Where should a home services business start with digital marketing?

Google Business Profile optimization, NAP consistency across directories, and systematic review generation. These three steps are free, produce results within weeks, and form the foundation everything else builds on. Then ensure your website has dedicated service pages and loads fast on mobile. Then start monthly content.

How much should a home services company spend on digital marketing?

Most local home services businesses should budget $1,000 to $3,000 per month for comprehensive SEO, GBP management, content, and link building. Add $500-1,500 per month for PPC if you need immediate leads while organic visibility builds. The key metric is cost per lead — track it by channel and scale what produces customers at an acceptable cost.

Can I really do SEO myself or should I hire an agency?

The foundations are DIY-friendly: GBP optimization, review generation, basic website improvements, social media posting, and email marketing. Technical SEO, schema markup, strategic link building, competitive content creation, and PPC management require expertise most business owners lack. The most effective approach is handling basics yourself and hiring an agency for technical and strategic work.

How long until I see results from SEO?

GBP optimization and citation cleanup show Map Pack improvements within 2-8 weeks. Content and organic rankings take 3-6 months. PPC produces leads within days. The full compounding effect becomes significant around months 6-12.

How many Google reviews does a home services business need?

Competitive Map Pack positions in contested home services industries typically require 100-300 or more reviews with 4.5+ star averages. More important than total count is velocity — aim for 5-10 new reviews per month consistently.

Do I need to worry about AI search as a home services business?

Yes. Google AI Overviews appear for a growing percentage of local service queries. The fundamentals — GBP optimization, schema markup, review generation, answer-first content — are exactly what AI systems use to cite businesses. You do not need a separate AI strategy. Do traditional digital marketing well and add schema markup as the structured data layer.