Roofing SEO Guide

I’m about to drop some serious knowledge bombs on how to transform your roofing website’s visibility in just two hours. I know, it sounds too good to be true, but trust me, these actionable tips will blow your mind. So let’s dive right into the world of roofing SEO and take your online presence to new heights!

Tip 1: Dominate Local Directories and Garner Five-Star Reviews

Local directory listings are the backbone of local SEO for roofing businesses. These listings, also known as NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) listings, are like golden tickets to better online visibility. Make sure your business information is consistent across all directories. To kick it up a notch, focus on securing five-star reviews. Why? Because Google uses these reviews to decide who gets the top spot on Google Maps. So go above and beyond to get as many glowing reviews as possible. Utilize platforms like Podium, Pulse M, or simply ask your happy customers for reviews.

Tip 2: Craft Irresistible Meta Titles and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions are the superheroes of your search engine results. These snippets play a crucial role in attracting clicks and boosting your website’s visibility on Google. But here’s the kicker: you need to optimize them strategically. Use tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to customize your meta titles and descriptions. Position your money-making keywords at the beginning, and blend in relevant terms to create compelling snippets. Leaving them empty or generic (like “Homepage”) won’t cut it. So take control and make these snippets work for you.

Tip 3: Harness the Power of Videos for Service Pages

Video killed the radio star, and it’s about to revolutionize your roofing website. Videos are an incredibly effective tool to engage visitors, increase dwell time, and convey your unique selling points in a flash. So grab your smartphone or even a DSLR camera, and start filming. Share short videos showcasing what sets your roofing services apart. Place these videos strategically on your homepage and service pages. By captivating your audience and keeping them on your site longer, you’ll leave Google no choice but to boost your rankings.

Tip 4: Unlock Backlink Magic with Guest Posts

Backlinks are like golden arrows pointing straight at your website, signaling its authority and relevance to search engines. One powerful way to secure backlinks is through guest posting. Reach out to high-domain authority websites in the roofing niche and offer to contribute valuable content. Make sure the websites you approach align with your industry and have a solid reputation. Craft compelling blog posts, including a mix of brand mentions, URLs, random text, and money-making keywords in your backlinks. Platforms like Outreach Mama, Authority Builders, and No BS.Link can be your gateway to guest posting success.

Tip 5: Create Comprehensive Content and FAQs for Service Pages

Google loves content that provides value and answers users’ queries. When it comes to your roofing service pages, beef them up with at least 700 words of high-quality, informative content. Blend in FAQs related to your services to augment your content’s depth and usefulness. Don’t shy away from using your money-making keywords strategically within subheadings and the opening paragraphs. Use tools like Google’s “People Also Search For” and “People Also Ask” to generate ideas for expanding your content. Address the questions your ideal customers have and establish yourself as an authority in the industry.

Tip 6: Establish Authority with Comprehensive Guides

Go big or go home! Google loves comprehensive content that covers every nook and cranny of a topic. So, it’s time to create some giant guides that will establish your roofing website as the go-to resource in the industry. Research what your ideal customers are looking for and take a guess at what would make their jaws drop. Then, dive deep into the subject, providing unmatched value and insights. Aim to make your guide at least 3,000 words long, ensuring it covers every aspect thoroughly. This not only improves your rankings but also boosts the visibility of related content on your website. It’s a win-win situation!

Tip 7: Optimize Your Website with Yoast SEO and Banish Thin or Duplicate Content

When it comes to optimizing your roofing website, Yoast SEO is your secret weapon. Install this powerful plugin and unleash its potential to banish thin or duplicate content from your site. Thin or duplicate content can water down your website’s appeal and confuse search engines. It’s time to take a stand and show Google your website means business. Yoast SEO makes it easy to identify and de-index unnecessary tags, categories, testimonials, and other irrelevant content. By cleaning up your website and eliminating any duplicates or fluff, you’ll ensure that search engines see your site in all its glory.

Congratulations!

You’ve just completed a crash course in roofing SEO that can transform your online presence in just two hours. By taking massive action and implementing these tips, you’ll witness a significant boost in organic traffic, higher rankings, and an influx of potential customers. Don’t let your competitors steal the spotlight while you’re left in the shadows. Invest the time and effort now, and you’ll reap the rewards for months and years to come. Stay tuned for the next lesson, where we’ll delve into the art of creating compelling content that converts visitors into loyal customers. Until then, keep climbing the SEO ladder and leave your competitors in the dust!

