Local SEO Basics for Service Businesses

Why service + city wins

People search with a city attached when they want to buy: plumber Austin, salon near me. Competition is thinner and intent is hotter than national keywords.

The five foundations

• One focused page per service + city, with the keyword in the title.
• Complete Google Business Profile: hours, real photos, correct category.
• Consistent NAP: identical name-address-phone everywhere.
• Real reviews: ask after every job, reply to all of them.
• Local content: name the areas you serve.

What can wait

• Expensive ads before the foundations are done.
• 100 city pages at once — start with one city, measure for 3 months.

Local SEO is a short marathon: few competitors, won with consistency.