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Posts Categorized: Tips & Tricks

Home Services: Our Top SEO Tips for 2023

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under SEO, Tips & Tricks.

SEO tips for 2023

If last year taught us anything, it’s that digital marketing is a MUST for home services businesses. Why? Because people need your help, and they need to be able to find you.

Full stop.

Why the time is now for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is by far the most effective tool for making sure you come up first on Google and other search engines. And honestly, it’s the best-kept secret for all of the home service companies we see killing it out there while others struggle to keep up with the work they already have. If you’re ready to break into the next level of your business, we’re sharing our top SEO tips to help you get on track this year (and blow your competition out of the water). Let’s dive in!

#1 Be Specific

As soon as customers visit your website, the purpose of your website should be clear to them. Don’t confuse visitors with content about anything else if you offer home services. Specificity in your content will also help you choose the right keywords.

#2 Write Content for Humans

Your content should deliver valuable information to your site’s visitors. You can employ SEO tactics and use relevant keywords, but the old tactic of stuffing keywords to engage search engines doesn’t work anymore. Your first goal is to capture a customer’s attention and offer something relevant.

#3 Use Keywords Where They Matter

Start by identifying the keywords that will drive customers to your site. An easy way to do this is to think about what you personally would type into the search bar if you need help. There are a ton of tools that can help you find the right keywords you can add to your website, blog content, and even your social media. With video taking the lead this year, it’s important to think about using your keywords across channels to capture the most engagement and views.

#4 Remove Anything that Slows You Down

Your site has about three seconds to load before people click away and don’t return. If your website loads realllllyyy slowly, Google will notice and won’t send customers to your site as readily. Streamline your web pages to eliminate large graphics, extra plug-ins, and formatting that doesn’t do well on multiple devices. This is good advice for pretty much everything, in our opinion, and especially important for your SEO.

#5 Make Your Meta Descriptions Unique

Okay, if you’re already earning your degree in SEO basics, this one is important. Your meta description is the copy that appears after the title of your page or blog on Google, and it helps give a little more insight to entice that desired “click.” Each meta description should be a unique snapshot of what customers will find on that page. A well-crafted meta description helps your website rank in search engines and will incentivize people to explore your site.

#6 Create Keywords for Your Images

Imagery and video will be more important than ever this year, so an uncommon tip is to create image keywords for any imagery that lives on your website. It helps because many people find your website via image search, so being more intentional about the image title, description, attributes, and file name in the back end of your site can make a world of difference. We can show you how!

#7 Make Sure Your URLs are Easy to Read

This one can really help you. Keeping your URLs under 60 characters is an insider trick to making sure the search engines know exactly what your page is about so you’re more likely to show up first in a search. Plus, it’s just easier for everyone to understand where they’re going.

For example, which would you click on first? https://innovativeplumber/pages/listing/123/contactus.htm or https://innovativeplumber/contact?

Our bet is that you’d be more likely to click on the second one (and the latest marketing research is showing that most other people would too). So keep it simple!

#8 Link to High-Quality External Websites

If you’re writing a blog, it’s important to include a few links to high-quality content for your readers. Not only are they typically the most helpful resources that add a ton of value to your content, but external links also help give you credibility and incentivize high-quality sites to link back to you in return. Try only sharing links to relevant, trustworthy sites. For example, linking to a respected leader in your community is more effective than linking to a Facebook group. You get the idea.

#9 Add Helpful Internal Links

If you’ve captured the attention of a prospect through a page or a piece of content on your site, you’re already winning. To keep them engaged even longer, include some internal links that give them more helpful information to read or take action in some way on another page. For example, you might always include a link to your Contact page or point back to your services so you can earn their trust (and more points with search engines).

#10 Keep Your Content Updated

With the rise of AI and more and more businesses optimizing their content for SEO, it’s more important than ever to create unique, creative, and original content that stands out from the millions of words published online each day. A great way to do this is to include content that tells a story, and your blog/social media is the perfect place for this. Share stories from your customers, write about your own entrepreneurship journey, or include content that feels grounded in the present and truly helps the customers you want to serve


We’re Here to Help

You don’t have to figure out the nuances of SEO alone. Our team at LMH stays up-to-date with the latest SEO strategies so you can stay ahead of the curve. Contact us today to get started!

HVAC Content Marketing: 10 Blog Ideas

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under SEO, Tips & Tricks, Websites.

