Local Marketing Questions, Answered
Straight answers to the questions service business owners ask us most about the Google map pack, reviews, your Google Business Profile, and getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT. You could do most of this yourself. These answers show you how.
Jump to: Showing up in the Google map pack · Google reviews · Your Google Business Profile · Getting recommended by AI · Social media · Results, timelines and working together · Pricing and choosing who to hire
Showing up in the Google map pack
How does Google decide who shows up in the map pack?
Google says it ranks local results on three things: relevance (does your profile match the search), distance (how close you are to the person searching) and prominence (how well known you are, including reviews and links). You can't change distance. Everything we do works on relevance and prominence.
- Relevance: primary category, services, business description, website pages that match the search.
- Distance: set by where the searcher is, not your service area setting.
- Prominence: reviews (count, rating, recency), links, mentions across the web.
- Google states you can't pay for a better local ranking.
Why does a competitor with fewer reviews outrank me on the map?
Reviews are only one part of prominence, and prominence is only one of three factors. A competitor with fewer reviews can win because they're closer to the searcher, or their category and services match the search better. Count your reviews, but check your category and your distance first.
- Distance often explains it: the searcher is closer to them.
- Category mismatch is the most common fixable cause.
- Review recency matters, not just total count.
- Their website may have a page for that exact service and city.
- Check from several points around town, not just your office.
Why do I show up in my own town but not the cities around me?
Distance is one of Google's three ranking factors, so every business is strongest near its own address. Showing up farther out takes stronger relevance and prominence than the local businesses there: the right category, city and service pages on your site, and steady new reviews that mention the work and the town.
- Setting a big service area doesn't make you rank there.
- Check rankings from a grid of points, not one search.
- Build real service pages for the towns you want, not thin copies.
- Ask customers in those towns for reviews.
- Expect it to be slower than your home area.
Why doesn't my business show up on Google Maps at all?
Usually one of four things: the profile isn't verified, it's suspended, there's a duplicate splitting your signals, or the address or service area is set wrong. Search your exact business name first. If you don't show up even for that, it's a setup problem, not a ranking problem.
- Search your exact name in Maps.
- Check verification status in the profile.
- Look for duplicates (old addresses, old phone numbers).
- For service-area businesses, confirm the service area is set and stays within about 2 hours' drive, per Google's guidance.
- Brand new profiles can take time to appear.
Can I pay Google to rank higher on the map?
No. Google says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking. You can pay for ads that sit above the map, like Local Services Ads and Google Ads, but those are labeled as ads and stop when you stop paying. The map ranking itself is earned.
- Map pack: free, earned, slow to build, lasts.
- Local Services Ads: pay per lead, Google Screened or Guaranteed badge.
- Google Ads: pay per click.
- Many service businesses run both LSA and map pack work.
How do I check where I actually rank on Google Maps?
Searching from your own phone only shows your ranking from where you're standing. To see the real picture, check from a grid of points across your service area. That shows where you're #1, where you drop off and where the gaps are.
- Your own search is personalized and local to you.
- A grid check runs the same search from many points.
- Track your top 3 to 5 services, not just one keyword.
- Re-check monthly, not daily.
Does my website affect my map ranking?
Yes. Your website feeds relevance: Google reads your pages to understand what you do and where. A site with a page for each main service and area, working call buttons and fast mobile loading supports the profile. A broken or thin site holds it back.
- One clear page per core service.
- Name, address and phone that match the profile exactly.
- Mobile speed and a call button that actually dials.
- Link the profile to the most relevant page, not always the homepage.
What's the difference between SEO and the map pack?
The map pack is the box of three businesses with the map, driven mostly by your Google Business Profile. Regular SEO is the list of websites below it, driven by your site. They help each other, but they're measured separately and move at different speeds.
- Map pack: profile, reviews, distance.
- Organic: website content, links, technical health.
- Map pack work usually shows movement sooner.
- Report on each separately.
Competitors have fake listings. Can I get them taken down?
You can report them to Google. Use 'Suggest an edit' on the listing or Google's Business Redressal Complaint Form for fake businesses, keyword-stuffed names or fake addresses. It doesn't always work the first time, so keep a record and resubmit with evidence.
