How Plumbers and Electricians Can Rank on Google in South Africa

Trades businesses rank on Google by being relevant to what people search for, close to the person searching, and well known and trusted online. Google describes local ranking as relevance, distance and prominence, and you can influence all three.

Relevance: match what people search for

Give each service its own page, using the words customers actually type, such as geyser repair or DB board upgrade. A page for every service matches more searches than one page that lists everything you do.

Distance: be clear about where you work

You cannot move closer to the customer, but you can state the areas you serve on your website and in your Google Business Profile, so Google knows when you are a fit.

Prominence: be known and trusted

• Reviews from real customers, with replies from you
• The same name, phone number and website on every directory listing
• Links from other sites, such as clients, suppliers and local business listings

Give it time

Local rankings usually take weeks or months to move, so focus on steady habits: a complete profile, a steady flow of reviews and a website that answers your customers' questions.