Step 1: Create or Claim Your Google My Business Account If your business has been around for a while, it’s possible that there is already a Google My Business listing for it. Simply search for your business name in Google and claim the existing listing. If your business is new or there’s no existing listing, create a new account.

Step 2: Verify Your Google My Business Account After claiming or creating your listing, you’ll need to verify it. Google may do this through a phone call, an email, or more commonly, by sending a postcard to your business address with a code on it.

Step 3: Update Contact Information Ensure that all your business contact information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your name, address, phone number, and any other contact information. If you make any changes to these details, update them on your Google My Business listing as well.

Step 4: Set User Permissions It’s important to set the right user permissions on your account. If you’re working with an agency, they should be given manager permissions while you retain full ownership of the listing.

Step 5: Set Business Hours List your regular operating hours, including any special hours for holidays or special events. This helps to avoid creating negative impressions from customers who might visit when you’re closed.

Step 6: Define Your Service Area Google allows you to define your service area by state, county, city, or a mix of these options. This is crucial for local search as it makes you more likely to appear in search results in the areas you serve.

Step 7: Upload High-Quality Images Add at least three high-quality images to your listing to give a good first impression. This could include pictures of your location, team, and the services you provide.

Step 8: Define Your Specific Services Clearly list all the services you offer. For example, if you’re a roofing contractor, don’t just state that you repair roofs; mention if you repair gutters, install skylights, and so on. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to show up in relevant searches.

Step 9: Add a Business Description Write a brief description about your business, touching on the human aspect. Include details like how long you’ve been in business, the communities you serve, and other details that make your business relatable and unique.

Step 10: Encourage Customers to Take Action Utilize the features of your Google My Business listing to direct customers towards valuable actions. For example, if you need customers to make a reservation or appointment, provide clear instructions on how to do so.

Step 11: Respond to Reviews Make sure to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Celebrate good reviews with thanks and try to make amends for any bad experiences. This shows prospective customers that you care about customer satisfaction.

By following these steps, you can effectively optimize your Google My Business listing for local search.

Hello everyone! In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of SEO for Google Maps. By the end of this post, you’ll be well-versed in six advanced strategies that will give you an edge over your competitors. But first, let’s lay the foundation with some basic techniques, then move onto the pro-level tips before we tackle those advanced tactics.

Basic Techniques for Google Maps SEO

1. Complete your Business Profile: Make sure you’ve filled in all the relevant fields on your Google My Business profile. This includes the correct service area, operational hours, and your website. Include specific offerings in the company description, using relevant keywords where appropriate.
2. Choose Relevant Categories: Add all relevant categories to your listing. This helps Google understand your business better and display it for relevant search queries.
3. Upload Quality Photos: This is often overlooked but can greatly enhance your profile. High-quality photos help your business stand out and attract more attention.
4. Encourage Reviews: Try to get as many great reviews as possible. You can even consider incentivizing your employees to encourage customers to leave a review.

Pro Techniques for Google Maps SEO

1. Respond to All Reviews: Whether they are positive or negative, respond to all reviews in a professional and cheerful manner.
2. Add Keywords to Reviews and Replies: If you have a good rapport with a reviewer, you can request them to mention specific keywords in their review. Similarly, consider adding keywords to your replies to reviews.
3. List Your Business in Other Directories: To increase your business’s visibility, list it in over a hundred directories. A link to a database of local directories will be provided in the article.
4. Create a Unique URL for Google My Business: Make your link in Google My Business something like ‘yourwebsite.com/?GMB’. This allows you to track how much traffic you’re getting from Google My Business.
5. Optimize Landing Pages: Create corresponding landing pages with keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions for each city you’re trying to rank in.
6. Use Click-Through Focused Language: Apart from including keywords, use language that encourages users to click on your result. Think about what you would click on and incorporate those elements into your titles.

Advanced Techniques for Google Maps SEO

1. Location-Based Keywords in Inbound Links: Include location-based keywords in the anchor text of inbound links to your domain. This signals to Google that your business is relevant to that location.
2. Local Link Building: Get inbound links from locally relevant domains, such as a local Chamber of Commerce or other local organizations.
3. Sponsor Local Events: This is a great way to get links from local websites. Simply search for local events or organizations that need sponsors.
4. Implement Local Schema: Use a plugin like Rank Math to set up your local address, phone number, etc. Rank Math provides local schema, a powerful tool for providing Google with clear, localized information about your business.
5. Use Local Keywords in Video Titles: Create videos with the city, state, and zip code in the title. Then, embed this video on your website. This provides another strong local signal to Google.
6. Use Geolocation Data in Images: With tools like geoimager.com, you can add geolocation data to your images, telling Google exactly where each photo was taken.

