5 Types of SEO Services for Local Service Professionals

Welcome to the world of blue-collar entrepreneurship, where visibility is often the key to success. You've worked hard to build your business and establish a loyal customer base, but in the vast digital marketplace, standing out can be a challenge.

As a local service professional, you may have heard about the concept of SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. It might sound like a complicated topic, something reserved for tech giants or big corporations. But the truth is, SEO can be a game-changer for small businesses like yours. It can help you reach new customers, grow your business, and become a pillar of your community.

Whether you run a plumbing company in a small town, an HVAC operation in a specific region, or an auto shop in your local area, investing in SEO can have a significant impact on your business. But with so many options available - from SEO agencies to digital marketing agencies, SEO consultants, SEO software, and all-in-one small business apps - it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

In this blog, we'll help demystify these options, explaining what they are, how they work, what they cost, and most importantly, what kind of return on investment you can expect.

1. SEO Agencies
2. Digital Marketing Agencies
3. SEO Consultants
4. SEO Software
5. All-in-One Small Business Apps

How Long Does It Take to Know If the SEO Service You Chose Is Working?

Regardless of the service you choose, you should be seeing some results in 3 months, with your best results by 12 months. You'll know you're seeing success when you see...

1. An increase in website traffic
2. More and higher rankings for search terms (keywords) you're trying to rank for
3. You're getting more and more leads and customers originating from your website

So if by 6 months you're not experiencing any noticeable difference in your business, it might be time to switch services or providers.

Source: GoSite Performance Dashboard - Try GoSite for Free!

No business owner likes to hear that it will take them several months to see a return on investment, so it's important that you choose the right SEO service for your business, industry, and budget. 

1. SEO Agencies

What SEO Agencies Are

SEO agencies are companies that can help your website show up better on Google and other search engines. They have a team of people (usually SEO and content experts) who are really good at making websites more visible and searchable.

These teams work together to help your website show up higher in search results, so more people can find it. If you're having trouble getting your website to show up on Google, an SEO agency might be able to help you out.

What They Do

SEO agencies can do a lot of different things to help your website show up better on Google. They usually help you figure out which words and phrases to use on your website (keywords) so that people can find it more easily.

They can also check your website to make sure everything is working correctly and that there are no problems that could be hurting your search rankings.

They can help you get links from other websites, which can also help your website show up better in search results. And they can even create new content for your website, like blog posts or videos, to help attract more visitors.

What They Cost

The cost of SEO services from an agency can vary depending on what services are included. Some agencies might charge between $1,000 to $20,000 per month, while others might charge smaller businesses around $1,000 to $2,500 per month.

What Results Could You Expect to See With an SEO Agency?

The outcome of SEO agency efforts can be different depending on the level of competition and the industry. A study conducted by Ahrefs discovered that only 5.7% of recently published pages make it to Google's Top 10 within a year, indicating that SEO is a long-term strategy.

That said, that study is older (2017), but it's one of the most exhaustive studies of its kind. Since 2017, Google has become much smarter, so some agencies are able to achieve tangible results faster.

Source: WordStream

2. Digital Marketing Agencies

What Digital Marketing Agencies Are

These agencies assist businesses in connecting with their intended audience on the internet. They provide services that extend beyond SEO, such as managing social media, pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, and other related services.

What They Do

A digital marketing agency can assist a business in enhancing its online presence. They aim to make your brand more visible and attract more customers by converting website visitors into paying customers.

The only difference from SEO agencies is that they are going to do much more than SEO tasks to grow your online presence. In fact, they're equipped to run entire digital marketing campaigns, including paid ads, social media, and even influencer marketing.

What They Cost

Digital marketing agencies are the most expensive of all the options we've listed. The cost can range from $3,000 to $20,000 per month, depending on the type of services provided.

Because of the high cost of digital marketing agencies, usually only the larger service business (such as multi-location, multi-crew operations) invest in them. But if you have a sizable marketing budget, these agencies are capable of producing very lucrative results.

What Results Could You Expect to See With a Digital Marketing Agency?

Businesses earn an average of $2 in revenue for every $1 spent on Google Ads. Your return on investment (ROI) will differ based on the digital marketing services you choose to invest in and your overall strategy. Digital marketing agencies should bring enough expertise to the table to help you exceed that ROI. 