- Keyword-stuffed names and virtual-office addresses are the most common violations.
- Screenshot everything before reporting.
- Don't retaliate with fake reviews.
- Focus on your own profile at the same time.
How do I find the right keywords for my business?
Start with how customers actually describe what they need, then check it. Google's free Keyword Planner shows roughly how many people search each phrase and suggests related ones, and the 'People also ask' box on Google shows the questions people ask next. Pick phrases with real searches that match what you sell.
- List the words customers use on calls.
- Check volumes in Google Keyword Planner.
- Read the People also ask box for questions.
- One page or answer per main phrase.
- Include the town for local searches.
Google reviews
How many Google reviews do I need?
There's no magic number. The useful benchmark is the businesses already in the top three for your main search in your area. Aim to match them, then keep a steady flow. A few new reviews every month matters more than a big one-time push.
- Look at your top 3 competitors' counts and ratings.
- Recency matters: a review from last week beats one from 2021.
- A steady pace looks natural.
- Reviews that mention the service and town help relevance.
How do I get customers to actually leave reviews?
Ask every customer, at the moment they're happiest, with a direct link. That usually means a text right after the job is done, from the person who did the work. Most customers who don't leave a review simply weren't asked, or it took too many steps.
- Ask in person, then send the link by text the same day.
- Use the direct review link from your profile.
- One reminder after 3 days, then stop.
- Make it part of the job checklist, not a monthly campaign.
- Ask every customer, not only the happy ones.
What should the review request message say?
Short, personal, one link. Use their name, name the job, say it helps other people in town find you, and give the link. Three sentences is plenty. Don't offer anything in exchange and don't ask for five stars.
- Template: 'Hi [Name], thanks for having us out for [job] today. If you have a minute, a quick Google review really helps other people in [town] find us: [link]. Thanks, [Tech name]'.
- No incentives.
- No 'five stars please'.
- Send from a real person.
Should I reply to my Google reviews?
Yes, to all of them, good and bad. Replies show future customers there's a real person behind the business, and a calm reply to a bad review often does more for trust than the review did damage. Keep it short and never argue.
- Positive: thank them by name, mention the job.
- Negative: acknowledge, take it offline, no excuses.
- Reply within a few days.
- Never share private details (critical for legal, medical, therapy).
Can I get a bad Google review removed?
Only if it breaks Google's rules: spam, fake, off-topic, conflict of interest, hate speech and so on. You can flag it from your profile. Google won't remove a review just because it's negative, and anyone promising guaranteed removal for a fee is a red flag.
- Flag it through the profile's review management tool.
- Document why it violates policy.
- Reply publicly while you wait.
- Bury it with steady new reviews.
- Avoid paid 'removal' services.
Is it OK to only ask happy customers for reviews?
No. Google's policy says not to selectively ask for positive reviews or discourage negative ones, and filtering unhappy customers away first ('review gating') breaks that rule. Ask everyone. If the work is good, the reviews take care of themselves.
- Tools that ask 'how did we do?' and only send 4-5 star responses to Google are review gating.
- It risks review removal.
- Handle unhappy customers directly, but still let them review.
Is it legal to buy Google reviews?
No. Fake reviews break Google's rules, and in the US the FTC's rule on fake reviews, in effect since October 2024, allows civil penalties for buying or selling them. Google also removes them and can put a warning on your profile.
- FTC final rule on fake reviews and testimonials, effective Oct 21 2024.
- Includes reviews from people who didn't use the business.
- Incentives in exchange for positive reviews are also covered.
- The only safe path is asking real customers.
How do I get reviews when my clients expect confidentiality?
Ask the same way, but never confirm someone was a client in public and never add details in your reply. Some professions have their own rules on asking for testimonials, so check your licensing board or bar rules first. Many clients are happy to review if you make it easy and private.
- Check professional rules first (state bar, licensing board).
- Replies stay generic: 'Thank you for the kind words.'.
- Never reply with case or treatment details.
- Offer the option of initials only.
My website has great testimonials. Why don't those count?
