How Local Businesses Can Show Up on Google

Andres Saldias • July 25, 2025

How Local Businesses Can Show Up on Google

You don’t need to be an SEO expert to get found online. You just need to do the right things, consistently.

Whether you’re a tradie, a creative, or running a local service biz — your next customer is probably Googling you (or someone like you) right now.

So how do you make sure your business actually shows up?

Here’s the game plan we use for our own clients — simple, effective, and totally doable without a full marketing team.


1. Set Up (and Optimise) Your Google Business Profile

If you only do one thing, do this.

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what shows up in Maps and local search results. It’s one of the most powerful tools for local visibility — and it’s free.

Make sure:

  • Your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate
  • You’ve added a short, clear business description with local keywords
  • You’re using real photos — not stock images
  • You’ve selected the right categories (eg. “Electrician” vs. just “Service”)
  • You ask for reviews and respond to them
Pro tip: Keep your listing updated — Google loves fresh info.

2. Make Sure Your Website Matches

Google checks your website to verify that your business is legit. So your website needs to back up your profile.

Check that:

  • Your business name and contact details match exactly
  • You mention your location clearly (e.g., “plumber in Fremantle” instead of just “plumber”)
  • Your homepage clearly says what you do and where you do it

Consistency is key — across your site, your listings, and anywhere else you show up online.


3. Create Location-Based Content

This doesn’t have to be fancy. Just include real references to your service area across your site and blog.

For example:

  • “Trusted accountant for Perth small businesses”
  • “We’ve helped over 50 Gold Coast salons grow online”
  • Blog posts like “5 Web Design Tips for Fremantle Creatives”

This tells Google: Hey, this business is relevant in this area — which boosts your local search ranking.


4. Get Reviews From Happy Clients

Reviews help you show up, and they help people trust you once you do.

Ask your happy customers to leave a Google review — especially if they mention what you did and where you’re based (e.g., “Amazing service from a local landscaping team in Newcastle!”)

Responding to reviews also helps your visibility and shows you care. Win-win.


5. List Your Business in Local Directories

This helps build your local SEO footprint — and gives Google more places to find and verify your info.

Start with:

  • Local business chambers or councils
  • Industry-specific directories
  • Sites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, Oneflare, HiPages, etc.

Again — keep your NAP info consistent everywhere.

5 Signs Your Website’s Holding You Back

By Andres Saldias • July 25, 2025
5 Signs Your Website’s Holding You Back Your website should be your best sales tool. If it’s not doing that, it’s time for a check-up. Let’s not sugarcoat it — your website can either be quietly converting leads in the background… or silently scaring them away. We work with a lot of small businesses, and we see the same website red flags pop up again and again. Here are five signs your site might be the thing standing between you and your next sale. 1. People Visit, But Don’t Take Action Traffic’s coming in, but no one’s clicking the contact button, booking a service, or downloading your freebie? That’s a conversion problem. Look out for: No clear call-to-action (CTA) Cluttered layout Confusing navigation Too many choices, not enough direction Your site should have one clear goal per page — and guide visitors there without friction. 2. It Looks… Outdated We get it — your business comes first. But if your website hasn’t been touched since 2018, people will notice. And trust drops fast when your digital presence feels behind the times. A few things that date a site instantly: Tiny fonts and clunky buttons Slow load times Not mobile-friendly Stock images that scream “generic” Your site doesn’t have to be fancy — just clean, fast, and trustworthy. 3. It Doesn’t Show What You Actually Do This one’s huge. A visitor should be able to tell: What you offer Who it’s for How to take the next step ...all within 5 seconds of landing. If your homepage is all buzzwords and no clarity, people will bounce. Clear beats clever every time. 4. You’re Getting All Your Leads Somewhere Else Relying on DMs, referrals, or socials to do all the heavy lifting? That’s risky — and usually a sign your site isn’t pulling its weight. Your website should be your 24/7 salesperson . If it’s not bringing in leads, bookings, or interest on its own, something’s off. Pro tip: Check your analytics. Where’s your traffic coming from? What pages are they dropping off on? 5. You’re Embarrassed to Share It If you find yourself saying “don’t mind the website, it’s a bit old…” — there’s your answer. Your website should give you confidence. It should feel aligned with where your business is now — not where it was two years ago. If it doesn’t represent your value, it’s time for a refresh. 🔧 The Fix: Start With a Health Check You don’t always need a full rebuild. Sometimes a few smart tweaks can make a world of difference. Grab our [Free Website Health Checklist] to see where you stand — or [book a free chat] and we’ll take a look for you.

How to Know If You’re Ready to Run Meta Ads

By Andres Saldias • July 25, 2025
How to Know If You’re Ready to Run Meta Ads Meta ads can grow your business fast — but only if you’re actually ready. Let’s be real — Meta (Facebook and Instagram) ads can be an absolute game-changer for small businesses. But they’re also not magic. Running ads before you’re ready can be a waste of money, time, and headspace. So how do you know when it’s the right time? Here’s how we help clients figure it out. 1. You Know Your Offer (and Your Audience) Before you spend a cent, you need clarity on two things: Who are you talking to? What are you offering them? If you’re still figuring out your niche or pivoting every few weeks, paid ads will just amplify the confusion. But if you’ve got a clear service or product and a sense of who it’s for — that’s a solid start. 2. Your Website or Landing Page is Solid Meta ads drive traffic. But if people click through and land on a confusing, slow, or DIY-looking website, they won’t convert. Ask yourself: Is it easy for people to take action? Does your site build trust fast? Can they find the info they need in seconds? If not, fix that first. Great ads can’t save a bad site. Pro tip: Use our [Free Website Health Checklist] to check before you launch. 3. You’ve Got Some Organic Traction If no one’s biting organically (aka without ads), that’s a red flag. You don’t need to be viral — but you should know that your offer works, that people are engaging with your content, or that your service solves a real problem. Ads won’t fix a product-market mismatch. They just put a spotlight on it. 4. You’re Ready to Invest — Not Just “Try It” Meta ads are a strategy , not a slot machine. That means: You’ve got a monthly budget (even a small one). You’re not expecting overnight results. You’re ready to test, tweak, and trust the process. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re ready to grow intentionally? Now we’re talking. 5. You’ve Got Support (or a Plan) Ads come with data, decisions, and moving parts. If you don’t have the time (or desire) to manage all that — don’t wing it. You either need: A team like Wink to guide the strategy, or Enough headspace to learn, test, and manage it yourself. Either way, having a clear digital strategy in place will keep your money from going down the drain.