Did you know that 78% of mobile local searches lead to an offline purchase? That means people looking for services like yours online are likely to pick up the phone and call or even schedule an appointment in real life. The digital landscape is changing fast, and local service listings have become an essential part of getting business. But simply being listed isn’t enough – you need to manage your listings correctly to stand out and win customers.
Managing local service listings is more than just checking a box. It’s about keeping your business visible and accessible. Whether you’re in plumbing, landscaping, or roofing, having the right local listings can make all the difference.
Why Local Service Listings Matter
First things first: why should you care about local service listings?
Here’s the deal: when someone searches for a service like yours, they’re usually looking for businesses nearby. Local service listings are what show up when people search “plumber near me” or “best landscaper in [city].”
Here are a few stats that’ll grab your attention:
- 78% of mobile local searches lead to an offline purchase
- 91% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase
This means your local service listings can seriously impact whether someone decides to call you or skip over to the competition.
If your information is incorrect or incomplete, potential customers might end up calling someone else. So, it’s crucial to manage your listings well to make sure you’re visible when it matters.
Tip #1: Keep Your Information Accurate and Up-to-Date
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage your listings is to make sure your business details are 100% accurate. When you’re listed on multiple platforms, even small discrepancies can hurt your credibility.
What should you keep up-to-date?
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website link
- Business hours
Google, Yelp, Facebook, and all these platforms rely on consistent, up-to-date information. If your address is listed differently on Google and Yelp, it can confuse search engines – and your customers. If your business hours are wrong, you risk losing out on clients who show up or call at the wrong time.
Why this matters
A consistent listing across all platforms boosts your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It makes it easier for people to find you online, and search engines like Google give more importance to businesses that maintain consistency.
Here’s a quick personal anecdote: A while ago, I forgot to update my phone number on one of the platforms. It wasn’t a huge deal, I thought – but I started getting frustrated calls from potential clients who couldn’t get in touch with me. After that, I made it a habit to check my listings every month.
Tip #2: Leverage Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are your digital word-of-mouth.
Here’s what you can do:
- Ask happy customers for reviews: It’s simple. If you’ve just completed a job and your client is happy, ask them to leave a review. You can even send a polite follow-up email with a link.
- Respond to all reviews, good or bad: It shows you care. When someone leaves a positive review, thank them! When someone leaves a negative review, apologize and try to fix the issue publicly.
Why this matters
Responding to reviews and showing customers you’re listening can improve your rankings in local search results. The more positive feedback you have, the more likely new clients will trust you.
Pro Tip
Don’t hesitate to ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. I used to feel awkward doing it, but I’ve learned that most people are happy to help. Just make it easy for them – send a quick link.
Tip #3: Use Photos and Videos to Show Off Your Work
A picture really is worth a thousand words. When it comes to local service listings, photos and videos help potential customers see the quality of your work.
Here’s how to make the most of visual content:
- Before and after shots: Show your work! Whether you’re fixing plumbing issues or landscaping a yard, showing how much improvement you’ve made will grab attention.
- Project time-lapses or videos: A video of your work in action, or a time-lapse of a project, gives a behind-the-scenes look at your skills and work ethic.
Why this matters
- People are more likely to hire you if they can see your work upfront.
- Visual content helps your listing stand out.
A picture of a freshly cleaned driveway or a beautifully landscaped garden could be the reason someone decides to reach out to you.
Tip #4: Stay on Top of Your Local SEO
Local SEO is the process that makes sure your business shows up in local search results when someone looks for services like yours. SEO is crucial, and local SEO is what gets your business in front of the people who are most likely to hire you.
Here’s how you can get your local SEO right:
- Claim your Google My Business listing: If you haven’t done this yet, do it now. Google My Business is free, and it’s one of the best ways to improve your local search ranking.
- Use relevant keywords: Make sure to use location-specific keywords in your listings. For example, instead of just “plumber,” use “plumber in [City]” or “best plumbing services in [City].”
- Keep your NAP consistent: NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. As mentioned earlier, your NAP should be consistent across all platforms for better SEO.
Why this matters
Local searches lead 50% of mobile users to visit a store within one day. If you’re not optimizing your local listings, you’re missing out on a ton of business.
Stat to Remember
50% of mobile users visit a store after making a local search (Source: Google). By making sure your business is listed correctly, you’re increasing the chances that people will visit you.
How to Do This Without Stress
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to handle your local listings, but you do need to stay consistent. Set a reminder to check your listings once a month and update them as needed.
How Field service software Helps with Local Listings
If you’re managing a service business, you’re likely juggling a lot. Field Promax is a Field service software tool that helps you keep your field operations running smoothly, and it also helps manage your listings. It integrates scheduling, dispatching, and managing customer info, ensuring your local listings stay up-to-date. With Field Promax, you can focus on delivering great service while keeping track of your business online presence. Whether your business involves maintaining cloud VPS systems, or general IT infrastructure, Field Promax helps you stay organized while keeping your services visible to potential clients.
Why You Need Field Promax
By streamlining your operations with Field Promax, you can save time on administrative tasks and avoid getting bogged down by listing updates and customer inquiries. It ensures your business info stays consistent across all platforms, so you never miss a potential client.
Wrapping Up
Managing your local service listings doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes attention to detail, consistency, and a little effort to stay engaged with your clients. Here’s a quick recap:
- Keep your info accurate across all platforms.
- Leverage customer reviews to build trust.
- Use photos and videos to show your work and stand out.
- Stay on top of your local SEO to ensure you’re visible when it counts.
The more effort you put into managing your listings, the more likely you are to attract local clients who need your services. And remember, with tools like Field Promax, you can simplify the process and ensure that your online presence is always in top shape.
By following these tips, you’ll improve your chances of being seen by the right people at the right time. Local service listings may seem like a small part of the business, but they can have a huge impact on your success. So get started today – update your listings, engage with your clients, and keep your business shining online.