SEO, AEO & GEO

1. 1

   Research and plan

   Start with a list of the services you sell and the towns you serve. Then write down the exact words customers use when they search or ask for help, such as "water heater repair Post Falls" or "who installs heat pumps near me." Group those words so each service and each main town gets its own page.

   Good research keeps you from writing pages nobody searches for. Use no-cost sources first. Look at Google's suggestions as you type, the "People also ask" box, the questions customers ask you on the phone, and the search terms report in Google Search Console once your site has some traffic.

   • List every service and town you serve
   • Write down the words customers really use
   • Give each main service its own page
   • Keep the plan in one simple spreadsheet
2. 2

   On each page

   Give every page one clear job and say it in the title tag, the main heading and the first sentence. Answer the customer's question near the top in plain words, then add the details, the price approach, the service area and a clear way to call or book.

   Use your business name, address and phone number the same way on every page and on your Google Business Profile. Add short, honest descriptions to images. Link related pages to each other so a reader and a search engine can follow the trail from a service to the towns you serve.

   • Write a unique title tag for each page
   • Answer the main question in the first lines
   • Add a call or book button on every page
   • Link each service page to related pages
3. 3

   Crawling and indexing

   Make sure search engines can reach and store your pages. Verify your site in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, submit your XML sitemap in both, and check the page indexing report for errors.

   A single wrong setting can hide a whole site. Look at your robots.txt file and remove any noindex tag that was left on from building the site. Fix broken links and pages that return errors. When you change a page address, set up a 301 redirect from the old address so you keep the visitors and links it earned.

   • Verify the site in Search Console and Bing
   • Submit your XML sitemap to both
   • Remove leftover noindex tags after launch
   • Redirect any old page address with a 301
4. 4

   Speed and phones

   Build for the phone first, because most local customers find you on one. Test a few key pages with Google PageSpeed Insights and fix what it flags, starting with large images, slow hosting and extra scripts you do not need.

   A fast page keeps people from leaving before they call. Shrink photos before you upload them, use a modern image format, and limit pop-ups and heavy sliders. Check that buttons are easy to tap, text is easy to read without zooming and your phone number starts a call when tapped.

   • Test key pages in PageSpeed Insights
   • Compress photos before uploading them
   • Make the phone number tap to call
   • Remove scripts and plugins you do not use
5. 5

   Structured data

   Add schema markup so search engines can read your key facts without guessing. For most local businesses that means LocalBusiness markup with your name, address, phone, hours and service area, plus Service markup on service pages. Google no longer shows FAQ rich results, so FAQPage markup is optional, but plain questions and answers on the page still help readers.

   The markup must match what a visitor sees on the page. Do not mark up reviews you wrote yourself or facts that are not shown. Test each page with the Schema Markup Validator and Google's Rich Results Test, then fix any errors before you move on.

   • Add LocalBusiness markup to the home page
   • Mark up each service on its own page
   • Match markup to what the page shows
   • Test with the Schema Markup Validator
6. 6

   Trust and content

   Show real proof that a real business stands behind the site. Add an about page with the owner's name and photo, your license and insurance details where they apply, real project photos, honest reviews and clear contact details.

   Write content that answers the questions customers ask before they hire you. Explain costs in general terms, how the job works, how long it takes and what can go wrong. Keep it accurate and update it when your prices, service area or methods change. Thin pages copied from other sites build no trust with people or search engines.

   • Add an about page with the owner's name
   • Show license and insurance details if required
   • Use your own job photos, not stock
   • Answer real customer questions in writing
7. 7

   Answer-ready pages and tracking

   Write so a search tool can quote you. Put a short, direct answer at the top of each page, use clear headings and keep your business facts the same across your site, Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Business and ChatGPT Business Hub.

   Then track what happens. Use Google Search Console for search terms and clicks, an analytics tool such as Google Analytics for visits and form fills, and call tracking if phone calls matter. Ask new customers how they found you and note what they say. Review the numbers each month and fix the weakest page first.

   • Put a short direct answer atop each page
   • Keep business facts the same everywhere
   • Ask every new customer how they found you
   • Review search and lead numbers monthly

General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. See the Disclaimer.