I have received many questions about SEO lately. What it is? Where it is? What does it do? A lot of my ideal clients here in the Triangle area are Home Repair Professionals, so I will answer these questions keeping their business in mind. And here it is:

Dear Home Repair guy, Want more home repair jobs? SEO helps Google find your website for homeowners searching for services like yours nearby. Think of it as making it easy for them to find you when they have a problem! Here's the simple breakdown: what's on your site, what's behind the scenes, and building your online buzz.

What's On Your Site (On-Page SEO)

Words: Words. Words. And pictures.

Make your website text clear and helpful for those who are searching for you. Know what they need and know what you offer. Keep it short, but super descriptive.:

• Describe Your Services: Use phrases homeowners search for. Instead of "General Repairs," use "Leaky Faucet Repair in Chapel Hill" or "Drywall Patching Services - Serving Chapel Hill & Carrboro." Mention specific problems you solve: "Fixing Running Toilets in Chapel Hill Homes."

• Use Clear Titles: Instead of "Our Services," try "Emergency Plumbing Services in Chapel Hill, NC - Call Now!" For a specific page: "Expert Appliance Repair for Chapel Hill Residents."

• Write Short Descriptions for Search Results: Make them want to click! "Need a reliable plumber in Chapel Hill? We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Call us today for fast repairs!", "Top-rated handyman in Chapel Hill specializing in small home repairs, painting, and more. Get a free quote!"

• Optimize Photos: Use descriptive file names. Instead of "image1.jpg," use "fixed-leaky-pipe-under-sink-chapel-hill.jpg". Alt text for the same image: "Leak repair under kitchen sink in a Chapel Hill home."

Under the Page (Technical SEO)

I call this part "Under the Page" because it has to do with coding and intricate systems that are invisible to the naked eye. Like plumbing, if you will. Make sure your website works well. This is the part where you definitely need a professional. Not something to DIY. If the previous part was changing a light bulb, this part is changing a socket.

• Mobile-Friendly: Ensure your website looks and works perfectly on iPhones and Android devices used by Chapel Hill residents. Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to check. Always check your website on your phone, ask your friends to check it too. more than 60% of your customers are probably searching for you on their phone. So make sure it looks good.

• Fast Loading: Optimize images so they load quickly for users on various internet speeds in Chapel Hill. Consider using a website speed testing tool.

• Help Google Understand: Use schema markup to tell Google you offer "PlumbingService" or "HandymanService" in the "Chapel Hill, NC" area. This helps you appear in local service results.

• Fix Errors: Regularly check Google Search Console for broken links or crawl errors on your Chapel Hill-focused website.

Building Your Buzz (Off-Page SEO)

Get your name out there. This part has nothing to do with SEO really. This is all you. It's about getting out of the truck, talking to people, connecting, exchanging phone numbers. And asking for reviews.

• Get Links: Ask local Chapel Hill hardware stores or real estate agents to link to your site if you partner with them. If you sponsor a local Chapel Hill event, see if they'll list you with a link.

• Be Social: Share before & after photos of your Chapel Hill repair jobs on Facebook or Nextdoor groups. Post helpful home maintenance tips relevant to the Chapel Hill climate (e.g., preparing pipes for winter). Use hashtags like #ChapelHillPlumber, #ChapelHillHandyman, #NCHomeRepair (Hashtags, yes. I said hashtags. I know they are a thing of the Instagram, but they work on websites too! They do work!)

• Ask for Reviews: Happy customers help! Politely ask satisfied Chapel Hill customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile, Yelp, or Angie's List. Positive reviews build trust with other Chapel Hill homeowners. And people are generous and will love to participate in your success.

Follow these simple steps to help Chapel Hill homeowners find your home repair business online!

Easy SEO Tutorial

for Home Repair Professionals