Now you’re equipped with some of the most effective techniques to boost your Google Maps SEO. Don’t just read about them, give them a try! Remember, ranking high on Google Maps is crucial for attracting local business, so put these tips into action and start climbing to the top of the rankings. Good luck!

Today, we’re focusing on the power of local business schema. We’ll discuss what it is, and how to effectively use it on your website to enhance your local SEO.

Unpacking Local Business Schema

Local business schema is a form of code applied to the back end of your website. It serves the crucial function of providing search engines with extensive information about the content of your page. When implemented effectively, it facilitates more informative, robust, and engaging search results for your business on Google.

Let’s dive right into how you can implement this powerful tool on your website!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Schema

Setting the Stage: Accessing Your WordPress Website Backend

This tutorial will have a WordPress focus. We’ll also briefly touch on a more technical method of implementing schema. First, let’s navigate to the backend of your WordPress website.

Enhancing SEO with RankMath

For our implementation, we’ll be using my favourite SEO plugin, RankMath. This all-in-one SEO plugin is essential for your website’s performance. To install RankMath:

1. Go to the “Plugins” section of your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for “RankMath”.
3. Install and activate the plugin.

You can find RankMath in the WordPress menu once it’s installed.

Setting Up Local Schema with RankMath

RankMath offers a comprehensive setup wizard. It guides you through the process of configuring the plugin, including the local SEO settings. Follow these steps:

1. Go to “Titles and Meta” under RankMath settings.
2. Navigate to “Local SEO”.
3. Fill in as much information as you can about your business.

This includes your company name, logo URL, email address, physical address, and business type. You can also specify your operating hours and provide links to your “About” and “Contact” pages.

RankMath even allows you to input your Google Maps API key and geo coordinates, providing valuable geographical information to Google.

Post Schema with RankMath

Now that you have your local schema set up, you can implement it in any of your posts:

1. Go to the “Posts” section of your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on a post to edit it.
3. Find the RankMath plugin section.
4. Navigate to the “Schema” tab.
5. Ensure the schema type is correct based on the content of the post.

RankMath offers a plethora of schema types to choose from, whether your post is an article, a product showcase, a recipe, or a video.

The Technical Route with Schema.org

For those with a technical background, schema.org, owned by Google, provides a more hands-on method for implementing schema. It offers common use schema types and clear instructions on how to integrate schema into your website’s code.

A comparison of a website backend with and without schema clearly shows the wealth of information made available to search engines through schema implementation.

Validating Your Schema with Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool

Google’s free Structured Data Testing Tool is an excellent resource for validating your website’s schema. Simply input your URL, run the test, and the tool will identify the types of schema on your website and any potential errors or warnings.

Wrapping Up

Properly implementing schema on your website is a must for any business aiming to increase its online visibility. Thanks for joining us in this journey, and we hope you found this tutorial helpful. Start using schema today and get your business found online!

Choosing the right SEO company is crucial for your business. But how can you tell if your SEO company is legit? In this blog post, we’ll provide some actionable insights, drawing from the experience of seasoned SEO experts, Tim Brown and Cody Warren.

Evaluating Your SEO Company: What You Should Know

Imagine visiting a doctor who doesn’t take their own prescribed medicine. Or observing their patients who remain sick. Would you trust them? Probably not. This analogy applies to SEO companies. If they aren’t practicing effective SEO for their own website or their clients’, it’s a red flag.

First Tip: Use ahrefs

Start by signing up for a 7-day, $7 trial subscription of ahrefs. This tool helps you investigate your SEO companies by allowing you to:

• See how many keywords they’re ranking for
• Calculate how much they would spend on Google ads for their traffic.

Case Study: Evaluating SEO Companies and Clients

Consider an example of a marketing agency claiming to provide efficient SEO services. Input their website into ahrefs and study the metrics. In our case study, the SEO company had a decent URL rating (20) and domain rating (50). But their traffic value was $1,200 per month, which is low for an agency offering SEO services.

In contrast, a good SEO company would have a higher traffic value. As an example, our traffic value is at $67,400 per month. We would have to spend that amount every month on Google ads to match the organic traffic we get for free from Google.

