Local SEO & AI search, explained plainly.
Practical guides for home service business owners on Google Maps, local rankings, GEO & AI search, technical fixes and content. No jargon, just what actually makes the phone ring.
Browse by topic.
Every topic matches a service I offer, so you can read up first and see how the work is done.
Google Business Profile categories for contractors: how to pick the right ones
How to choose the primary and secondary Google Business Profile categories that win map-pack calls, with a category table for every major trade.
Read article →Google Maps · 8 min readHow to get more Google reviews as a contractor (scripts and templates)
A simple review system for contractors: when to ask, word-for-word request scripts, how to reply, and the Google and FTC rules to stay inside.
Read article →Local SEO · 7 min readHow roofers get more storm damage leads from Google (without chasing storms)
How roofing companies win hail and wind damage searches after every storm: what to build before the season, and what to do in the first 72 hours.
Read article →Content & On-Page · 8 min readPlumbing keywords that bring high-value jobs (and the pages to rank for them)
The plumbing searches that lead to water heater, repipe, sewer and slab leak jobs, grouped by intent, with the page each one needs to rank.
Read article →Strategy · 7 min readHVAC SEO calendar: what to do each month to own the busy seasons
A month-by-month HVAC SEO plan: what to publish, update and fix before summer and winter peaks so rankings are ready when the calls start.
Read article →Strategy · 8 min readHow much does local SEO cost for a home service business?
What local SEO costs for home service businesses, what each budget level gets you, the red flags to avoid, and how to check if it pays off.
Read article →Local SEO · 8 min readLocal link building for contractors: 15 ideas that actually work
15 safe, practical ways roofers, plumbers and HVAC companies earn local links, ranked by effort and value, plus the link tactics to avoid.
Read article →Strategy · 8 min readHow to audit your local SEO in 60 minutes (with a competitor scorecard)
A 60-minute local SEO audit that compares you with the top 3 map competitors and shows exactly what to fix first.
Read article →Technical SEO · 6 min readLocal business schema for contractors: a plain-English guide with examples
What schema markup home service businesses actually need, which type to pick, a copy-ready JSON-LD example and the mistakes to avoid.
Read article →GEO & AI Search · 7 min readDoes ChatGPT recommend your business? How to check, and what to fix
A repeatable way to check whether ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google's AI answers name your business, with test prompts and a fix map.
Read article →Google Maps · 7 min readGoogle Business Profile suspended? A contractor's guide to getting reinstated
Why Google suspends contractor profiles, what to fix before you appeal, and the evidence that gets a profile reinstated.
Read article →Strategy · 6 min readLocal Services Ads vs SEO for contractors: which brings cheaper calls?
How Local Services Ads, Google Ads and local SEO compare on cost per lead, speed and control, and how to choose.
Read article →Local SEO · 6 min readHow to get more septic pumping customers from Google: a 90-day plan
A 90-day plan for septic companies to get more pumping, inspection and repair calls from Google across a wide service area.
Read article →GEO & AI Search · 10 min readHow to get your home service business recommended by ChatGPT and AI search
More homeowners now ask AI tools who to call. Here is where those answers come from, and the practical steps that make your business one of the names they hear.
Read article →GEO & AI Search · 10 min readGEO vs SEO: what home service businesses actually need to know
Generative engine optimization is the new buzzword. What it really means for a roofer, plumber or HVAC company, and how it fits with the local SEO you already need.
Read article →Local SEO · 10 min readLocal SEO checklist for contractors
A practical, step-by-step local SEO checklist for roofers, plumbers, HVAC and septic companies. Check each item yourself, in order.
Read article →Google Maps · 10 min readHow to rank in the Google map pack
What decides which three businesses show in the Google map pack, and the practical steps contractors can take to get into it.
Read article →Technical SEO · 10 min readTechnical SEO for service business websites: the fixes that matter
The technical SEO problems most common on contractor websites, and how to find and fix them without a developer degree.
Read article →Content & On-Page · 10 min readHow to write service area pages that rank (without doorway spam)
How home-service businesses can create location pages for the towns they serve that are genuinely useful, rank well and stay clear of Google's doorway rules.
Read article →Strategy · 10 min readHow long does local SEO take? A realistic timeline
A realistic month-by-month timeline for local SEO results for home-service businesses, and what changes how fast you see them.
Read article →From reading to results.
Each topic links to the service behind it, for when you would rather have it done for you.
Local SEO
The full playbook for ranking a home service business in its own towns.
Google Maps
Google Business Profile, reviews and what puts you in the map pack.
GEO & AI Search
Getting named by ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews.
Technical SEO
Speed, indexing, schema and the fixes that let Google trust your site.
Content & On-Page
Service pages, area pages and copy that rank and convert.
See how it works for your trade.
Searches, AI questions and the plan for 61 home service industries.
Rather have it done for you?
Book a free strategy call. I will review your Google Business Profile, website, AI search presence and top competitors, and show you what I would fix first, whether you hire me or not.
Free · no pitch · you keep the action plan