SEO for tradesmen: 6 jobs that get you more local calls from Google

What SEO actually means for a trade business

Forget the jargon. For a tradesperson, SEO is about one thing: when someone in your area types your trade into Google, your name is one of the ones they see and call. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence. These six jobs cover the parts you can influence.

1. Your Google Business Profile

This is the listing that shows in Google Maps. Google says businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up. Get the category right, list your services, add real photos and keep your hours accurate.

2. Your service areas

If you go to customers rather than them coming to you, Google's guidelines say to hide your business address and set service areas. You can add up to 20 service areas.

3. Your website pages

One page per main job and pages for the towns you want more work in. Each should say clearly what you do, where and how to get a quote. Avoid near-identical copies; Google's spam policies call that doorway abuse.

4. Consistent listings

Your business name, phone and area should match on every directory and trade body listing. Google also says your business name should reflect your real-world name, so no stuffing keywords into it.

5. Reviews

Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. Ask every happy customer with a Google link or QR code, and never offer anything in return.

6. Genuine local links

Links from suppliers, trade bodies you belong to, local clubs and real local news. Google says buying links for ranking is link spam, so steer clear of link packages.

Can you do it yourself?

Yes, and Google says a small local business can probably do much of the work itself. The catch is time. Keeping a profile active, writing good pages and earning links is a steady drip of evenings. If you'd rather be on the tools, that's when getting it done for you makes sense.

What a done-for-you service should take off your plate

If you do hand it over, the provider should handle the steady, repetitive parts: keeping your profile complete and active, writing and fixing website pages, keeping your listings consistent, setting up your review link and message, and finding genuine local link opportunities. You should only be asked for the things only you can give: photos of jobs, which work you want more of, and a yes before anything new goes live.

And you should get a plain report every month, so you always know what you're paying for.

Where to start this week

1. Search your trade and town on your phone and see who shows up.
2. Open your own Business Profile and check the category, services and service areas.
3. Send a review link to your last three happy customers.

Then have a look at our pages for plumbers, electricians and roofers.