Understanding Key SEO Metrics

For SEO beginners, it’s helpful to understand the terminology:

• Domain Rating: Average value of how much power your website has
• Backlinks: Number of links coming to your site
• Referring Domains: Number of domains referring to your site
• Keywords and Traffic: Terms that your site ranks for and the visitor traffic it attracts

Interpreting SEO Metrics

When evaluating the SEO performance of your potential company’s clients, check if the keywords they rank for are competitive and valuable. If a client ranks for over 10,000 keywords but their traffic value is less than $10K, they might not be targeting valuable, competitive terms.

Evaluate the ROI on SEO

Also, consider the return on investment (ROI) from SEO. If a company is spending thousands of dollars monthly on SEO and getting a traffic value of less than $1,000, something is off. A good rule of thumb is to expect a higher return after a few years of consistent SEO work.

Watch Out for Fake SEO

Beware of fake SEO, which can manifest in two ways:

1. Companies pretending to have knowledge they lack
2. Companies that conduct audits but don’t do substantial work

While audits are valuable tools to outline improvements, they do not make someone an SEO specialist.

Conclusion: How to Determine if an SEO Company is Legit

To determine if an SEO company is legit:

• Use ahrefs to examine their website and their clients’ websites.
• Ask for examples of clients they have been working with for a few years to see their SEO results.

If you see clear results, it’s a good indicator that the SEO company is worth considering. Remember, it’s crucial to check the long-term results of their clients, not just the new ones.

To sum up, sign up for a $7 trial of ahrefs when looking for an SEO agency – it’s a great way to vet them.

Remember, your SEO company should be able to walk the talk. If they can’t manage their own SEO effectively, how can you trust them to handle yours?

When we discuss marketing methods, it’s common for clients to assume that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the be-all-end-all of tactics. Although SEO is a vital part of what we do at Hawk Agency, it’s far from being the only tool in our toolbox.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I want to share a brief story with you. As a beginner, I trudged around Uptown Minneapolis with a self-designed flyer, walking into businesses and asking, “Do you need a website?” I also traded services with a local magazine for ad space.

The point here is, to be successful, you have to be scrappy and willing to get creative. Local marketing is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but more of a combination lock. To crack it, you need to try different methods.

With that in mind, here are 20 powerful local marketing methods, excluding SEO:

1. Maximize Google My Business

• Regularly post updates, offers, and news about your business.

2. Consider Vehicle Wraps

• Turn your company truck into a moving billboard.

3. Yard Signs

• Get your message across by placing yard signs in strategic locations.

4. Leverage Event Marketing

• Attend or sponsor local festivals and seasonal events.
• Organize contests or other community events.
• Collaborate with other local businesses for joint events.

5. Build Effective Referral Systems

• Schedule regular follow-ups with your referral partners.
• Explore partnerships with complementary businesses.
• Join business networking groups like BNI.
• Always clarify what a great referral looks like for your business.

6. Tap Into Social Media

• Regularly post and share videos on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Use tagging to highlight partnerships and collaborations.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for business on your personal pages.

7. Testimonial Videos

• Share your client’s experiences through compelling videos.

8. Brand Videos

• Tell your business’s story and unique value proposition through engaging videos.

9. Encourage Online Reviews

• Motivate your clients to leave reviews on Facebook and Google My Business.

10. Master LinkedIn

• Establish yourself as a local expert and actively engage with your network.

11. Outreach on Social Media

• Connect with your ideal prospects on LinkedIn, offering value before selling.

12. Invest in Signage

• Let a large sign in front of your building do the talking.

13. Explore Radio Spots

• Consider advertising on local radio stations for wider reach.

14. Utilize Billboards

• Eye-catching billboards can create an impression in your local community.

15. Don’t Dismiss Cold-calling

• With the right approach, cold-calling can be surprisingly effective.

16. Run a Direct Mail Campaign

• Create compelling letters or postcards for a targeted mail campaign.

17. Speak at Events and Organizations

• Share your expertise by speaking at industry events or local organizations.

18. Leverage PR and Local Media

• Create newsworthy stories and connect with local media personalities.

19. Collaborate with Influencers

• Identify influencers whose audience aligns with your customer base.

20. Distribute Flyers and Business Cards

• Old school but effective, especially when targeting local customers.

Remember, the secret lies in creatively combining these strategies. For instance, you might organize an event, invite influencers, and create a referral system for them.

It’s not just about SEO – it’s about finding the right mix for your unique business situation. I hope this list inspires you to explore fresh marketing avenues. Have a great week and happy marketing!