You’re a skilled trades professional in Vancouver, serving homes and businesses across this vibrant city – from Kitsilano to Burnaby, Richmond to North Van. You know your craft inside and out. But when a potential customer in your neighbourhood whips out their phone to search for “emergency electrician Vancouver” or “landscaper near me,” does your business pop up?
If not, you might be missing out on a massive stream of qualified local leads. Local SEO isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the digital backbone for trades and service businesses looking to connect with customers right in their backyard. At Silver6 Marketing, we specialize in helping Vancouver trades pros dominate their local search results.
Ready to see if your business is truly optimized for local success? Let’s dive into our essential Vancouver Local SEO Checklist!
This is, without a doubt, the most critical step for any local business. Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is your free digital storefront on Google Search and Maps.
Are you missing these steps?
Claim and Verify Your Profile: Make sure you have full control over your listing.
Complete Every Section: This isn’t optional! Fill out your business name, address (NAP), phone number, website, hours of operation, and a detailed description. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for Google Maps directions!
Choose Accurate Categories: Select your primary and secondary categories carefully (e.g., “Plumber,” “HVAC Contractor,” “Landscape Designer”). This tells Google exactly what you do.
Define Your Service Areas: Crucial for service-area businesses like yours. Clearly outline the Vancouver neighbourhoods or municipalities you serve.
Add High-Quality Photos & Videos: Showcase your team, your completed projects (before & afters are gold!), your vehicles, and your workspace. Google prioritizes local imagery, so no stock photos here!
Utilize Google Posts: Regularly share updates, offers, news, and events. These show up directly on your profile and can drive engagement.
Why it’s critical: Google Business Profile is often the first thing a local customer sees. A complete, optimized profile can get you into the coveted “Local Pack” – those top 3 business listings on Google Maps that appear prominently in search results.
Knowing what your potential customers in Vancouver are actually typing into Google is paramount. It’s not just “plumber”; it’s “emergency plumber Vancouver” or “drain cleaning North Van.”
Are you missing these steps?
Brainstorm “Service + Location” Keywords: Think of all your services combined with “Vancouver,” specific neighbourhoods (e.g., “Kitsilano,” “Yaletown,” “Metrotown”), and surrounding cities (e.g., “Burnaby,” “Richmond,” “Surrey,” “West Vancouver”).
Consider “Near Me” Searches: People frequently use phrases like “electrician near me.” While you don’t explicitly keyword stuff “near me,” optimizing your GBP and mobile presence helps Google associate you with these searches.
Look for Problem-Based Queries: What problems do your customers have that lead them to search? (e.g., “no hot water Vancouver,” “clogged toilet Burnaby”).
Use Tools (Even Free Ones!): Google Search Console can show you what terms people are already using to find you. Google Keyword Planner offers volume insights.
Why it’s critical: Without targeting the right local keywords, your website won’t show up when local customers are actively looking for your specific services.
Online reviews are your modern-day word-of-mouth referrals. They are a powerful trust signal for both potential customers and Google.
Are you missing these steps?
Actively Ask for Reviews: Don’t just hope for them! After a completed job, politely ask satisfied customers to leave a review on your Google Business Profile. Text message or email follow-ups are effective.
Respond to ALL Reviews: Whether positive or negative, responding shows you’re engaged and care about customer feedback. For negative reviews, address the issue professionally and offer to resolve it offline. This can even turn a negative into a positive.
Monitor Review Platforms: While Google is king (hosting 73% of all online business reviews), also keep an eye on Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific review sites.
Encourage Photos in Reviews: A December 2024 survey showed that 51% of consumers look for reviews with photos, and 22% want to see before-and-after photos from customers.
Why it’s critical: 95% of consumers say they would likely trust a business that had a lot of online reviews. More reviews, especially positive ones, boost your credibility and ranking in local search results.
NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone Number. “Citations” are any online mentions of your business’s NAP, even without a link. Consistency across all online platforms is vital.
Are you missing these steps?
Ensure NAP Consistency: Your business name, address, and phone number must be identical across your website, Google Business Profile, and all other online directories. Even small discrepancies (e.g., “St.” vs. “Street”) can confuse search engines.
List Your Business in Key Directories: Beyond Google, make sure you’re listed on platforms popular in Canada and Vancouver, such as:
Yellow Pages Canada
411.ca
Yelp Canada
Bing Places for Business
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Facebook Business Page
Industry-specific directories (e.g., for plumbers, electricians, landscapers)
Clean Up Old/Incorrect Listings: If you’ve changed your address or phone number, ensure old listings are updated or removed.
Why it’s critical: Google cross-references your NAP information across the web to verify your legitimacy and accuracy. Inconsistent information can hurt your local ranking and confuse potential customers.
Your website needs to clearly communicate that you serve Vancouver and its surrounding areas, not just by mentioning it in your footer.
Are you missing these steps?
Create Location-Specific Landing Pages: If you serve multiple areas (e.g., “Plumber in Gastown,” “Electrician in Kitsilano,” “HVAC Repair in Burnaby”), create unique pages for each, detailing services and benefits specific to that area.
Incorporate Local Keywords Naturally: Weave your local keywords into your service descriptions, “About Us” page, and even your blog posts.
Blog About Local Projects & Community: Write blog posts detailing projects you’ve completed in specific Vancouver neighborhoods. Share stories about your team’s involvement in local community events. This shows authentic local engagement.
Use Local Imagery: Feature photos of your team working on Vancouver properties, local landmarks (subtly, if appropriate), or even just local street scenes.
Why it’s critical: This reinforces your local relevance to Google and resonates directly with Vancouver-based customers who want to hire local businesses they can trust.
Knowing what your potential customers in Vancouver are actually typing into Google is paramount. It's not just "plumber"; it's "emergency plumber Vancouver" or "drain cleaning North Van."