Key takeaways
- If customers search for your service in your area, local SEO is worth it.
- Start before you need the leads, since it takes a few months.
- Fix your Google profile, website basics and reviews first.
- If you need leads this month, start ads alongside it.
Local SEO works for almost any business that serves customers in a specific area. The real question is timing and where to start.
1. Signs you're ready
- People search for your service plus your town.
- Competitors show up above you on Google Maps.
- You rely on calls, quotes or appointments.
- You want to depend less on referrals or paid ads.
- You can handle more work over the next few months.
2. Fix these first
- Claim and complete your Google Business Profile.
- Make sure your name, address and phone match everywhere.
- Have a website with a page for each main service.
- Start asking every customer for a review.
3. When ads should come first
- You need leads this month to cover costs.
- You're launching a new business or location.
- Your market is very competitive and SEO will take longer.
Many businesses run ads while SEO builds. See SEO vs Google Ads.
4. Timing
Seasonal businesses should start a few months before their busy season. For everyone else, the best time is now, because rankings take time to build. See what SEO costs.