HVAC content marketing

Content marketing helps build trust with your customers as a trades expert. Posting relevant and informative content on your HVAC blog gives your customers confidence that you’re knowledgeable and professional in your industry, AND it helps you stand out on Google, Bing, and other search engines.  

If your HVAC business needs a helping hand in coming up with topics and content, these 10 helpful blog post ideas can help jump-start your content marketing campaigns. You’ll thank us later.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Dripping Water?

Talk about how when you see water dripping from your AC unit on the inside of your house that it’s probably a clogged condensate drain line. List ways to clear the line and when to call a professional. 

Should I Replace or Repair My Home’s Heating System?

Your home furnace has a life expectancy of about 15-20 years. Is it worth spending money on repairs or is it better to invest in a new furnace?

The Top Benefits of an HVAC Zoning System for Your Home

Discuss what home zoning is and the top benefits of having an HVAC zoning system. Save money, increased efficiency, and customize the temperature of each room for individualized comfort.

Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System During Bad Weather

When winter storms roll in, you’ll want to protect the outside portion of your HVAC system. List the necessary steps needed to weatherize the unit.

How Your Air Conditioning Unit Can Help Alleviate Allergies

If someone in your household has allergies, your AC unit can help relieve symptoms. The system acts as a dehumidifier, the filters trap dirt, dust, pollen, and impurities.

Should I Consider Having a Backup Generator?

You don’t want the food in your refrigerator to go bad, lose the internet, or be deprived of hot or cool air during a power outage. Discuss stand-alone or whole-home backup generators.

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

There are several reasons why your furnace is blowing cold air when you’re trying to heat your home. List several reasons — dirty filter, pilot light issues, etc.

Can I Use a Ductless Air Conditioner for My Sunroom?

Sunrooms can get too hot or too cool as the seasons change. Discuss how a ductless air conditioner can help keep the sunroom comfortable and usable year-round.

What Are the Different Types of Filters for My Air Conditioner?

You can put several styles of air filters inside your air conditioner. Discuss the various types and the benefits of each style. Fiberglass, pleated paper, spun glass, electrostatic filters, etc. 

How Often Should I Have My Ductwork Inspected and Cleaned?

Talk about what your HVAC system’s ductwork is and how important it is for the efficient heating and cooling of your home. Ideally, you should have a professional inspect, clean, and repair your ductwork every three to five years. 


Get Help with Your Content Marketing

Coming up with content marketing ideas may seem daunting for your HVAC business. However, with these 10 blog ideas, you’re on your way to helpful content marketing. 

You’ll gain valuable trust from your existing customers, be an authoritative voice for those seeking information about HVAC issues, and increase SEO visibility for your business. 

Get in touch with our team for more details on how to make content marketing work for you.

Unspoken Rules of Mediocrity (and How to Break Them)

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Tips & Tricks.

Unspoken Rules of Mediocrity - LMH Agency

I’ve always been kind of a rule-breaker. It’s gotten me into trouble from time to time. 

But more so, breaking the rules has allowed me to shift from mediocre living to a meaningful and super fulfilling existence. No matter the endeavor (from small business digital marketing to improving your life experience), there are a few “rules” that are outdated and counter to the limitless possibilities available to us as community leaders.

Rules Were Made to be Broken

If you’re into figuring out how to maximize your life, I have three rules you’ve probably heard of that you might be interested in BREAKING.

1. Don’t make waves. I’m not advocating for being a bull in a china shop (and certainly try not to be an a$$hole), but make the waves. Have a purpose. Find your team. Get clear on your vision and take action from a place of integrity. 

2. Listen to your friends and family. They mean well, but unconscious fears from friends and family can block your success and direction. Consider any input from your loved ones while using your own compass (and ideally strong data sets) to guide you. They’ll respect you for it. 

3. Don’t push yourself too hard. I’m not telling you to burn yourself out, but I am here to encourage you to find your edge. Push yourself to work smarter, not harder. Study the people you admire, emulate new business models, and take action in areas of your life where you might not be challenging your growth. 

Resources for Creating Your Own Rules

Review some of the cognitive biases and rules you typically follow that could be holding you back. To help you out with this, here are a few resources I love.

Read: Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller 

Listen: Impact Theory: How to Master Your Negative Thoughts and Use Them for Good

Life Hack: “The Two-Minute Rule” – If a task comes to your plate that will take less than two minutes (start to finish), just do it. This keeps your list of ‘“I’ll do it later” tasks from piling up. 

Cheers,

Danny Braught
CEO, LMH Agency

P.S. If you enjoyed this and would like to connect sometime, here’s a link to my calendar.

