5 Overlooked Local SEO Tactics to Give Your Home Services Business an Edge

When it comes to Local SEO, most home services businesses know the basics—like optimizing their Google Business Profile or using location-specific keywords. However, many business owners miss out on less obvious tactics that can give them an edge over competitors. By taking advantage of these often-overlooked strategies, your plumbing, HVAC, pest control, or landscaping business can dominate local search results, attract more leads, and grow your revenue.

Here are five overlooked Local SEO tactics to help your home services business stand out.

1. Optimize for Voice Search

More and more people are using voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa to search for local services. Phrases like “Hey Google, find an emergency electrician near me” or “Where’s a pest control company close by?” are becoming common. Unlike typed searches, voice search queries tend to be longer and more conversational.

How to Optimize:

• Use natural, conversational language in your website content, like answering common questions your customers might ask.
• Target “long-tail keywords” such as “best HVAC repair near me” or “affordable tree removal in [city].”
• Create FAQ pages that answer voice search-style queries like, “What’s the fastest way to fix a water leak?”

By optimizing for voice search, you can capture this growing audience of on-the-go customers.

2. Leverage Local Citations and Directories

Local citations—mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP)—are critical for building trust with search engines. Businesses often focus only on big platforms like Google and Yelp, but there are dozens of industry-specific and local directories that can help you boost rankings.

Where to Focus:

• Ensure your NAP is consistent across all platforms (even small ones).
• Get listed on niche directories, such as HomeAdvisor, Angi, or local business associations for services like plumbing, roofing, or junk removal.
• Include your business on mapping services, like Apple Maps and Bing Places.

Consistent, accurate citations across multiple platforms help Google validate your business, leading to better local search rankings.

3. Create Location-Specific Service Pages

Many home service businesses make the mistake of listing all their services on one generic page. Creating location-specific service pages allows you to rank for searches in multiple areas where you operate. For example:

• Instead of one HVAC services page, create targeted pages like “AC Repair in [City A]” and “Furnace Installation in [City B].”
• Optimize each page with unique content, testimonials, and project photos specific to that area.

These pages not only improve your Local SEO rankings but also help you connect with homeowners looking for services in their exact location.

4. Earn Backlinks from Local Sources

Backlinks (links from other websites to your site) are a powerful ranking factor for SEO, but many businesses focus only on general or industry-wide sources. To boost your Local SEO, target local backlinks from businesses, media outlets, and organizations in your community.

How to Earn Local Backlinks:

• Partner with local businesses to cross-promote content (e.g., a landscaping company collaborating with a fence installer).
• Sponsor local events, sports teams, or charities in exchange for a website mention.
• Reach out to local news sites or blogs to feature customer success stories, such as a home remodel or tree removal project.

Local backlinks signal to Google that your business is trusted and relevant in the areas you serve, giving you an edge over competitors.

5. Optimize for “Near Me” Searches with Hyperlocal Keywords

When customers search for home services, they often include “near me” or hyperlocal terms like neighborhoods or landmarks (e.g., “roof repair near Main Street”). Optimizing for hyperlocal keywords can help you show up for searches happening close to your business location.

How to Implement:

• Add neighborhood names, zip codes, and local landmarks to your content and meta descriptions.
• Include hyperlocal keywords in your Google Business Profile posts (e.g., “Our team just completed a kitchen plumbing repair near River Heights!”).
• Use blog content to highlight local projects or tips for homeowners in specific neighborhoods.

By focusing on hyperlocal keywords, you can connect with customers who are actively searching for services right in their area.

Ready to Dominate Local Search?

These overlooked Local SEO tactics can make a huge difference for home services businesses looking to stand out, attract leads, and grow their revenue. By optimizing for voice search, creating location-specific pages, and earning local backlinks, you can take your business to the top of search results where customers are looking.

At Spark Local Marketing, we specialize in helping home services providers like you dominate local search and connect with more customers. Call us today at 864-477-2111 to start building a Local SEO strategy that works. Let’s get your business seen, trusted, and growing!