Local SEO Services: Get Found by Local Customers

Google is where most people begin their search for local services. While other search engines exist, Google holds nearly 90 percent of the market, which makes it the single most important platform for visibility. If your business is not showing up when people search in your area, you are losing customers to competitors who are. Even a beautifully designed small business website needs proper SEO to attract qualified local traffic.

Search engine optimization (SEO) may seem complicated, but at its core it is about helping Google understand who you are, where you are, and what you do. Local SEO focuses on making sure that people in your community can find you quickly and easily.

Understanding Keywords

Keywords are simply the words and phrases people type into Google. For local businesses, transactional keywords are the most valuable. Someone searching for "plumber in Manchester NH" is actively looking to hire a plumber, not just gather information.

There are also informational keywords, like "how to fix a leaky faucet." These searches are more about learning than buying, but they can still attract visitors who may decide to call you after realizing they need professional help. With AI search now answering many of these questions directly, focusing on transactional searches is becoming more important than ever.

How Google Chooses Who to Rank

Think of Google as a trusted friend. This friend only recommends people who are:

• Skilled and knowledgeable in their field
• Reliable and professional
• Reputable, with proof from others that they can deliver

Google's ranking system is designed to evaluate these same qualities in businesses. The way your website is built, the content it contains, and what others say about you all play a role.

On-Page SEO: Building Trust Through Content

On-page SEO is what you put directly on your website. Done right, it tells Google exactly what your business offers. A strong local website includes:

• Page Titles: Each page should clearly describe the service and location. For example, "Roof Repair in Concord NH."
• Page Descriptions: Short summaries that reinforce the title and include your keyword naturally.
• Page Content: Written in a natural voice, with headings and text that include your services and location. Quality matters more than quantity.

Multiple service pages targeting different areas give you more chances to appear in local searches.

Technical SEO: Making Your Website Perform

Even the best content will not rank well if your website is slow or hard to use. Technical SEO ensures your site is built properly and meets Google's standards.

Google PageSpeed Insights grades websites on:

• Performance (how fast pages load)
• Accessibility (whether everyone can use it)
• Best Practices (modern and secure code)
• SEO (how well Google can read it)

Aim for scores above 90 in each area. Fast, clean websites not only rank higher but also keep customers from leaving out of frustration.

Off-Page SEO: Earning Authority

Off-page SEO is about what others say about you. The most powerful way to improve your credibility is through backlinks (links from other websites that point to yours).

Google values relevance. A local roofing company that earns links from a construction blog or a building supplier will gain more trust than one that gets random links from unrelated sites. This is what builds "domain authority," a measure of how trustworthy your website appears compared to others in your industry.

For highly competitive fields, strong backlink strategies are essential. For many local businesses, though, the basics of on-page and technical SEO paired with a consistent web presence are enough to outperform competitors. Learn more about specific local SEO strategies for trades businesses in our detailed guide.

How Much SEO Do You Really Need?

The cost of SEO depends entirely on your market. National brands often spend thousands per month. Local businesses typically do not need that level of investment.

Many of our clients achieve strong local rankings with our monthly website packages, which already include best practices for on-page SEO, speed optimization, and local targeting. This allows you to show up where it matters most: in front of the customers in your area who are ready to call or visit you today.

NO DESIGN YOU LIKE? NO CHARGE.