When customers need reliable tradesmen, their first step is often a Google search to find local professionals who can get the job done.
If you want to be the top choice for services like plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry, ranking high on Google is non-negotiable.
Here’s a simple guide to help you achieve that.
Local SEO for Tradies
When people search for tradesmen, they’re often looking for professionals in their local area using terms like “plumbers near me,” “electricians in [City Name],” or “best carpenters nearby.”
Appearing in Google’s “map pack” is crucial for connecting with these local customers.
The map pack places your business at the top of search results, making it easy for potential clients to find and trust you for their specific needs.
Getting Started with Local SEO for Tradies:
Create a Google Business Profile Visit google.com/business and set up a free profile tailored to your trade, whether you’re a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or another professional.
Optimize Your Profile Add all essential details, such as the specific services you offer (e.g., emergency plumbing, electrical repairs, custom cabinetry), your service areas, and working hours.
Gather Customer Reviews Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews mentioning specific services like “emergency pipe repair,” “rewiring services,” or “custom furniture builds” to strengthen your ranking in the map pack.
Find Out More: How to rank in Google Map Pack?
SEO Keywords for Tradesman
Identifying the right keywords is key to connecting with potential customers searching for trade services.
We’ll categorize these keywords based on the stages of the buyer’s journey:
Top of the Funnel (TOFU): Attract awareness-stage clients.
Middle of the Funnel (MOFU): Engage those comparing trade professionals.
Bottom of the Funnel (BOFU): Capture leads ready to hire tradies.
Each stage ensures you’re reaching customers at the right time in their decision-making process.
1. Informational Keywords for Awareness
At this stage, potential customers are beginning their research and may not be ready to hire yet.
Broad, informational keywords (TOFU - top of the funnel) are crucial for drawing in these early-stage leads.
Example Informational Keywords for Tradesmen:
What Does a Tradesman Do?
Benefits of Hiring Professional Tradesmen
How to Choose the Right Tradesman for Your Project
Tradesmen for Home Renovations
Why Use Skilled Tradesmen for Repairs?
Types of Tradesmen and Their Services
Tradesmen for Construction and Maintenance Projects
DIY vs. Hiring a Tradesman: Pros and Cons
Tradesmen for Plumbing, Electrical, and Carpentry Needs
What to Expect When Hiring a Tradesman for Your Home
2. Commercial Keywords for Interest
At this stage, potential customers are comparing their options and evaluating services.
Specific, comparison, and evaluative keywords (MOFU - middle of the funnel) help guide these customers in their decision-making process.
Example Commercial Keywords for Tradesmen:
Best Tradesmen Near Me
Tradesman Service Reviews
Top-Rated Local Tradesmen
Handyman vs. Professional Tradesman
Tradesman Services Pros and Cons
Affordable Tradesmen for Home Repairs
Best Tradesmen for Renovation Projects
Skilled Tradesmen for Large-Scale Construction
Tradesmen Specializing in Electrical and Plumbing Work
Professional Tradesman Services for Custom Projects
3. Transactional Keywords for Conversion
At this stage, potential customers are ready to make a decision.
Transactional and localized keywords (BOFU - bottom of the funnel) are crucial for capturing ready-to-buy leads.
Example Transactional Keywords for Tradesmen:
Hire a Tradesman Near Me
Affordable Tradesman Services
Emergency Tradesman Assistance in [City Name]
Residential Tradesman for Home Repairs
Commercial Tradesman for Office Renovations
Best Local Tradesman for Plumbing and Electrical Work
Professional Tradesman for Custom Projects
Tradesman for Bathroom Remodeling in [City Name]
Skilled Tradesmen for Industrial Construction
Reliable Tradesman Services Near Me
Find Out More: How to find profitable keywords?
SEO Content Strategy for Tradesmen Services
Understanding what people are searching for is vital to connect with potential clients.
However, simply identifying the keywords isn’t enough—you need to develop content tailored to address these terms directly.
For example, a search term like “local tradesman for home repairs” or “plumber for bathroom renovation” generates considerable monthly searches.
To capture this traffic, you must create service pages or blog posts focused specifically on these queries.
Your homepage will typically provide a general overview of your trades services and is unlikely to rank for more niche keywords like “licensed tradesman for electrical work” or “emergency plumbing repairs.”
Instead, the homepage is better suited for ranking broader terms such as “reliable tradesman services” or “professional tradesmen near me.”
Likewise, specific questions like “how to choose a good tradesman” or “common electrical repair tips” will need dedicated blog posts or landing pages to rank well in search results.
