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Small Business Marketing in 2026: What Still Works (And What Is Dead)

Last Updated: February 27, 2026

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Lets keep this simple. Marketing did not die. But a lot of lazy tactics did. If you are still doing what worked five years ago, you are leaking jobs and probably do not realize it.

This page pulls together what we have been hammering on all year. Bookmark it.

1. The Search World Changed. Stop Pretending It Did Not.

Start here:

Here is the short version. Homeowners are using AI tools to filter businesses before they ever click.

That means:

  • Your data has to be clean
  • Your services have to be clear
  • Your reputation has to be visible
  • Your site has to make sense to a machine

If AI cannot confidently describe what you do, it will not show you. That is not theory. That is happening now.

2. What Still Works

No gimmicks. Just fundamentals done correctly.

Google Business Profile

Read these:

Your Google Business Profile is your storefront. If it is sloppy, incomplete, or inconsistent, you are at risk.

This falls on you:

  • Make sure hours are accurate
  • Upload real photos of real work
  • Make sure your services and categories make sense

Delegate internally or hire out:

  • Full audit for policy violations
  • Cleanup of conflicting business info across the web
  • Ongoing monitoring so issues do not pile up
  • Suspension prevention and recovery help when things go sideways

If you do not know what triggers suspension, do not guess.

Reviews Still Matter

Read:

Reviews are not optional. AI sees them. Customers see them.

This falls on you:

  • Ask after every job
  • Respond to every review
  • Address complaints publicly

Delegate:

  • Review request automation
  • Monitoring tools and alerts
  • Reputation reporting

But asking for the review is on you.

Website Structure

Read:

You do not need a prettier site. You need clarity and structure.

You need:

  • Clear service pages
  • Real FAQs
  • Plain language
  • Internal linking
  • Structured layout

This falls on you:

  • Make sure services are described clearly
  • Add real FAQs customers actually ask you
  • Approve content before it goes live

Delegate:

  • Page architecture and navigation cleanup
  • Schema markup
  • Internal linking strategy
  • AI optimized structuring

Random blog posts are dead weight. Structure wins.

Video

Read:

This is not influencer nonsense. It is proof of work.

This falls on you:

  • Film one job per week
  • Show the problem
  • Show the fix
  • Keep it real

Delegate:

  • Editing
  • Posting
  • Distribution
  • Repurposing

You do not need a studio. You need consistency.

3. What Is Dead or Wasting Your Time

Let’s be blunt.

Buying low-quality backlinks
Read: Backlinks Are Old News
(Don’t confuse this with high-quality directory listings… those are still very important.)

Posting for the sake of posting
If there is no strategy behind it, it is noise.

Ignoring compliance updates
Read: The Geeks at Google Just Threw a Monkey Wrench Into Your Day

Letting your info sit outdated after a move
That is how you get suspended.
Read: We All Move Eventually. Do It Like A Pro

 

4. If You Only Fix One Thing This Quarter

Fix your Google Business Profile. Seriously. Most small businesses losing visibility do not have an SEO problem. They have a compliance or structure problem.

Start here:

Then:

  • Clean up listings
  • Get consistent reviews
  • Make services clear
  • Film your work

Do those four things well and you are ahead of most competitors.

Bottom Line

Marketing in 2026 is not magic. It is structure, credibility, and consistency. You do not need 50 tactics.

You need:

  • Clean data
  • Real proof
  • Clear messaging
  • A monitored profile

Ignore the noise. Fix the fundamentals. Bookmark this page.

 

 

Small Business Marketing in 2026 FAQs


Small business marketing that still works in 2026 is doing fundamentals correctly: Google Business Profile management, consistently earning and responding to reviews, improving website structure with clear service pages and real FAQs, and using simple “proof of work” video consistently.


To optimize a Google Business Profile for small business marketing in 2026, keep it accurate and consistent: ensure business hours are correct, upload real photos of real work, and make sure Google Business Profile services and categories make sense. The page also recommends auditing for policy violations, cleaning up conflicting business information across the web, and monitoring the profile so issues do not pile up.


To prevent a Google Business Profile suspension in 2026, avoid letting the Google Business Profile get sloppy, incomplete, or inconsistent. Keep hours accurate, keep information consistent across the web, and do not let business information sit outdated after a move. The page recommends a full audit for policy violations, cleanup of conflicting business info, and ongoing monitoring so problems are caught before they trigger suspension.


