Local SEO & Google Business Optimization | FlowLocal
Local SEO & Google Business Optimization

Stop losing "near me" searches. Start showing up first.

When someone searches "plumber near me" or "HVAC Kitchener," your business should be in the top 3. FlowLocal optimizes your Google Business Profile, local citations, and website to dominate local search.

What We Build

Everything you need to rank locally

Our team manages your Google Business Profile, local citations, on-page SEO, and review generation so you show up when customers search for your services.

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Google Business Profile Optimization

Complete profile setup, regular posts, Q&A management, photo uploads, and review monitoring. Everything Google looks for to rank you higher.

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Local Citation Building

Your business name, address, and phone number listed accurately across 50+ directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB, industry sites). Inconsistent info tanks rankings.

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On-Page SEO

Optimize your website for local searches. Title tags, meta descriptions, schema markup, and city-specific landing pages that Google rewards.

Review Generation & Management

More reviews = higher rankings. We automate review requests and monitor/respond to every review to keep your reputation strong.

The Problem

Buried vs. ranked in the map pack

Most local businesses have incomplete Google Business Profiles and inconsistent citations. This slider shows what happens when you optimize everything Google looks for.

1
Pro Plumbing Co
★★★★★ 4.9 (156 reviews)
📍 Kitchener • Open now • 15 min away
✓ Verified • Updated today
2
Your Business Here
★★★★★ 4.8 (140 reviews)
📍 Waterloo • Open now • 12 min away
✓ Verified • Updated today
3
Elite Drain Services
★★★★☆ 4.6 (98 reviews)
📍 Cambridge • Open now • 18 min away
1
Pro Plumbing Co
★★★★★ 4.9 (156 reviews)
📍 Kitchener • Open now
2
Elite Drain Services
★★★★☆ 4.6 (98 reviews)
📍 Cambridge • Open now
3
Quick Fix Plumbing
★★★★☆ 4.5 (72 reviews)
📍 Guelph • Closing soon
8
Your Business
★★★☆☆ 3.2 (12 reviews)
📍 Waterloo • Hours not listed
⚠ Incomplete profile • Last update 6 mo ago
Before: Hidden (#8) After: Top 3 (#2)
Who this is for

Built for local service businesses

If your business relies on local customers finding you through Google searches, local SEO should be driving measurable calls and bookings—not just website visits.

We manage local SEO for

Service businesses across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Ottawa that need to show up when customers search.

HVAC contractors Plumbers Roofers Electricians Landscapers Cleaners Dentists Chiropractors Law Firms Auto Repair Shops

If you serve a local area and rely on "near me" searches, this local SEO service is designed for you.

Quick wins we've seen

Roofing company — Kitchener: Moved from #9 to #2 in local map pack in 6 weeks, calls up 60%.

Dental clinic — Waterloo: Optimized Google Business Profile, review count went from 18 to 110 in 90 days.

HVAC contractor — Cambridge: Fixed 34 citation errors, local search visibility up 4x.

Reality Check

What local SEO really means

Local SEO isn't traditional SEO. You're not waiting 6 months for results. Local SEO focuses on Google Business Profile optimization, citation accuracy, and review generation—all of which can show ranking improvements in 4-8 weeks.

Most local businesses lose rankings because their Google Business Profile is incomplete, their citations are inconsistent across directories, and they have no system for generating reviews. Google prioritizes businesses that keep their information fresh, respond to reviews, and maintain accurate listings everywhere.

FlowLocal manages your Google Business Profile, builds and corrects citations across 50+ directories, optimizes your website for local keywords, and automates review generation. When someone searches "plumber near me" or "HVAC Kitchener," you show up in the top 3.

Factor DIY Local SEO FlowLocal Managed
Google Business Profile Incomplete, last updated months ago Fully optimized, updated weekly with posts
Local Citations Inconsistent NAP across 10-15 sites Accurate NAP across 50+ directories
Review Generation Manual requests, inconsistent Automated follow-up system, 10-15 reviews/month
On-Page SEO Generic meta tags, no schema markup City-specific pages, local schema, optimized titles
Q&A Management Unanswered questions on Google Proactive Q&A seeding, monitored daily
Photo Uploads 5-10 outdated photos 50+ photos, fresh uploads monthly
Ranking Timeline Slow or stagnant Visible improvements in 4-8 weeks
Ongoing Management You handle everything We manage, optimize, and report monthly
See It In Action

Watch your ranking improve

This simulation shows how local SEO optimization affects your Google Maps ranking based on industry and location.

