Key Takeaways
- Breaking into the top 3 of the Google Local Pack is possible—even if you’ve been stuck for a while.
- Consistent, accurate business info and targeted local keywords are essential.
- Optimizing your Google Business Profile and website for local intent can quickly boost visibility and leads.
- Regular monitoring and clear reporting keep you on track and show what’s working.
When your business relies on local customers finding you fast—like plumbing does—showing up in the top spots on Google can mean the difference between a steady stream of calls and a quiet phone. Here’s how we helped a plumber in New South Wales finally crack the Top 3 in the Google Local Pack, boost their Profile Views by over 78%, and reach more customers in nearby areas.
The Challenge They Faced
This plumbing company had already tried hiring an SEO agency, but saw little to no improvement. Their website wasn’t ranking for the commercial keywords that matter—like “emergency plumber” or “blocked drain repair”—and leads were drying up. Organic traffic from their Google Business Profile was low, and they felt stuck, unable to break past positions 8–10 in the local pack. They wanted to grow, but their reach was limited to just their immediate neighborhood.
What They Wanted to Achieve
Their goals were clear:
- Rank in the top 3 of the Google Local Pack for key plumbing searches across New South Wales.
- Increase website and Google Business Profile traffic to attract more customers.
- Boost leads and conversions—turning more clicks into calls and bookings.
- Expand their reach beyond just their local suburb and compete with bigger plumbing companies.
- Outrank their main competitors and become a go-to plumber in the area.
Our Approach: A Simple, Step-by-Step Local SEO Plan
We cut out the fluff and focused on what actually moves the needle for local service businesses.
Step 1: Audit & Research
- Local SEO Audit: We reviewed their current online presence, looking for gaps and identifying quick wins.
- Business & Competitor Research: We analyzed what their top competitors were doing right and where our client could stand out. We also made sure we understood their business goals and target service areas.
Step 2: Optimization
- Google Business Profile Optimization: We updated their profile with accurate service categories, a compelling business description, and high-quality, geo-tagged photos of their team and recent jobs.
- NAP Consistency: We ensured their name, address, and phone number were identical everywhere online, from their website to local directories.
- Citation Building & Cleanup: We listed their business in trusted Australian directories and fixed outdated or inconsistent listings.
- Local Keyword Optimization: We targeted location-specific, high-intent keywords like “plumber near me,” “24/7 plumber New South Wales,” and “emergency plumbing services.”
- Website Optimization for Local SEO: We updated their website’s title tags, meta descriptions, and on-page content to reflect their target locations and services.
- Optimized Local Images: We added geo-tagged images of real plumbing jobs to their GBP and website, building trust and local relevance (while geo-tagging images has little effect nowadays, we still do it since it won’t hurt and can only help).
- Local Backlinks: We secured quality links from local business associations, community websites, and relevant industry directories.
Step 3: Monitoring & Reporting
- Progress Monitoring: We tracked rankings, profile views, and website traffic to measure what was working.
- Transparent Reporting: The client received clear, regular updates showing their progress and the impact of each action.
The Results: Big Wins in Just 4 Months
| Month | Organic Traffic | MoM Change (%) | Total Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
February |
397 |
—
|
—
|
|
March |
491 |
+23.58% |
+23.58% |
|
April |
708 |
+44.39% |
+78.30% |
In just three months, the change was dramatic:
- Moved from positions 8–10 to the Top 3 in the Google Local Pack for their main keywords.
- Profile views jumped by 78.35%, increasing from 397 to 708.
- Expanded their reach beyond their immediate neighborhood, attracting customers from nearby areas.
- Leads and inquiries increased, resulting in more booked jobs and a busier calendar.
“I’m so impressed with the results! My site is finally ranking higher, and I’m hoping to see more leads.” – N.W. (Plumber)
Why This Worked So Well
A few key factors drove these results:
- Laser-focused local optimization: We didn’t just optimize for their suburb—we targeted nearby areas and made sure every detail matched what local customers were searching for.
- Consistency and trust signals: Cleaning up citations and adding real, geo-tagged images helped Google trust their business.
- Competitor analysis: By studying what worked for top-ranking plumbers, we could leapfrog them with smarter, more relevant optimizations.
What This Means for You
If you’re a local business owner frustrated by lackluster SEO results, you’re not alone. With a focused, step-by-step approach, you can move up the rankings, attract more local customers, and grow your business—without wasting time or money on strategies that don’t deliver. The next call could be yours!