Online reviews still matter for small business marketing in 2026 because “AI sees them” and customers see them. The page recommends asking for a review after every job, responding to every review, and addressing complaints publicly. It also suggests delegating review request automation, monitoring tools and alerts, and reputation reporting—while keeping the responsibility of asking for reviews on the business.


Website structure changes that help small businesses market better in 2026 focus on clarity and structure, not “a prettier site.” The page recommends clear service pages, real FAQs, plain language, internal linking, and a structured layout. It also notes you can delegate page architecture and navigation cleanup, schema markup, internal linking strategy, and AI-optimized structuring.


The page calls out several small business marketing tactics as dead or a waste of time in 2026: buying low-quality backlinks, posting for the sake of posting without strategy, and ignoring compliance updates. It also warns that letting business information sit outdated after a move can lead to Google Business Profile suspension.

It’s Time to Exchange Your Hammer for a Nail Gun. How to Build a Better Online Toolkit in 2026

Last Updated: January 12, 2026

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Back in the day, a good hammer (Google Search) could get the job done. Optimize your site, sprinkle in keywords, and jobs would roll in. One tool, one focus. Simple. You could’ve called “S.E.O.” just “G.O.” (Google Optimization.)

But we’re not in that world anymore.

Show up to the digital jobsite with just that one hammer, and you’ll be stuck working late while everyone else is home cracking beers. What’s worse, you’ll be the guy taking whatever jobs you can get, instead of picking the ones you really want.

The way people search has changed drastically in the last 2 years. In 2026, just looking at the top few options, you’ve got Google, sure, but also: Bing, DuckDuckGo, ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Perplexity, ClaudeAI, DeepSeek, and the list goes on. So you need to put away your grandfather’s hammer and pick up a nail gun or your fate will look a lot like the dinosaurs.

Do NOT throw the hammer away though. You just need to add some new tricks. Here’s how to modernize, without a scrap-and-redo.

AI Changed the Jobsite, and the Blueprint

Today, people don’t just “Google it” like they used to. They’re asking questions in several different search engines and AI chat bots. They’re watching tutorials on YouTube or TikTok. Searching by voice. Checking Reddit for recommendations. Many times they don’t even have to click through to a website because they’re being given an answer directly by the AI or AI Overview.

If your business is only optimized for classic Google rankings, it’s like using a hammer while your buddies all use nail guns. You might still get it done, but it’s slower, messier, and you’re probably losing bids to competitors with better gear.

What Goes in Your 2026 Marketing Toolbox?

You don’t need a high-end digital workshop to compete. You just need the right tools in the bag, and you probably already have more of them than you think.

Here’s your updated small-business marketing toolkit:

1. Google Business Profile

This is still one of the most reliable tools in the box, especially for local leads. Keep it accurate, complete, and regularly updated with:

  • Photos from recent jobs: Before and after photos are ideal.
  • Customer reviews (the more the better): These are critical.
  • Updated service hours: Make sure you’re listing that you’re “open” whenever you’re willing to answer a call. Remember, if you’re “closed,” you won’t be served up as an option…

A dialed-in GBP helps you show up in local packs, voice searches, and AI results.

This is easily outsourced, but watch for anyone charging you for the GBP itself, and not just for their labor. The GBP is free from Google, but you’ll need to pay for the expert to use his/her knowledge, expertise, and time setting it up for you.

2. Helpful Content

Think blog posts, how-to videos, and service pages that answer real customer questions. But here’s the trick: it’s not about stuffing keywords anymore. That’s the duct tape of SEO. It’s sloppy and short-lived at best.

Focus on:

  • Clear, conversational answers
  • Real insights from your experience
  • FAQs and service explanations in plain English

Pro tip: Use headings like “What should I do if my furnace shuts off in the middle of the night?” so AI tools can pull that info directly.

Some of this can be outsourced, but you’re going to have to participate quite a bit. You can have someone else organize, edit, or post your content, but only you can capture the raw footage. Just pull out your phone and record a minute or two of you and your team doing the work you were hired to do. Then hand it off to your trusted third-party for the rest.

3. Video & Social Proof

Want to build trust fast? Show your face, your team, and your work. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram aren’t just for influencers, they’re where people look for proof. Seeing is believing.

Even one video a month can get picked up by AI tools and build major trust.

Try some of these ideas:

  • Show a job walkthrough
  • Answer a common question
    • How long does a water heater replacement take?
    • Do I have to go without water in the whole house while the work is being done?
  • Highlighting before-and-after results

Again, this is something you’re going to have to participate in. You have to gather the raw materials to hand off to your marketer, spouse, nephew, or whoever else you want to have doing the keyboard time.