Google reads reviews on your Google profile to rank you and to show stars. Testimonials on your own site help convince visitors, but Google and AI tools weigh reviews on other sites more because you don't control them. Move your happiest customers to Google.
- Site testimonials: persuasion.
- Google reviews: ranking and stars.
- AI tools lean on third-party reviews.
- Ask past testimonial-givers to post on Google too.
Do Yelp reviews matter, or just Google?
Google is still the one that drives the map pack. But Yelp matters more than it used to, because AI tools use it. ChatGPT gained access to Yelp reviews and ratings through a deal announced in July 2026. Keep Google first and don't let Yelp go stale.
- Google reviews drive Google rankings.
- Yelp now feeds ChatGPT local answers.
- Don't ask for Yelp reviews directly if it's against Yelp's rules (Yelp discourages soliciting reviews).
- Keep your Yelp info matching Google.
How many 5-star reviews does it take to make up for a 1-star?
It's simple math on your average. With ten 5-star reviews, one 1-star drops you to about 4.6. It takes nine more 5-star reviews to get back to 4.8. The more reviews you have, the less any single one moves you, which is the best argument for a steady flow.
- Average = total stars / number of reviews.
- Small review counts swing hard.
- A reply to the 1-star matters as much as the math.
- Offer a quick calculator on the site.
Should I be on industry directories like Psychology Today, Avvo or Angi?
Usually yes, for the main one or two in your field. People searching for your kind of business use them, they help Google and AI tools confirm who you are, and they often rank on Google themselves. Keep the details identical to your Google profile.
- Pick the top directories for your industry.
- Same name, address, phone, hours.
- Paid upgrades: test before committing.
- Ask for reviews where the directory allows it.
My Yelp page says 'unclaimed' even though it has my reviews. What happened?
Yelp pages can exist without an owner managing them, and older claims can lapse. Claim it again at business.yelp.com, update your info, and add anyone who helps you as a user. With Yelp now feeding AI answers, an unclaimed page is worth fixing.
- Claim at business.yelp.com.
- Update hours, photos, services.
- Add your marketer as a user rather than sharing a password.
- Don't ask customers for Yelp reviews directly (Yelp discourages it).
Your Google Business Profile
Which categories should I pick on my Google profile?
Your primary category is one of the biggest relevance signals, so pick the one that matches the service you most want calls for. Then add secondary categories for other real services. If your top service or your most-reviewed service isn't a category, you're leaving searches on the table.
- Primary = what you most want to be found for.
- Add real secondary categories.
- Check what the top 3 competitors use.
- Don't add categories for services you don't do.
What do I do about duplicate Google listings?
Find them, then have Google merge or remove them. Duplicates split your reviews and confuse Google about which listing is real. If the duplicate has reviews, ask Google to merge it into your main profile so you keep them.
- Search your name, old phone numbers and old addresses.
- Claim duplicates you can.
- Request a merge through Google Business Profile support.
- Don't just delete one that has reviews.
My services list is a mess. Does that matter?
Yes. The services list tells Google and customers what you do. Junk entries, duplicates or services you don't really offer bring in the wrong calls and dilute the ones you want. Keep it clean, specific and true.
- Remove fragments and duplicates.
- Only list what you actually do.
- Use the words customers search.
- Add a short description to key services.
Which phone number and hours should I list on Google?
One main number that's answered, matching your website and directories exactly. Hours should be the hours someone will actually pick up. Listing 24/7 when nobody answers at night costs you trust and reviews. Use special hours for holidays.
- One primary number, the same everywhere.
- If you use a call-tracking number, keep your main number listed as an additional number.
- Real hours only.
- By appointment: list the hours you take calls.
Why was my Google Business Profile suspended?
Usually because something looks like it breaks Google's guidelines: a keyword-stuffed name, a virtual office or PO box address, a big change made all at once, or a mismatch with your license. Fix the cause first, then file a reinstatement request with proof like a utility bill or license.
- Don't make more edits while suspended.
- Check name, address, category against guidelines.
- Gather proof of address and business.
- Submit through the official reinstatement form.
- Don't create a new profile.
Why do you need owner access to my Google profile? Do I lose control?