Integrity: The Intangible Key to Small Business Success

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Tips & Tricks.

small business digital marketing

For me, the most meaningful part of running a digital marketing agency for local businesses is not the day-to-day strategy. 

It’s actually in the coaching relationships we have with our clients. Not only does it help them grow through localized search engine optimization, it often leads to profound personal growth as well.

The Art of Integrity

A topic that comes up a lot is integrity. It’s a moral imperative and a highly lucrative one in so many ways. I read a quote recently that I really loved: “Integrity is the cure for unhappiness.”

It really got me thinking. Because it’s something we really encourage and practice around here—integrity, authenticity, quality, and serving our community. 

Leading with these values in mind can make a big difference in the way we approach our work and lives. 

And really…they allow you to have way more fun in the process. Just some food for thought as you pave the path to sustainable business growth and more predictable income.

A few great quotes to keep you motivated:

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”
– Simon Sinek

“Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.”
– Tony Robbins

“Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is. Know your business and industry better than anyone else in the world. Love what you do or don’t do it.”
– Marc Cuban

I’m also loving this podcast episode from Ed Mylet: Success Requires No Apologies, Failure Permits No Alibis

Cheers,

Danny Braught

CEO, LMH Agency
P.S. If you enjoyed this and would like to connect sometime, here’s a link to my calendar.

How to Get Lucky in Business (and Life)

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Tips & Tricks.

local digital marketing

Luck is an interesting concept. When you’re playing the Google algorithms to quickstart your growth, it may feel like local digital marketing for your small business is a bit of a gamble. 

I also think there’s another perspective to consider. 

So much of what we come to call “luck” in marketing is actually the result of thousands of micro-actions that add up to what’s possible in both your business and your life.  

Simply put—your daily efforts put you in a position where “luck” is more likely to find you. It’s about slowing down and optimizing the little things.

3 Tips to Improve Your Odds

Here are the top three lessons I’ve personally learned about luck that have changed my life (and might change yours too):

Be here now.
Distractions take us out of the present with our clients, family, or friends and can have us missing out on the golden moments of our lives. Limit them. Tap in. You’ll be surprised how much you can find.

Take action on small opportunities.
Such a simple concept that it’s easy to miss. When you’ve checked into what’s happening here and now in relation to your goals, moments of opportunities come up again and again. Pay attention and act when they arise so you don’t get left behind.

Visualize success.
Focus on what you want and, more importantly, why you want it. Visualizing where you want to go and your personal path to success can give you unshakeable optimism so you can find the right idea, avenue, or team and easily crush your goals. 

Get Even Luckier

Here are a few of my favorite tools that might help bring you more luck and success:

The Finimize App – This is my absolute favorite finance app that gives you tools and insights to make smarter financial decisions. 

Maximize Business Value Podcast: Things Business Owners Need to Know Pt 1

GasBuddy – Find the lowest gas prices in your area and save tons of money (seriously, you’ll thank me later). 

Cheers,

Danny Braught

CEO, LMH Agency

P.S. If you enjoyed this and would like to connect sometime, here’s a link to my calendar.

P.P.S. If you really enjoyed this, subscribe to our newsletter to get more content like this straight into your inbox.

Marketing Essentials for Plumbers and Contractors

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Paid Ads, SEO, Tips & Tricks.

As plumbers and contractors, you’re in a competitive industry where homeowners often have a plethora of local service providers to choose from. That’s why it’s essential for you to stand out, and we’re here to help. 

Smart marketing strategies can make the difference between rapid growth and lackluster results when your business is in this industry. Make sure these essentials are in place to give your company the best chance of success.

Effective Website Design

A well-designed website lends legitimacy to any company. In the United States, a whopping 99% of people report searching online for local businesses. 

Thirty-five percent conduct these types of searches multiple times a week, and 21% search for local businesses daily. 

A website optimized for SEO helps to ensure that you can get your business in front of homeowners who are actively seeking your services.  

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the process of incorporating appropriate keywords and content into your website to increase its search rankings on results pages. As plumbers and contractors, SEO will include words related to the specific services offered as well as the area that the company serves. 

Phrases like “plumbing repairs in Nashville” or “Louisville faucet installation” are important when marketing a plumber or contractor, as these are the terms customers are most likely to use when they’re actively looking for someone to hire.

marketing for contractors

Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile is a powerful tool that will increase SEO while giving your plumbing company even more legitimacy. You should always create or claim your Google Business Profile. After establishing ownership, you can update details such as services offered, service area, location, and hours. The business profile also provides a place for customer reviews so you can begin collecting testimonials.