4. Off-Site Mentions

Mentions on local news, local directories, and forums help AI see your business as legit. It’s like reinforcement behind the wall.

You can:

  • Pitch a local story (“How this HVAC company helped a family during the cold snap”)
  • List on trusted directories (This is both critically important and easy to do.)
  • Partner with complementary trades for blog or video content

The real no-brainer in the list is the local directories. They used to be DIY, but not anymore. You need broad reach, and yes, that means paying for a good service. Ours is Directory Dominator, but there are others. Just make sure you’re getting a fair deal and not overpaying for “speed” because in our experience, it makes zero difference.

Keyword Tricks Are Dead. Real Work Pays Off.

Google (and especially AI) doesn’t care how many times you get a keyword onto a page anymore. It wants proof you know your stuff. That means showing your experience, your skills, and your trust factor. If your site sounds like a robot wrote it, you’re going to get buried.

Google’s latest algorithm updates (especially the December 2025 one) came down hard on thin content, keyword-stuffing, and auto-generated junk. That sort of content is like using a staple gun when you really need screws.

What Google (and AI tools) want now is E-E-A-T:

  • Experience
  • Expertise
  • Authoritativeness
  • Trustworthiness

In other words: show you know your stuff, prove you’ve done the work, and make it easy for customers (and search engines) to see that.

If your site is packed with copied content, city-page spam, or vague promises, it’s probably getting buried. But if you’re answering real questions, solving real problems, and sounding like a real human, you’re in good shape.

We’ve covered this in more detail in these posts:

Feeling Overwhelmed? You Don’t Have to DIY This

Most business owners we talk don’t have time to mess around with schema markup, AI prompts, or figuring out YouTube tags.

Good news: you can hire folks who specialize in this stuff, just like your customers hire you.

Freelancers and agencies can help with:

  • Turning your FAQs into blog content
  • Building AI-friendly structure into your site
  • Managing multi-platform posting
  • Editing AI-assisted drafts to keep your voice authentic

This isn’t about turning into a marketing expert. It’s about getting the right help, so you can stay focused on running the business.

3 Quick Fixes You Can Do This Month

Not sure where to start? Here are three tools you can grab today:

  1. Update your Google Business Profile: add 5 new photos and respond to at least one review.
  2. Add a simple FAQ section to your most-visited service page.
  3. Shoot a 1-minute video answering a common question (use your phone!) and post it to YouTube and your website.

Final Word: Upgrade Your Toolbox, Not Your Entire Shop

You don’t need to scrap what you’ve built. But if you want to keep growing in this new AI-powered landscape, you do need to expand your tools and techniques.

The businesses that win in 2026 won’t be the ones chasing every trend. They’ll be the ones showing up consistently, offering real value, and being easy to find, wherever customers are searching.

So grab your digital toolbox. Tighten up the basics. Add a few new tools. And let the competition keep swinging that old hammer.

 

 

 

Build a Better Online Toolkit in 2026 — FAQs

A modern online marketing toolkit in 2026 includes multiple tools beyond classic SEO: optimized Google Business Profile listings, helpful content that answers real customer questions, video and social proof on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, off‑site mentions in local media and directories, and tactics tailored for AI search engines and chat interfaces.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile helps your business appear accurately in local searches, voice search results, and AI tools’ local packs. This includes keeping updated photos, service hours, and customer reviews to build trust and visibility for local leads.

Small businesses should create helpful content like blog posts, how‑to videos, and FAQ pages that provide clear, conversational answers to real customer questions. Content should focus on real insights and use headings that AI tools can pull directly as answers.

Video and social proof help build trust quickly with potential customers. Posting job walkthroughs, answers to common questions, and before‑and‑after results on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram increases visibility and credibility, which AI search engines may surface in results.

Off‑site mentions include features in local news, directories, community forums, and partner blogs. These mentions signal legitimacy and relevance to search engines and AI, reinforcing your business’s reputation beyond your own website.

Simple first steps include updating your Google Business Profile with new photos and replies to reviews, adding an FAQ section to a high‑traffic service page on your website, and shooting a one‑minute video answering a common customer question to post on YouTube and your site.

Google’s AI Overviews Nuking Your Traffic? Here’s What You Need To Do In 2026.