🔍 google.com/maps

Your business buried at position #8

Incomplete profile, few reviews, inconsistent citations

Your business at position #2

Optimized profile, strong reviews, clean citations

4.8★
Rating
140+
Reviews
Verified
Today
Updated
320%
Search Visibility
6.8%
Click-Through Rate
+180
Direction Requests
+240
Call Volume
How It Works

The "no drama" process

No mystery. No complexity. Just a disciplined system that works for local SEO across Ontario.

Audit & Analysis

Review your Google Business Profile, citations, on-page SEO, and competitor rankings. Identify quick wins and gaps.

Optimize & Build

Complete your Google profile, fix citation errors across 50+ directories, and optimize your website for local keywords.

Launch & Monitor

Go live with optimized profile, automated review requests, and monthly tracking of rankings and visibility.

Scale & Maintain

Add city-specific landing pages, build more citations, and refine content to dominate more search terms.

Full Service

What's included in our local SEO management

We Handle

  • Google Business Profile optimization and updates
  • Local citation building across 50+ directories
  • Citation cleanup and NAP consistency
  • On-page SEO (title tags, meta descriptions, schema)
  • City-specific landing page creation
  • Review generation automation
  • Review monitoring and response management
  • Google Q&A seeding and management
  • Photo uploads and Google Posts
  • Monthly ranking reports and strategy updates

You Focus On

  • Answering calls from new customers
  • Booking jobs and delivering great service
  • Reviewing monthly performance reports
  • Approving new content and photos
  • Growing your business
FAQ

Common questions about local SEO

Does local SEO work for local businesses like mine?

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Absolutely. Local SEO is built specifically for service businesses in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, and across Canada. We work with HVAC contractors, plumbers, roofers, electricians, landscapers, cleaners, dentists, chiropractors, law firms, and auto repair shops. If customers search for your services locally, local SEO is critical.

How long does it take to see results from local SEO?

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Local SEO is faster than traditional SEO. Most clients see ranking improvements in 4-8 weeks after we optimize their Google Business Profile, fix citations, and launch review generation. Full dominance (top 3 consistently) typically takes 3-6 months depending on competition and starting point.

What's included in the local SEO service?

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We handle Google Business Profile optimization, local citation building and cleanup, on-page SEO, review generation automation, Q&A management, photo uploads, Google Posts, and monthly ranking reports. You get a fully managed service—we do the work, you get the calls.

Do I need a website to rank in Google Maps?

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You can rank without a website, but you'll rank higher with one. Google prefers businesses with optimized websites that match their Google Business Profile info. If you don't have a site, we offer website design built specifically for local SEO.

What's the difference between local SEO and regular SEO?

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Local SEO focuses on Google Business Profile, local map pack rankings, citations, and reviews—designed to get you found in "near me" searches. Regular SEO focuses on ranking your website in organic search results, which takes longer (6-12 months). Local SEO shows results faster (4-8 weeks) and drives more immediate calls and bookings.

How much does local SEO cost?

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FlowLocal's local SEO management starts at $497/month for single-location businesses. This includes Google Business Profile optimization, citation building, review automation, and monthly reporting. Multi-location businesses have custom pricing based on the number of locations and markets.

Do you require long-term contracts?

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No. We work month-to-month. Our goal is to deliver measurable ranking improvements and calls so you want to stay, not because you're locked in. You can cancel anytime with 30 days' notice.

How does this work with Google Ads?

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Local SEO and Google Ads work together. Ads give you instant visibility while local SEO builds long-term organic rankings. Many clients run both: ads for immediate leads and local SEO to reduce cost-per-lead over time as organic rankings improve.

Get a free local SEO audit. We'll show you what's broken.

We'll review your Google Business Profile, citations, on-page SEO, and competitor rankings—then show you exactly how to rank in the top 3.

  • Review your Google Business Profile completeness
  • Identify citation errors and inconsistencies
  • Analyze competitor rankings and strategies
  • Provide a ranking improvement plan and timeline
Get Your Free Local SEO Audit

No obligations. No sales pitch. Just honest feedback.