Social Media Presence

A social media presence can provide access to billions of active daily users. Social sites offer the perfect platform for communicating with your customers. This is the ideal spot for sharing promotions, hosting contests, and answering questions. Companies that support community events or fundraisers can use social media to increase awareness of these activities as well. Social sites require ongoing attention to perform effectively, so you must make sure that someone is posting and responding to comments daily.

Paid Advertising

Paid advertising gives a little boost to the organic marketing efforts that form the core of your promotional efforts. This form of advertising is one of the most popular models for plumbers and contractors. By carefully conducting A/B tests and analyzing results, you can identify the tactics that yield the greatest ROI. It’s important to track not just clicks, but also conversions. Seek the campaigns that lead to the most actual sales and push these harder in the future.

These basics will form the core of any plumber’s marketing strategy. With a website, social media presence, SEO, Google Business Profile, and paid advertising in place, you can position your local company for success. Contact LMH for assistance with these strategies and more. We’ll be more than happy to support you. 

10 Home Services Marketing Tips

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Paid Ads, SEO, Social Media, Tips & Tricks.

Marketing your home services businesses is different from marketing brands with a national or global reach. When your business is targeting in-person services in a specific locale, you need equally targeted marketing campaigns to successfully reach and expand your audience. Try these tactics.

1. Maintain Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profiles are one of the first things customers see when searching for home services in their area. Carefully optimize this profile to include a comprehensive listing of services, complete details on the service area, and more.

2. Incorporate SEO

SEO for home services business

Target locally optimized keywords to reach leads who are actively looking for relevant home services in their area. Phrases like “plumbing repair in Des Moines” or “AC maintenance Boston” help target the right searches.

3. Streamline Your Website Design

A well-organized website is crucial for effective home services marketing. Include your company’s contact information at the top of every page. Make CTAs clear and actionable on every page, and provide detailed information on services and solutions provided by the company.

4. Invest in Paid Search

Pay-per-click advertising can boost business placement on relevant searches. Evaluate each PPC campaign for ROI to gradually hone these into the most effective advertisements.

5. Create a Social Media Presence

Social media sites facilitate interaction and relationship-building with local customers. Post seasonal home maintenance advice to establish your company as a reliable resource for homeowners in the area. Share promos, specials, and contests via social sites as well. Always respond promptly to interactions.

6. Solidify Your Branding

branding for home services business

Create a cohesive brand. This should include a recognizable logo, a distinct palette of two or three colors, and one or two typefaces. Use these across all home services marketing materials to solidify brand recognition.

7. Incorporate a Live Chat Feature

Add a live chat feature to the business’s webpage to grab and convert leads while they’re most interested in your company’s services. Failure to connect effectively at the first moment of interest can cost you sales while having an easy way to connect will help immediately convert leads to scheduled customers.

8. Craft an Email Marketing Campaign

Create an automated email marketing campaign that’s tailored to each customer’s journey. Schedule annual offers for tuneups when maintenance is due, or promote replacement units when the customer’s current installation is nearing the end of its life span.

9. Use Direct Mail Marketing

Direct mail marketing can complement an active online presence perfectly. Include a QR code on postcards to convert these traditional campaigns into easily trackable online leads. Drop postcards to relevant zip codes to increase sales in targeted areas.

10. Solicit Customer Reviews

Send thank-you cards to customers and request reviews on relevant sites such as your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews increase legitimacy and encourage sales from future leads. Implement one, some, or all of these strategies to increase sales for a home services business. LMH Agency can assist with a variety of marketing services in this industry, carefully tailoring each campaign to the unique needs and prospects of that individual business. Reach out to get started now.

Best Practices for Getting More Solar Clients

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Paid Ads, SEO, Tips & Tricks.

Your solar business is in a rapidly growing space, where competitors are continually expanding into or popping up for solar services. It’s crucial for your solar business to identify effective marketing strategies so you can connect with the right niche and convert interested businesses and homeowners into solar enthusiasts who are ready to install and grow their own solar installations. The following best practices will give your solar company a solid foundation for your marketing activities.