Last Updated: January 2, 2026

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If you’ve been noticing fewer website visits lately, it’s not just you. Last year Google continued to expand its roll-out of AI Overviews (AIOs), and it has been impacting search traffic in a big way. These AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of more and more searches are certainly convenient for users, but it’s starving websites of the clicks they depend on.

This patterns might sound a bit familiar, because it’s just like the Local Service Ads (aka Google Guaranteed) that they rolled 10 years ago. We watched in horror as many of our clients saw 50% of their organic traffic vanish thanks to that pay-to-play program. They pushed organic results further down the page, and businesses had to pivot fast. AIOs are doing something similar, but this time it’s likely going to be more severe.

But here’s the thing: big shifts like this are both a threat and an opportunity. If you’re smart about it, your business can actually benefit from AIOs by becoming the go-to source these summaries pull from. It’s all about getting cited, showing authority, and being clear, helpful, and trustworthy online.

The Reality Check: AIOs Are Taking Over, and Taking Clicks with Them

Here’s what the data says as of early 2026:

  • 58.5% of U.S. Google searches now end without a click (according to SparkToro), and AI Overviews will likely push that even higher this year.
  • Organic click-through rates have dropped 60% (according to Seer) since mid-2024 on AIO-heavy searches.
  • But there’s a silver lining: According to Seer, being cited in the AIO is correlated with a 35-91% higher click-thru rates. When users do engage, those clicks tend to be higher quality.

So yes, you may be losing some top-of-funnel traffic, like people searching “how to patch drywall.” But if your business gets cited as the expert source, users who do click are more likely to trust you and take action. That’s a big double win. You’re likely losing out on the lower-value time-wasters, but gaining the high-value contacts that drive sales.

E-E-A-T: Your Secret Weapon as a Local Expert

If you’ve read our past articles, you know how important EEAT is: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. EEAT is to AI Optimization what keywords were to SEO.

Here’s how to show Google (and customers) you’ve got it:

  • Experience: Share real stories. “As a plumber in Tampa for 18 years, I’ve seen every kind of pipe burst imaginable.”
  • Expertise: Add bios to your site with certifications, licenses, awards, and specialties.
  • Authoritativeness: Get featured on other local sites, earn positive reviews, and publish content people actually find helpful.
  • Trustworthiness: Use clear contact info, show before/after photos from real jobs, and include testimonials.

Pro tip: A photo of a job site is worth a thousand stock photos.

Write for Questions and Answer Them Right Away

AIOs love content that directly answers user questions. That means your blog shouldn’t just be a wall of text, it should be a helpful resource structured around real questions.

Try this format:

  1. Start with a direct 1-2 sentence answer.
  2. Then go deeper with more detail.
  3. Use clear headings, bullets, and visuals.

Example topics that work great:

  • “How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Charlotte in 2026?”
  • “Is It Better to Repair or Replace an Old Furnace?”
  • “What’s the Best Type of Roof for Rainy Climates?”

Free tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s “People Also Ask” can help you find these kinds of questions fast.

Of course, we can also help you with this task. Our AI Quickstart includes an FAQ page that comes with all the proper structure and markup.

Use Structured Data (Don’t Worry, It’s Easier Than It Sounds)

Before you let your eyes glaze over, just know that this portion is very easily outsourced to a digital marketer. In fact, we help people with this all the time. Many people slap together the basic info they want and then turn it over to us to just clean it up and add the techy, back-end stuff. For those of us who speak geek, it’s quick and painless. That translates into inexpensive to outsource for you.

If that describes your perspective on this topic, head over to our AI Quickstart page and start there.

But if you’re feeling brave, here’s the gist:

Structured data (also called schema markup) helps AI understand your content. And more importantly, it can increase your chances of being the cited source in the AI Overview.

Just head over to Schema.org and learn about how to do these types of markup:

  • FAQ schema on pages that answer common questions.
  • HowTo schema for walkthroughs (like “how to unclog a sink”).
  • LocalBusiness schema for your business data.

Bottom line: Schema makes your content AI-readable, and that means more chances of getting cited.

Double Down on Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Don’t overlook your Google Business Profile. AIOs are increasingly pulling from local data, and your GBP is a key signal.

Make sure you:

  • Add your services, pricing, Q&A, and photos.
  • Keep your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) consistent everywhere (exact, to the letter.)
  • Encourage customers to leave reviews, especially detailed ones.

Think of your GBP as your digital storefront. If it’s complete and active, you’re sending the right signals to both people and AI.