You shouldn't lose control, and you shouldn't give anyone your password. Google lets you add managers. You stay the primary owner and can remove anyone at any time. If a marketer insists on being the primary owner, that's a red flag.
- You keep primary ownership.
- Add people as managers.
- Never share login credentials.
- Audit who has access once a year.
Is posting on my Google Business Profile worth it?
It helps, mostly because it shows customers you're active and gives them a reason to call. Weekly is plenty. Use real photos of real jobs, and each post should say what you did, where and what to do next.
- Weekly posts are a realistic habit.
- Real job photos beat stock or AI images.
- Include the service and town naturally.
- Keep offers and events current.
- No phone numbers or links in the post text; use the call-to-action button.
Can I use AI images on my Google profile?
Real photos of your team, trucks and jobs work better. They build trust with customers, and platforms increasingly flag or hide AI-generated images. Use AI for graphics if you like, but keep the photos real.
- Real team and job photos.
- Geotagging photos is a myth-heavy topic, skip the hype.
- Add new photos regularly.
- AI graphics are fine for posts, not for pretending to be your work.
Does each location need its own Google profile?
Each real location with staff during business hours can have its own profile. A virtual office or a second address with nobody there can't, and trying it is a common reason for suspension. Service-area businesses usually have one profile for their base.
- One profile per staffed location.
- Each location needs its own reviews.
- Use a location page on the site for each.
- Don't create profiles for cities you only serve.
Are there other maps besides Google I should be on?
Yes. Apple Maps (through Apple Business Connect) shows up on every iPhone, and Bing Places feeds Bing, which some AI tools draw on. Claiming both takes an afternoon and keeps your info consistent everywhere.
- Apple Business Connect.
- Bing Places (can import from Google).
- Keep name, address and phone identical.
- Yelp and industry directories next.
Do I need social media if I don't want to make content?
You don't have to be a creator, but people check your social pages to confirm you're real and active before they call. A few posts a month showing real work, team and reviews is enough. Someone else can make it, as long as someone who knows the work reviews it.
- Social is often a trust check, not a lead source.
- Keep it current, even if light.
- Regulated professions: review every post before it goes out.
- Reuse answer cards as posts.
Can I change the photo Google shows of my building?
Sometimes. You can add your own photos and a cover photo, but Google still chooses what to show and may use Street View or customer photos. Add clear, current photos of the front of the building and your team, and add new ones regularly.
- Upload a cover photo and logo.
- Add exterior photos from the angle customers arrive.
- Street View images can't be edited.
- Report inappropriate photos.
Why does my old address or wrong info keep showing up online?
Two reasons. Old listings on directory sites stay up for years unless someone updates them, and anyone can 'suggest an edit' on your Google profile. If you don't review suggested edits, Google can apply them. Clean up the directories and check your profile's edit notifications.
- Search your old address and old phone number.
- Update or close old listings (Yelp, Apple, Bing, industry sites).
- Watch for Google's suggested-edit emails.
- Keep name, address, phone and hours identical everywhere.
Do I need a Google profile if I work with clients anywhere?
Usually yes, if you meet clients in person or serve a local area. It's what shows up when someone searches your name, and it's where reviews live. Set a service area that matches where you really work. Google says it shouldn't be more than about 2 hours' drive from your base. If you only work online with no in-person contact, you may not be eligible.
- Check eligibility: in-person contact with customers.
- Service area within about 2 hours' drive (Google guidance).
- A nationwide service area doesn't make you rank nationwide.
- Reviews still matter for name searches.
How do I remove my old marketing company's access?
Go account by account: Google profile, website, Analytics, Search Console, Tag Manager, ad accounts, social pages, domain and hosting. Remove users you don't recognize, move ownership to you before deleting anyone, and turn off any plugins or tools they installed only after checking nothing breaks.
- Make yourself primary owner first.
- Then remove old users.
- Check website plugins and scripts they added.
- Keep a list of who has access to what.
- Change shared passwords.
Getting recommended by AI
How do I get ChatGPT to recommend my business?
AI tools recommend businesses they can find clear, consistent, trusted information about. That means a complete Google profile, reviews on the sites AI reads, a website that plainly says what you do, who for and where, and your name showing up in other places online. There's no switch to flip.