Build a Branded Website

Best Practices for Getting More Solar Clients - LMH Agency

Solar installations are trending simply because solar panels become more affordable and accessible. Though interest is high, many potential solar customers are still uncertain about the ins and outs of solar installations. Your solar company can build brand awareness and establish itself as a valuable thought leader in the industry with an informative and well-designed website. Best practices for your solar website include:

  • Creating organized content silos for different types of information so consumers and search engines can easily navigate the site.
  • Providing informative and easy-to-read content with facts, statistics, and actionable recommendations.
  • Including CTAs that explain exactly how customers can take advantage of solar installations and what they stand to gain.
  • Featuring consistent branding with a simple color scheme, one or two fonts, and an attractive logo.

Incorporate Targeted SEO

SEO solar companies

Solar businesses need marketing that targets both their services and service area. You must identify the best keywords and phrases and incorporate these throughout your websites in the form of landing pages, URLs, and blog posts. Videos are another powerful SEO tool. These are especially effective for solar companies that have some intriguing content to show pertaining to installations.

You can also boost SEO by making wise use of the Google Business Profile tool. Every solar business should create or claim a Google Business Profile for the company. You can then specify services, identify service areas, provide contact information, and link to your website. It’s even possible to make posts directly through the Google Business Profile which will further boost Google search engine success, particularly in your company’s locality.

Use Paid Advertising

PPC for solar companies

Paid search engine advertising is typically available through a pay-per-click or pay-per-thousand impressions model. Ads that target a well-defined local audience can lead to more conversions by keeping your business at the top of results pages when users look specifically for solar installation or repair services in your area. 

Paid social media advertising is another area worth considering. Paid ads on a site like Facebook can reach millions of potential customers. Facebook offers several levels of targeting to help businesses reach potential customers based on location, interests, and other demographics. With a well-constructed website, effective SEO strategies, and some well-placed advertising, your solar business can successfully establish its presence in this industry and begin building a satisfied client base. LMH Agency offers all the marketing services your solar company needs to get started.

5 Ways to Market Your Local Remodeling Business

Posted by Lokal Media House & filed under Paid Ads, SEO, Social Media, Tips & Tricks.

Marketing a remodeling business requires a thoughtful approach to web design, social media posts, SEO, and paid advertising. These highly localized companies must reach a relevant audience without wasting precious ad spend on individuals who are outside the service area or interested in the wrong services. Try these tactics to enhance your remodeling business’ marketing.

Enhance Web Design

A whopping 85% of consumers indicate that a quality website is important for businesses. In the remodeling business, this is especially true, as the right portfolio can easily make or break a sale. Your remodeling business should maintain an extensive collection of project photos so prospective customers can scroll through before-and-after shots and get a clear idea of what you can do. Other essential website features include:

  • Detailed information on the services offered.
  • Visible contact information at the top of the page.
  • Clear branding featuring your company’s logo, colors, and typography.

Incorporate Search Engine Optimization

Proper SEO can vault your remodeling business into one of the coveted first-page spots on SERPs (search engine results pages). SEO is a complex process that involves selecting the right keywords and links and incorporating them throughout the page in a natural manner. 

For a remodeling company, this will include detailed phrases pertaining to the specific services offered and the company’s service area. A thorough SEO marketing strategy addresses page titles, subheadings, meta descriptions, content, images, videos, links, and more. Claiming and optimizing your company’s Google Business Profile is an essential part of boosting SEO as well.

Invest in PPC Advertising

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising places your company’s website at the top of relevant searches. To develop an effective PPC campaign, you must consider the exact keywords that you want to compete for. Remember, broad keywords not only cost more, but they’ll also deliver less lucrative results. It doesn’t help to reach a national audience if the business only serves customers in the Chicago area. You can also exclude words from PPC campaigns so phrases that are similar but irrelevant won’t direct searchers to the business’ page. 

Create a Social Media Presence

Social media offers a high-traffic platform for businesses to interact with customers. Your remodeling company can easily keep its social sites active by posting photos before, during, and after a project. Beautiful remodels can organically garner comments, likes, and shares, boosting recognition for the business. 

Seek Customer Reviews

Customer reviews on pages like Facebook and Google Business Profiles lend a lot of legitimacy to businesses. Customers can share not only their experiences but their photos as well. Many shoppers feel these posts are more reliable than what the business shares itself. Consider making a personal follow-up with customers once the job is complete and soliciting reviews from those highly satisfied homeowners. Working with an experienced professional can streamline the process of setting up online marketing campaigns. LMH Agency offers a wide range of marketing services tailored to remodeling businesses. This includes personalized strategies for SEO, social media marketing, web design, and paid advertising campaigns. Contact our team today.