If you run a trade business — HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, or landscaping — local SEO isn't optional. It's the single most important marketing channel you have. When a homeowner's furnace dies at 10 PM or their basement starts flooding, they grab their phone and search "HVAC repair near me" or "emergency plumber." If you're not in those top 3 results, you don't exist.
This guide covers everything you need to dominate local search in 2026.
Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever for Trades
Google processes over 8.5 billion searches per day. For trade businesses, the vast majority of relevant searches have local intent — the searcher wants someone nearby, now. Here's what the data tells us:
- 46% of all Google searches have local intent
- 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within 24 hours
- 28% of local searches result in a purchase
- "Near me" searches have grown 500% in recent years
The Three Pillars of Local SEO
1. Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile is the foundation. It's what appears in the Map Pack — those three business listings that show up before organic results. For trades, this is prime real estate.
2. On-Page SEO
Your website needs to be optimized for both search engines and potential customers. This means location-specific content, proper schema markup, and a site that loads fast on mobile.
3. Reviews & Reputation
Google uses review signals (quantity, quality, recency) as a ranking factor. For trade businesses, reviews are also the #1 trust factor for potential customers.
Getting Started: Your 30-Day Action Plan
- Week 1: Claim and fully optimize your Google Business Profile
- Week 2: Audit your website for local SEO fundamentals
- Week 3: Build your citation foundation (NAP consistency)
- Week 4: Launch your review generation system
Want help implementing this? Book a free strategy call and we'll build a custom local SEO plan for your trade business.