- Say what you do, who for and where, in plain words.
- Reviews on Google and other sites AI uses (Yelp now feeds ChatGPT).
- Answer real customer questions on your site and in video.
- Consistent name, address and phone.
- Check what AI says about you monthly.
Can I pay ChatGPT to recommend my business?
Not in the answer itself. OpenAI started testing ads in ChatGPT in the US in February 2026, but it says ads are shown separately, labeled 'Sponsored', and don't change the answer. Getting recommended in the actual answer still has to be earned.
- Ads = separate labeled block.
- Organic recommendation = earned.
- Anyone selling 'guaranteed ChatGPT placement' is overselling.
- Same logic as Google: ads and rankings are separate.
Why does one AI tool show my business and another doesn't?
Each AI tool gets its information from different places. Google's AI uses Google's own data, ChatGPT uses its own search plus partners like Yelp, and others lean on other sources. Being consistent everywhere is how you show up across all of them.
- Different tools, different sources.
- Answers change from day to day and by how the question is asked.
- Test the same prompts monthly.
- Fix gaps where a tool is missing you.
Is SEO dead now that people use AI?
No, it's changing. AI tools still pull from websites, reviews, profiles and videos, so the basics of SEO are what feed AI answers. What's changed is that people get answers without clicking, so being the business AI names matters as much as ranking.
- AI answers are built from web content.
- Clear answers to real questions get cited.
- Measure AI mentions, not just clicks.
- Local map pack is still how people find nearby services on Google.
Can I just use ChatGPT to do my own SEO?
It can help you write, and you can absolutely do a lot of local SEO yourself. What it can't do is know your jobs, take your photos, ask your customers for reviews or fix your profile for you. Use AI for drafts, and put your real experience in.
- Good for: drafts, ideas, checklists.
- Not good for: firsthand proof, local knowledge, profile work.
- Generic AI content is easy to spot and adds nothing.
- The shortcut is someone who does the work every week.
How do I show up in Google's AI Overviews?
AI Overviews pull from pages that clearly answer the question being asked. For a local business, that means pages that answer your customers' real questions in plain language, backed by a strong Google profile and reviews. Write the answer first, then the detail.
- One clear question, one direct answer near the top.
- Firsthand detail and examples.
- Keep profile and site consistent.
- There's no opt-in or paid placement.
Is AI search work a one-time fix or ongoing?
Mostly ongoing. The setup is one-time: a clean profile, consistent listings, clear pages. But AI answers keep updating, competitors keep adding reviews and content, so you need new reviews, fresh answers and a monthly check of what AI says about you.
- One-time: setup and cleanup.
- Ongoing: reviews, content, monitoring.
- Budget for maintenance, not a project.
Why don't AI-written posts sound like me?
Because AI writes the average of everything, not you. It needs your real voice notes, examples of what you'd say, and a person reviewing every post before it goes out. Pictures need the same check. Nothing should post in your name without someone who knows you signing off.
- Feed it your own writing and phrases.
- Human review before anything posts.
- Match images to the topic, real photos where possible.
- Pause automation when quality slips.
Social media
Why isn't my Instagram getting engagement?
Usually the posts look nice but don't give people a reason to respond. Mix in questions, before-and-afters, short videos and real faces, and write a first line that makes someone stop. Instagram shows posts to more people when the first viewers react, so posts that start conversations reach further.
- Hook in the first line.
- Vary formats: reels, carousels, polls.
- Ask a question people can answer in one word.
- Measure saves, shares and comments, not just likes.
- Stop repeating formats that get nothing.
Results, timelines and working together
How will I know if my marketing is actually working?
Track calls, form fills and booked jobs, not just views. A good monthly report shows where you rank, how many people called or asked for directions, and ideally how many turned into work. If you can't tell whether it's working, the reporting is the problem.
- Leading: rankings, profile views.
- Real: calls, messages, direction requests, forms.
- Best: booked jobs and revenue by source.
- Ask 'how did you find us' on every call.
Google says my views are way up. Why is business slow?
