How to Maximize the Impact of Your Local Service Website

You’ve just built a brand new website for your local service business and you’re wondering, why am I not getting any leads? Here’s what to do next. This simple, low‑cost checklist will help you get the most out of your site. If you built your site with Simbasite, completing your dashboard tasks covers most of this automatically—this version just gives you more context and guidance.

1. Create Your Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor Profiles

Set up your Google Business Profile, Yelp page, and Nextdoor business page, and make sure each one links back to your website. Fully completed profiles with accurate details make your business look real and trustworthy.

2. Collect Reviews

Ask past customers for reviews on Yelp and Google, aiming for at least 3–6 to start. Strong reviews instantly boost trust and make people far more likely to contact you. You’re no longer a stranger—your past customers introduce you. If you use Simbasite, connect your Google and Yelp pages so your newest reviews automatically show up on your site.

3. Add Team Photos and Short Bios

People prefer doing business with real people, not faceless companies. Take clear daylight photos of yourself and your crew, and pair each with a short, friendly bio. This matters even more for local service businesses because customers are hiring a person—not buying a widget. Seeing a warm, trustworthy face increases confidence.

4. Add a Strong Hero Image

This is the first image people see when they land on your site. The best hero image shows you performing the service on-site or in your shop. A clean, friendly team photo in uniform also works well. A picture really is worth a thousand words, and your hero image communicates in milliseconds what you do.

5. Upload Project Photos

Once people know who you are and what you do, show off your work. Finished paint job? Beautiful landscaping project? Post it on Instagram. If you’re a Simbasite user, connect Instagram to your dashboard—adding #Simbasite to your caption automatically pulls the photo into your site. Posting regularly shows potential customers you’re active and doing quality work.

6. Create a Logo + Uniforms

A simple logo and basic uniforms instantly make you look more professional and established, and not like some fly-by-night outfit. Plenty of online tools can help you create a clean, minimal logo. If you’re a Simbasite customer, message us—we’ll design one for you free of charge.

7. Define Your Unique Selling Points

Think of 3–5 reasons someone should choose you over a competitor. Maybe you speak multiple languages, you’re licensed and insured, you respond fast, or you guarantee your work. Call these out clearly—this is what sets you apart.

8. Define Your Service Areas

You’re a local business, so be clear about the areas you serve. List the neighborhoods or cities you cover. This helps customers know if you can help them and also helps Google and ChatGPT send you the right people so you don’t waste time on out‑of‑area leads.

9. Add Your Frequently Asked Questions

Write short, clear answers to the questions you get most often—pricing ranges, payment methods, how scheduling works, whether you offer same‑day appointments, what to expect on the first visit. Don’t make people guess. FAQs create more clarity for your potential customers, and help Google and ChatGPT understand your business more accurately.

10. Make Business Cards + Flyers

Once you have a logo, strong photos, and a clean website, you’re finally ready for promotional tasks. Make simple business cards with your website that you can hand to customers. Print clean flyers with your services and contact info to post around your neighborhood. If you’re in San Francisco, here’s a list of community bulletin boards in SF.

If you’re a Simbasite user, reach out—we’ll design business cards and flyers for you free of charge.

11. Build Backlinks

Backlinks are one of the most important things you can do to improve visibility of your brand and website. You’ve already started by creating Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor profiles. Add links on Facebook, Better Business Bureaw, and any other directories you use. Another great move: partner with adjacent service providers. If you’re a house cleaning service, ask a handyman or painting contractor you trust to link to you.

12. Advertising

Only start ads after you’ve completed everything above. Otherwise, you’re paying your hard‑earned money to send people to a site that doesn’t explain who you are, what you offer, or why they should trust you. Ads are powerful, but they only work when the foundation—profiles, photos, reviews, and messaging—is already solid.