Getting Started with Content Strategy for Tradesmen:
Build service landing pages Examples: “Plumbing Services for Home Renovations”, “Electrical Repairs and Installations”, “Carpentry Services for Custom Cabinets”
Create blog content addressing common questions Examples:"How to Find a Reliable Tradesman for Your Home Project", "What to Expect During a Plumbing Installation", "Tips for Maintaining Electrical Safety in Your Home"
Learn more: What pages should a website have?
On-Page SEO for Local Tradies Website
To rank well for services like plumbing, electrical work, or epoxy flooring, optimizing your website's on-page elements is crucial.
This ensures your site is user-friendly and aligns with SEO best practices.
Getting Started with On-Page SEO:
Optimize Titles and Meta Descriptions Craft engaging titles and meta descriptions that include relevant keywords such as "plumbing services," "electrical repairs," or "garage epoxy coatings" to grab searchers attention.
Use Header Tags to Structure Content Organize your content with H1, H2, and H3 tags to guide both readers and search engines. Use H1 for the main title and H2s for subtopics.
Optimize Images and Media
Alt Text: Add keyword-rich alt text (e.g., "residential plumbing service") to help search engines understand the image content.
Captions: Provide context where appropriate to keep users engaged.
Image Size: Compress images using tools like Image Compressor to improve load times without sacrificing quality.
File Names:Rename image files with relevant keywords (e.g., "plumbing-service-repair.jpg") before uploading.
Improve Content Layout for Readability Enhance user experience by using short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings to make your content easily scannable.
Implement Internal Linking Link to other trades service pages or informational tradesman blog posts on your site to guide users through related content and help search engines recognize your site's structure.
Learn more: How to add seo keywords in website?
Off-Page SEO for Tradesman Industry
Backlinks are external links pointing to your website from other trusted sites.
Since they are a major ranking factor for Google, acquiring high-quality backlinks is vital for improving your rankings and driving organic traffic to your tradesman services website, whether it's for epoxy floor coatings, plumbing, or electrical work.
For example, the keyword "best plumber services near me" has a Keyword Difficulty (KD) score of 58.
Without a solid backlink profile from reputable sources, it can be challenging to rank on the first page of Google.
Link building may seem daunting, but with the right strategies, you can acquire backlinks that will enhance your site's authority, drive more traffic, and improve your visibility in local search results.
Getting Started with Backlinks:
Analyze top-ranking competitors Search for your target keyword (e.g., "garage floor refinishing" or "plumbing services") and analyze the top 10 ranking pages for that term on Google. Look at the content that ranks well and identify patterns. Are they targeting specific services (e.g., “commercial concrete sealing” or “residential plumbing repairs”)? Do they focus on local search terms, like “[City Name] tradesman services”? This can help you shape your content strategy to match what’s working for competitors.
Find their backlinks Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find where your competitors are getting their backlinks. Enter the competitor’s URL into the tool’s Backlinks section to see which sites are linking to them. This will help you uncover authoritative websites that could link to your trades business, increasing your site’s credibility and improving rankings.
Replicate successful backlinks Look for backlinks that are easy for you to obtain, such as local business directories, regional news outlets, or industry-specific blogs. Reach out to these sites and pitch your services, such as local repair case studies, testimonials, or helpful content about the trades you specialize in. Securing these quality backlinks will help improve your domain authority and give your trades business a boost in local search rankings.
Learn more: How to build backlinks in very small niches?
Conclusion
Start with Local SEO: Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile to capture local customers searching for tradesmen services in your area, whether it’s plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry.
Focus on Targeted Keywords: Use a combination of informational, commercial, and transactional keywords like “plumbing services near me,” “best electrician for home repairs,” or “affordable carpentry services” to attract customers.
Optimize On-Page Elements: Craft SEO-friendly titles, meta descriptions, and alt tags with terms like “emergency plumbing,” “licensed electricians,” or “residential carpentry services” to improve visibility and click-through rates.
Develop Authoritative Content: Create blog posts, service pages, and FAQs that answer customer questions, such as how to fix common plumbing issues, tips for hiring a reliable electrician, or how to choose the right contractor for home renovations. This helps build trust and engagement.
Invest in Link Building: Secure quality backlinks from local business directories, trade associations, and industry blogs to improve your domain authority and rankings for competitive tradesmen services keywords.
Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review your website’s performance using SEO metrics to track rankings and adjust your strategy as needed to maintain visibility and attract new clients.
By following these steps, you’ll strengthen your tradesmen business’s online presence, drive more local traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in search results.