Views aren't customers. Views can rise from people browsing, bots or searches that don't fit, while calls stay flat because of the season, pricing, response time or who's answering the phone. Look at calls and booked jobs, and check how fast you answer.
- Separate views from actions (calls, directions, website clicks).
- Compare to the same month last year for seasonality.
- Check missed calls and response time.
- Be honest with clients when this happens.
How long does it take to show up in the map pack?
Nobody can promise a date. Fixing profile setup problems can show up quickly, but most businesses should expect a few months of steady work before map pack results are clear, and organic website rankings usually take longer. Anyone guaranteeing a timeline is guessing.
- Setup fixes: fastest.
- Map pack: usually months, not weeks.
- Website SEO: longer, often around six months before big changes.
- Competition and distance change everything.
What do you need from me, and how much of my time?
Access to your Google profile and website, a short kickoff call, and a way to get real job photos and customer contacts for review requests. After that it's a few minutes a week. Most delays come from waiting on access, so we get that done first.
- Week 1: access and kickoff.
- Ongoing: photos, answering calls, approving posts.
- Order: fix setup, then reviews, then content.
- Monthly check-in.
I keep getting mailers saying I don't show up in my area. Are they right?
Sometimes, but they're built to scare you into a call. Check it yourself: search your main service from a few spots in your area, look at your profile and count your recent reviews. If the report doesn't show where they checked from, it's not worth much.
- Ask where and how they checked.
- Run a grid check.
- Look at recent reviews and category.
- Don't sign anything based on a scare report.
If I hire you, do I have to let my current marketing people go?
Not always. It depends on what each one does. If someone does the same job, you'd usually replace them so you're not paying twice. If they do something different, like building your website, we can work alongside them. The key is that one person owns each job, so nothing falls through.
- List every vendor and what they actually do each month.
- Overlap: replace.
- Different job: coordinate.
- One owner per job.
- Make sure you own your accounts before anyone leaves.
Is this a one-time project or does it go on forever?
Both parts exist. Cleaning up your profile, listings and site is a one-time job. Keeping it working is ongoing, because Google changes, competitors keep adding reviews and content, and AI tools keep updating. Month to month means you decide how long it stays worth it.
- One-time: setup and cleanup.
- Ongoing: reviews, posts, content, monitoring.
- Set a review point, for example 90 days.
- See AI-07 for the AI side.
My website company controls my site. Can you still fix things?
Usually, yes. Some website companies give you admin access so changes can be made directly. Others want a list of changes and make them themselves. Either way works, as long as someone actually makes the changes and you can check they're done.
- Ask your provider for admin or editor access.
- If they won't, get a written change list done by a set date.
- Make sure you own your domain.
- Check every change after it's made.
Calls and clicks are up. How do I know they turned into customers?
Close the loop between marketing and bookings. Track calls and forms to the source, then match them to booked jobs or reservations, even with a simple tally at the front desk if the booking system can't connect. Without that last step, nobody can tell whether marketing is working.
- Call tracking and form tracking by source.
- Match to bookings: CRM, booking system or a manual tally.
- Ask 'how did you hear about us' every time.
- Review monthly next to the marketing report.
Why do leads go nowhere after marketing brings them in?
Most of the time it's what happens after the lead arrives. Missed calls, slow replies and no follow-up waste leads you already paid for. Answer every call during business hours, reply to forms within minutes, and follow up more than once. Local Services Ads also track how responsive you are.
- Answer live during business hours.
- Missed-call text back.
- Reply to web leads fast.
- A written follow-up routine for staff.
- Show staff what each lead cost to bring in.
Someone told me my website is a disaster. Do I need a new one?
Maybe not. A nicer website only helps if people can find it and it turns visitors into calls. Check the foundation first: your Google profile, listings, reviews and whether your pages match what people search. Redesign when the site is slow, broken on phones or can't be edited, not because someone sent a scary email.
- Is it found? Profile, listings, rankings.
- Does it convert? Clear phone number, forms, speed on mobile.
- Only then: does it look dated?.
- Be wary of cold emails that insult the site to sell a redesign.
Will fixing these small technical things really make a difference?