This is another place where you can very easily and inexpensively outsource to a pro. Our GBP Optimization service exists for exactly this reason.

Use Original Visuals and Unique Local Insights

AIOs favor content that looks and feels real. That means:

  • Job site photos
  • Before/after shots
  • Local data or stats (“We’ve installed 500 water heaters in Austin since 2015”)
  • Visual breakdowns using Canva or similar tools

These are the kind of things that make your site stand out from generic competitors, and give AIOs something solid to cite.

Rethink What Success Looks Like in 2026

Yes, traditional traffic may dip. But that doesn’t mean you’re not winning.

New things to track:

  • Are you seeing more branded searches? (People Googling your name?)
  • Is your direct traffic going up?
  • Are more people calling from your GBP?
  • Are you getting cited in AIOs?

The goal isn’t just clicks. It’s trust, visibility, and leads, and AIOs can still drive all three when you play it right.

Final Thoughts: Adapt or Be Invisible

Like every big Google update, this one is a shake-up. But it’s not the end… it’s a turning point.

Yes, you may need to lean a little more into paid ads. Yes, you’ll need to tighten up your content and stay sharp about your local authority. But those who rise to the top will stay at the top.

This is your moment to stand out as the go-to expert in your area. Not just for people, but for the AI that’s now shaping what people see first.

Ready to get cited?

Let’s make 2026 the year your business doesn’t just survive, it leads.

Need some assistance, or just prefer to outsource this stuff? We’ve been working with contractors and service pros for years, and we’re already optimizing content for AI Overviews. Reach out anytime.

 

 

AI Overviews & Website Traffic FAQs for 2026

Your website traffic may have dropped because Google’s AI Overviews now answer more user queries directly on the search results page, which increases no‑click searches and reduces organic click‑through rates, especially for informational searches.

By becoming a cited source in Google’s AI Overviews, a business can see higher quality clicks because users trust and engage more with expert sources featured in the AI summaries.

EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) signals to Google that your content is authoritative and trustworthy, which improves the chances your content gets cited in AI Overviews.

Content that answers real questions with short direct answers followed by detailed explanations, organized with headings, bullets, and visuals, helps Google’s AI parse and cite your content.

Structured data such as FAQ schema, HowTo schema, and LocalBusiness schema helps AI better understand your content signals and increases the likelihood your content is used in Google’s AI Overviews.

Complete and optimize your Google Business Profile with services, pricing, photos, reviews, and consistent business info, and use original local visuals to strengthen local authority for AI Overviews.

E-A-T For Busy Contractors: Win The New Top-1 Game Without Losing Your Lunch Break

Last Updated: February 27, 2026

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Look, we know you have zero time and even fewer cares to give about SEO. The only kind of E-A-T you care about is lunch. We get it. We are bringing this up so you have accurate info the next time a smooth talker tries to sell you magic beans. Here is the straight talk on E-A-T and why it matters for both Google and the AI answers stealing the top of the page.

Search has changed. The old top 10 game is getting replaced by a top 1 game. AI answers now sit above the regular results. If you are not THE answer, you are not the answer at all. We recently broke that shift down here: We are not playing the top 10 game anymore.

E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. When you improve E-A-T, you upgrade both SEO and AI visibility in one shot. That is a high value move, even if you never want to touch your website again.

The Realistic Plan For People With No Time

There are two parts. First, a one time setup that fixes the foundation. Second, light ongoing updates so Google and AI know you are active and reliable. If you like DIY, none of this is rocket science. If you are grinding 12 plus hours a day, call us and we will handle it.

5 Actionable Steps To Win E-A-T And Capture AI Traffic

1) Get Your Website In Order

Your site is your home base. It does not need to be fancy. It does need to prove you are real, local, and qualified. If your site is weak, you are bringing a go kart to a drag race. See examples and fixes here: The one mistake that is killing your local SEO.

  • List every service and your service areas on dedicated pages. Include neighborhoods and nearby towns.
  • Show license numbers, certifications, insurance, and real crew photos.
  • Add proof of recent jobs with city names. Example: Water heater replacement in Albany.
  • Put contact info on every page. Embed a Google Map. Keep name, address, and phone number the same everywhere.
  • Make mobile fast and simple. Clear menu and click to call buttons.

DIY: update service pages and the About page first. No time? We can rebuild the core pages and load in photos, proof, and trust elements for you.

2) Show Obvious Expertise

Make it easy for humans and bots to see why you are a pro.