For example, if you choose to invest $5,000 a month in a digital marketing agency, it would be reasonable to expect at least $10,000 a month in sales (once your campaigns have launched).

3. SEO Consultants

What SEO Consultants Are

A local SEO consultant is someone who can advise your business on the best ways to improve your website's ranking on search engines. They specialize in SEO and do not provide a wide range of digital marketing services.

What They Do

Consultants evaluate your current SEO plan (if you have one), determine where you can improve, and assist you in making those improvements. They may suggest keyword strategies, ways to optimize your website, and other helpful tips to enhance your SEO.

What They Cost

SEO consultants may charge by the hour (usually between $80 and $200), per project, or on a monthly basis. The cost of a monthly retainer can vary from $500 to $5,000, depending on the type of services provided.

What Results Could You Expect to See With an SEO Consultant?

The effectiveness of an SEO consultant's advice can be influenced by how well you put their suggestions into practice and the level of competition in your industry. Similar to other SEO investments, this is a long-term approach that can provide substantial return on investment if executed correctly.

4. SEO Software

What SEO Software Is

SEO software is a set of digital tools designed to help website owners and digital marketers improve their website's search engine ranking. These tools can help with tasks like keyword research, analyzing website traffic, monitoring backlinks, identifying technical SEO issues, and more.

By using SEO software, business owners can better understand how their website is performing in search engine results and make data-driven decisions to improve their SEO strategy.

What It Does

SEO software can have functions such as keeping track of important keywords, analyzing links that point to your website, and checking your website for SEO issues. Some SEO software can even suggest content ideas and help you evaluate your competition.

Source: Capterra

What It Costs

The cost of SEO software can vary greatly, but small businesses may be able to find options that range from $30 to $100 per month. However, more advanced SEO software with additional features can cost over $1,000 per month.

What Results Could You Expect to See from SEO Software?

The return on investment (ROI) of using SEO software is mostly dependent on how well you understand and follow the software's suggestions. It's most helpful for those who are willing to take a "do-it-yourself" approach to improving their website's SEO.

5. All-in-One Small Business App that Includes Online Presence Tools

What a Small Business App Is

There many different types of small business apps. All-in-one solutions that specifically help service professionals (aka blue collar businesses) usually do a number of things, including:

• Online booking
• Review request automation
• Mobile invoicing
• Instant messaging
• Online directory listing management
• SEO-friendly website
• Contactless payments

Source: GoSite

What It Does

As listed above, these apps seek to help the average small business owner accomplish more with less. They can allow a single owner-operator to do the tasks that normally a team of people might do, and that can include SEO-type services.

More specifically, small business apps like GoSite can build and grow your online presence. They allow you to claim and verify your Google My Business profile, launch a search-engine-friendly website and more.

What It Costs

While small business apps might start at around $50 per month, subscriptions that include SEO and online presence services typically start at $200 a month. 

That said, small business apps deliver far more than SEO services, some even offering contactless payments (like GoSite) and more.

What Results Could You Expect to See from an All-in-One Small Business App?

If you're limited with your marketing budget, a small business app like GoSite could be the perfect all-in-one solution you need to get a respectable online presence launched. Within a couple months of launching your online presence, you should begin receiving inbound leads (that is, prospects who found you by searching online and reaching out to you directly).

However, if you have a larger marketing budget, an all-in-one app will likely not be enough to help you achieve your marketing goals. In that case, you should consider one of the other solutions listed above.

Get the SEO Services Your Business Needs

So, there you have it - the world of SEO may seem complex, but we hope this article has provided some clarity. Whether you choose an SEO agency, digital marketing firm, individual consultant, SEO software, or all-in-one small business app, the key to success is patience, persistence, and continuous learning.

Each option has its own benefits and costs, so it's important to choose the one that fits your business's specific needs, budget, and time constraints. However, in today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business. Implementing a solid SEO strategy can attract new customers, enhance your local reputation, and ultimately increase revenue.

Investing in SEO is investing in your business's future. It takes time and effort, but the results are worth it. So, let this article be your first step towards greater visibility, recognition, and success. From a one-person operation to a regional powerhouse, every blue-collar business has a place in the digital world, and it's time for yours to shine.