Search engine optimization (SEO) is an unnecessarily complicated term that refers to the steps taken to ensure a given web page is visible during searches on Google, Bing, and other search engines. Naturally, the higher a website appears in search results, the more people will see it. This is why SEO is an important tool for businesses looking to stand out in a crowded field.
SEO is equally vital in the home improvement industry, where pros are constantly looking for ways to carve out more online exposure than their competitors. In part, this is why pros turn to HomeStars. We help pros connect with clients online by putting their profiles in front of homeowners who may have never stumbled across them otherwise. You’ve taken the time to build a great HomeStars profile, so it’s only natural that you want it to be seen as widely as possible. The best part is, HomeStars.com is already optimized for search engines.
Tips For Making Your HomeStars Profile Rank High in Online Searches:
1. Make Sure Your Profile’s Content Is Accurate, Relevant, and Up To Date
Search engines favour web pages that contain high-quality content that is relevant and up to date. The more accurate and current the information on your HomeStars profile is, the higher it will appear in search results.
Here are a few tips for ensuring the content on your HomeStars profile is optimized for search engines:
- Ensure the information on your profile — your company logo, your company address, your contact information, etc. — matches the information available about your company elsewhere on the internet.
- Keep the content on your profile fresh by updating company details whenever a change occurs, continuously adding new pictures, and featuring recent homeowner reviews that speak to the quality of your work.
- Make sure the content on your profile reads well and looks good. High-resolution pictures and well-written content create a solid user experience, which translates to better search engine performance.
2. Get Familiar with Keywords
Keywords are the terms people type into search engines when they’re looking to find information about a particular subject. A user searching for a plumber in Toronto, for example, might type the phrase “plumber Toronto” into Google, making the keywords in that instance, “plumber” and “Toronto.” Including relevant keywords on your HomeStars profile is a great way to ensure it pops up in searches for those topics.
Find out what keywords clients are using while searching for pros in your area using free tools like this one. From there, you can write the company description and image captions on your HomeStars profile with these in mind. Don’t stuff keywords into areas where they don’t fit, but rather build meaningful content around the keywords you discover.
3. Create a Link Building Strategy
The idea behind link building is simple: the more places on the internet that link to a given web page, the better that page will perform in search rankings. Create links between your HomeStars profile and the rest of your online presence by:
- Linking to your website on your HomeStars profile
- Linking to your HomeStars profile on your social media accounts
- Adding the HomeStars review widget to your website to create a link back to your HomeStars profile
4. Delete Duplicate HomeStars Profiles
If your company has multiple HomeStars profiles for any reason, this will hurt your performance on search engines. Contact HomeStars to have these duplicate profiles deleted as soon as possible.
How HomeStars Can Benefit Your Business’s SEO and Exposure:
1. HomeStars Ranks High in Google Search Results Related to Home Project Queries
We know that homeowners do a ton of research before jumping into a home renovation or repair project, and for most, they’re starting their research journey on Google. When searching in Google for terms like “general contractor in Toronto“, Google will immediately provide homeowners with a few different types of search results.
The first item to appear in standard search results are paid Google ads (also known as Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads).
Many homeowners skim through these ads and turn to the organic search results. The first organic result in this example “general contractor in Toronto” is HomeStars.
If you want your business to be on top organically (after ads) where most homeowners are heading first to find a pro you must have a good SEO strategy for your business.
Ranking high in organic search results can take months or even years of work. It is a highly competitive form of exposure, and if working with an SEO agency, can cost some serious cash. At HomeStars, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you at a fraction of the cost. With a strong domain authority, HomeStars populates high in most home improvement project queries driving homeowners directly to your category page. A category page is where homeowners can browse home service pro profiles in a specific service like General Contracting or Plumbing. This 24/7 exposure means more eyeballs on your business.
2. HomeStars Helps Your Business Get Found Organically
Many pros will use different marketing resources such as social media or business brochures to get the word out. When a homeowner sees these resources, many will jump online to research your business to ensure you’re a legitimate and trustworthy choice for hire.
When they type in your business name in Google, they should find both your HomeStars profile page in addition to your website (if you have one). This provides a positive research experience for homeowners as they can now visit your website for more information and read your company reviews on Canada’s largest and most trusted source for community-reviewed home service pros.
3. HomeStars Profile Features and Reviews Work in Harmony to Boost SEO
With the review widget, a pro’s website can be connected and linked to HomeStars, an authoritative and established site. This trusted backlink (meaning another website linking to your own) helps your website become more credible in the eyes of Google. Plus, the widget updates automatically, keeping reviews on your website fresh and relevant.
A HomeStars profile in itself generates more searchable content online for your business, which in turn helps Google recognize you as a more legitimate and authoritative one, helping boost SEO. Upgraded profiles have access to multiple features that can help boost SEO including:
- Reviews. Search engines LOVE reviews! They add legitimacy and authority to any business online.
- Review responses. When responding to customer reviews, repeating keywords like your business’s name and the services you completed for the homeowner are great for search engine juice.
- Business details. Inputting your business name, address, phone number on credible sites like HomeStars (also known as citations) is critical for businesses wishing to rank high in the local organic search results.
- Key terms in profile. Include key terms relevant to your target customer in your HomeStars profile description and website, including items like your services and location.
- Quality photos. Add quality photos and tell your story – the internet is a visual medium, so having attractive before and after pictures of your best work will get homeowners engaged and interested, not to mention setting you up to stand out against competitors.
To sum it up, HomeStars can help establish legitimacy online for your business and boost your search engine rankings. Plus, we make it as easy for pros to join our network and see improvements without ever working with an SEO agency. We help you get found in search, and provide opportunities to help you grow your own SEO, stress-free. If you have any other questions about SEO, make sure to check out this webinar we held, in collaboration with Search Engine People, to learn more about connecting with homeowners via search engines.
Be Found Online Easier
SEO is a lot simpler than the confusing term “Search Engine Optimization” makes it seem. If you populate your HomeStars profile with great content like client reviews and pictures, use popular keywords, and have a simple link-building strategy in place, your HomeStars profile will start ranking high in online searches in no time. Take the first step to updating your profile with recent content by logging in to request a review today. HomeStars can help establish legitimacy online for your business and boost your search engine rankings. Plus, we make it as easy for pros to join our network and see improvements without ever working with an SEO agency. We help you get found in search, and provide opportunities to help you grow your own SEO, stress-free.
If you have any other questions about SEO, make sure to check out this webinar we held, in collaboration with Search Engine People, to learn more about connecting with homeowners via search engines.
