34 | Local SEO Tips for Service Providers: How to Book More Clients in Your Area

Hey there! Welcome back to the Marketing Duo Podcast—the place where ambitious female founders learn smart, simple strategies to grow their businesses without burning out. Today, we’re talking about something that every local service provider must pay attention to: local SEO.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get more clients in your city (without spending all day posting on social media), this episode is for you. Whether you’re a photographer, therapist, or service provider with in-person clients, local SEO can help you get found right where you are.

Why Local SEO Matters

When someone searches “photographer near me” or “therapist in Albany,” Google is pulling from local results. That’s why having a Google Business Profile is so important—it’s free, powerful, and takes less than 20 minutes to set up. Even if you’re not fully local, Google still rewards you for using their tools.

I’ve personally booked clients like a competitive volleyball league and even Kaiser Permanente—just because they found me on Google Business. That’s the power of showing up where people are already searching.

How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile

Setting up your profile is simple:

• Register your business and verify your location. (Sometimes it’s a text, other times a live video walk-through.)
  
• Upload photos—your logo, your workspace, even your parking lot (yes, people care about parking!).
  
• Add your services and starting rates. This saves time for you and your clients.
  

Don’t worry if you work from home—you can hide your address and just list your service area.

The Power of Reviews

Once your profile is live, reviews are the magic sauce. Ask your clients to leave a review right after working with you, and make it easy by giving them prompts like:

1. How did you feel before working with me?
   
2. How did you feel during the process?
   
3. How do you feel now?
   

Always respond to reviews—good or bad. A thoughtful response to a negative review can actually build more trust than ignoring it.

Use Location-Specific Keywords

On your website and even on Pinterest, include keywords tied to your area. For example, if you’re a Bay Area photographer, use variations like “Bay Area photographer,” “San Jose photographer,” and “Silicon Valley photographer.” This makes it easier for clients in those locations to find you.

You can also create location-specific service pages on your site. Example: “Acupuncture in Albany, New York.” These pages show Google exactly where you serve clients and boost your chances of showing up in local searches.

Final Thoughts

Local SEO isn’t complicated—it’s about meeting your dream clients where they already are. Start with a Google Business Profile, gather reviews, and add location-specific keywords to your content. The best part? These steps keep working for you long after you set them up.

Sign up for Cinthia’s help here:

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!