  • Add short author bios under how-to content and service explainers. Example: Written by Maria Lopez, Master Electrician, License 12345.
  • Put a credentials strip on the homepage. Years in business, licenses, brands you work on, training.
  • Publish project summaries with before and after photos and location names.

DIY: write three sentences per tech with role, years, specialties. No time? We interview you once and build bios and proof sections.

3) Earn Local Authority

Mentions from trusted local sources act like reputation votes. A few quality ones go far.

  • Join your Chamber of Commerce and trade associations. Get listed on their sites.
  • Claim top directories and keep info identical across your site, Google Business Profile, Yelp, and BBB.
  • Pitch one small community story to local news. Example: Free furnace tune ups day for seniors.
  • Sponsor a youth team or charity and ask for a website mention.

DIY: fix Google Business Profile and the top 10 directory listings first. No time? Our Directory Dominator service can get you tons of directory listings.

4) Get Reviews The Right Way

Stars help, but getting keywords inside the reviews is important. You want reviews and replies that include service and city keywords. We cover this in section 4 here: Backlinks are old news. Focus on local gossip.

  • Coach happy customers with a simple prompt. Just ask them to include the service performed and the city where it was done when they leave the review.
  • Reply to reviews with keyword detail. Example: “Thanks for trusting us with your water heater replacement in Pine Hills.”
  • Feature a few detailed reviews on your site with city names and service types.
  • Ask at the right moment. Right after the walkthrough on a successful job.

DIY: save two reply templates that include service and city, then personalize. No time? We can help you respond to reviews or get more reviews with ReviewStream.

5) Stay Fresh With Light Local Updates

You do not need to blog every day. You do need to show signs of life. Short, local updates tell Google and AI you are active and trusted.

  • Post one or two job highlights per week. Example: “We helped out this customer in Austin TX with a broken AC system. The AC wasn’t cooling so we replaced the capacitor and got it back up and running in no time.” Include photo. Post done.
  • Add seasonal tips tied to your region. Example: Winter HVAC checklist for Buffalo homes.
  • Update service pages with a new photo or quick FAQ every quarter.
  • Keep hours and service areas current on your Google Business Profile.

DIY: snap a photo and dictate two sentences. Done in two minutes.

Why Bother If You Do Not Care About SEO

Because the top 1 game is already live. AI answer boxes sit above the old blue links. If you skip E-A-T, AI has no reason to pick you as the answer, and those calls go to someone else. A little groundwork now keeps you visible as these bots change the rules.

Quick Reality Check

  • This is not rocket science. A handy DIYer can knock out the basics.
  • You can also hand it to us and get back to work. We set the foundation and keep it fresh.
  • Do nothing and the AI results will pass you by.

Bottom Line

You have a business to run and lunch to eat. We will keep it simple. Set up the foundation once, keep light updates going, and you win both SEO and AI visibility with the same effort. If you want to DIY, use the links above as a playbook. If you are slammed and just want the phone to ring, give us a call and we will handle it.

 

 

 

Contractor E‑A‑T & AI Visibility FAQs

E‑A‑T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Improving E‑A‑T helps both your SEO rankings and increases your visibility in AI-generated answer boxes (the new “top 1” position in search). Without high E‑A‑T, AI systems are less likely to choose your business as THE answer.

Quick steps include: creating dedicated pages for each service and service area; displaying licenses, certifications, insurance, and crew photos; posting real job projects with city names; including consistent contact info and embedded Google Map on every page; making sure your site is mobile‑friendly with click‑to‑call functionality.

Show expertise by adding short author bios (e.g., “Written by Maria Lopez, Master Electrician, License 12345”), a credentials strip on the homepage listing years in business, licenses, brands, and training, and publishing project summaries with before & after photos and location names.

Build local authority by joining local Chambers of Commerce and trade associations—and getting listed on their sites; ensuring identical business info across your website, Google Business Profile, Yelp, and BBB; pitching a local community story to the news; and sponsoring youth teams or charities with website mentions.

Ask satisfied customers—ideally right after job completion—to include the specific service and city in their review. When you respond, mention the service and location (e.g., “Thanks for trusting us with your water heater replacement in Pine Hills.”). Also, feature select detailed reviews on your website using these keywords.

Post one or two job highlight updates per week (a sentence or two with a photo and location), provide seasonal local tips (like “Winter HVAC checklist for Buffalo homes”), update service pages quarterly with new FAQs or photos, and keep your Google Business Profile hours and service areas current.

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