Running a local service business like a landscaping company, plumbing service, or HVAC repair is hard work. But to grow your business and attract more customers, you need to make sure people in your area can find you. That’s where local marketing services come in. Marketing can help your business get noticed online and in your community, but deciding what you should handle yourself and what you should hire someone for can be tricky. In this article, we’ll break down the main types of local marketing services your business needs and explain whether they’re DIY-friendly or better left to the experts.
1. Google Business Profile Optimization
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most important marketing tools for local businesses. It’s what shows up when someone searches for your business or service near them on Google or Google Maps. This profile gives customers essential information, like your address, phone number, hours, and services.
DIY or Hire?
You can easily manage your Google Business Profile yourself. It’s free to set up, and you just need to update it regularly with new pictures, service details, and business hours. Make sure to encourage customers to leave reviews too, as positive reviews can boost your local rankings. But, if you don’t have time for all this, consider using Mighty Local! We’ll do it all for you!
2. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Local SEO helps your business show up at the top of search results when people search for services in your area. For example, when someone types “landscaping company near me,” your business should appear. Local SEO involves using location-based keywords, ensuring your website is fast and mobile-friendly, and building backlinks from local sources.
DIY or Hire?
While you can do some basic SEO yourself, like adding location-based keywords to your website and making sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent, more complex SEO tasks like keyword research and building backlinks can get tricky. It’s often a good idea to hire a professional or an agency to handle the more technical side of SEO.
3. Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are great ways to connect with local customers. You can post updates, promote your services, share before-and-after pictures, and even run ads targeting people in your area.
DIY or Hire?
If you have the time, managing your own social media can be a fun way to show off your business. You can post updates, reply to comments, and engage with your community without needing too much technical skill. However, if you want to create professional content or run paid ad campaigns, hiring a social media manager or agency might be worth it.
4. Content Marketing and Blogging
Content marketing is about creating valuable content—like blog posts, guides, or videos—that helps your customers and builds trust with them. For example, a landscaping company might write blogs on lawn care tips or how to choose the right plants for your garden.
DIY or Hire?
If you enjoy writing or creating videos, you can definitely handle content marketing yourself. However, keeping up with regular blog posts or creating high-quality video content can take a lot of time. If you find it hard to stay consistent, hiring a content writer or videographer could save you time and bring in more leads.
5. Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers, promote special offers, and keep your business top of mind. You can send newsletters, service reminders, or seasonal promotions directly to their inbox.
DIY or Hire?
Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact make it easy to create and send emails yourself. They offer pre-made templates, and you can segment your email lists by customer type or location. But if you want to create complex campaigns or don’t have time to manage a list, hiring someone to handle email marketing can make sure it’s done consistently and professionally.
6. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
PPC advertising, such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads, is a way to pay for traffic to your website. You create an ad, and every time someone clicks on it, you pay a fee. These ads can be targeted to local customers searching for services like yours.
DIY or Hire?
While setting up a basic Google or Facebook ad is something you can do on your own, managing a successful PPC campaign requires ongoing optimization. You need to monitor which ads are working, adjust your bids, and make sure you’re not wasting money. For this reason, many businesses find it better to hire an expert in PPC management to maximize their return on investment (ROI).
7. Online Reputation Management
Your online reputation can make or break your business. Managing your online reviews, responding to negative feedback, and maintaining a positive image online are crucial for local businesses. Potential customers are more likely to trust businesses with good reviews and ratings.
DIY or Hire?
You can easily monitor your reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook and respond to customers directly. However, if you’re dealing with a large volume of reviews or negative feedback, hiring a reputation management service can help ensure your online image stays intact.
8. Local Partnerships and Sponsorships
Building partnerships with other local businesses or sponsoring local events can increase your visibility in the community. Whether you’re sponsoring a local sports team, participating in a community event, or teaming up with complementary businesses, these relationships can strengthen your local presence.
DIY or Hire?
This is something you can handle on your own. Developing partnerships and participating in local sponsorships is all about being active in your community. Building relationships with other businesses and staying visible at community events can be managed in-house.
9. Website Design and Maintenance
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A well-designed, fast, and mobile-friendly website can help convert visitors into customers. Regularly updating it with fresh content and ensuring it’s running smoothly is also essential for keeping up with local competition.
DIY or Hire?
If you have basic technical skills, website builders like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace allow you to create and maintain a simple site yourself. However, if you want a more professional look or need advanced features (like an online booking system), hiring a web designer or digital marketing agency can make sure your website is optimized for local SEO and customer conversion.
10. Video Marketing
Videos can be a powerful tool for showcasing your services. You could create “how-to” videos, customer testimonials, or short clips showing your work in action. Video content is often more engaging than text and can help build a stronger connection with your audience.
DIY or Hire?
If you’re comfortable with a camera and basic video editing software, you can create videos yourself. However, high-quality video production often requires specialized equipment and skills, so hiring a videographer for polished, professional videos might be a better option if you want to stand out.
Conclusion: Know When to DIY and When to Hire
For local service businesses, local marketing services are critical to attracting customers and standing out in your community. While there are many marketing tasks you can handle yourself, like managing your Google Business Profile or social media, some require expert knowledge, such as SEO and PPC advertising. By combining DIY efforts with professional help, you can create a comprehensive marketing plan that drives results for your business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, investing in the right local marketing services will help you reach more customers and keep your business thriving.
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