Often, yes, because Google reads the small things. A wrong old address, a missing category or mismatched phone numbers tell Google it can't be sure about you. Fixing them won't make you famous overnight, but they're cheap, fast and they remove reasons for Google to rank someone else first.
- Fix the free, fast items first.
- Measure before and after: calls, direction requests, rankings.
- Don't expect a single fix to change everything.
- Keep a change log so you know what moved the numbers.
Pricing and choosing who to hire
How much should local SEO cost?
Most small service businesses pay a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars a month. What drives it: how competitive your trade and town are, how many locations you have, and whether it includes reviews, content and the website. For reference, Movou's Google profile plans (Local3) are $299, $399 and $599 a month, and full-service plans start at $599. All month to month.
- Price drivers: competition, locations, scope.
- What's included matters more than the number.
- Red flags: no price given, long contracts, guaranteed rankings.
- Local3 plans: Starter $299, Professional $399, Enterprise $599 a month, no contracts.
- Movou full-service plans: Essential $599, Extended $899, Enterprise $1,599 a month.
Is local SEO worth it for a small business like mine?
If your customers search for your service nearby, usually yes, because the map pack is where those calls come from. The check is simple: what's one new customer worth to you, and how many a month would pay for the work? If one or two jobs covers it, it's worth testing.
- Do the math on one customer's value.
- Start with the fixes that cost nothing.
- Month to month so you can stop.
- Not worth it if you can't handle more work.
Why is someone else so much cheaper?
Usually because they're doing less, or doing the same thing for everyone. Ask exactly what happens each month, who does it and how you'll see it. Cheap isn't bad and expensive isn't good. The question is what you get for the money.
- Ask for the monthly task list.
- Ask who does the work.
- Ask what reporting looks like.
- Compare scope, not price.
Am I locked into a contract?
You shouldn't have to be. Month to month with 30 days' notice means the company has to earn your business every month. Long contracts protect the seller, not you.
- Movou and Local3 plans are month to month.
- Ask who owns the profile, site and content if you leave.
- Get it in writing.
How do I choose someone to do my local marketing?
Look for someone who tells you the price, explains the work in plain words, shows you results for businesses like yours and doesn't lock you in. Ask what they'll do in the first 30 days. Walk away from guaranteed rankings and anyone who wants to own your Google profile.
- Questions to ask:.
- What exactly happens each month?.
- Who owns my profile and site?.
- How will I see results?.
- Can I cancel anytime?.
- Examples in my industry? Red flags: guarantees, hidden price, long contract, taking ownership.
Can you show me results for businesses like mine?
We can show you the work and what changed, within what each client lets us share. Ask any marketer for examples in your industry and your size, and ask what didn't work too. Real examples include the messy parts.
- Ask for examples in your industry and your size.
- Ask what didn't work, too.
- Expect some details to stay private; clients don't all want their numbers shared.
Should I spend on Local Services Ads or the map pack first?
If you need calls this month, Local Services Ads work faster because you pay per lead. If you want calls that don't stop when the budget stops, build the map pack. Many service businesses do both, with ads covering the gap while the map pack builds.
- LSA: fast, pay per lead, stops when you stop.
- Map pack: slower, earned, lasting.
- Both use your reviews.
- Check LSA eligibility for your trade.
Is my ad budget too small?
It depends on what a click costs in your trade and town, not on a magic number. If your budget runs out by mid-morning, you're missing most searches. A smaller budget can still work if it's focused on your best services, your closest area and your busiest hours.
- Check if campaigns are 'limited by budget'.
- Narrow keywords and area before adding money.
- Fix tracking first so you know what's working.
- Compare cost per booked customer to what a customer is worth.
Can I pay for a one-time cleanup instead of a monthly plan?
Often yes. A one-time project can fix your profile, listings and the biggest website problems. What it can't do is keep reviews coming, keep posting or keep up with changes. Many owners start with the cleanup, see what moves, then decide on ongoing help.
- Project: setup and fixes with a fixed scope and price.
- Ongoing: reviews, posts, content, reporting.
- Ask for milestones and a finish date on any project.
Want someone to look at yours?
Get a free local SEO assessment at local3.io, or book a discovery call and we’ll walk through what’s holding your business back.