leads and conversions generated by your free listing to establish a baseline.
- Set Clear Goals: Determine what you hope to achieve with sponsored listings (e.g., increased leads, website traffic, or brand awareness).
- Start Small & Test & Analyze: If you decide to go for sponsored listings, start with a small budget and closely track the results. Analyze the data to see if it aligns with your goals and adjust your strategy as needed.
Take these steps and then make an informed decision on whether you need sponsored listings or not.
Become the Local Listings Champion!
You’ve now unlocked the secrets of local listings and can transform them into a powerful local SEO tool for your home services business.
By consistently implementing these strategies, monitoring your results, and adapting your approach as needed, you’ll ensure your business remains at the top of local search results.
Ranking high on these listings will increase visibility and get you a steady stream of qualified leads eager to convert into loyal customers.
If you want consistent local listing success, you can seek professional local SEO services. At 2020 Vision Digital, we can create a tailored local SEO strategy to help your business become the go-to home services provider in your neighborhood and beyond!