[NYSE]S&P 500:4,543.21+0.5%•[NASDAQ]NASDAQ:14,231.45+0.8%•[NASDAQ]Apple:$178.65+1.2%•[NASDAQ]Microsoft:$423.10+0.8%•[NASDAQ]NVIDIA:$832.42+2.3%•[KOSPI]Samsung:₩88,800-0.8%•[KOSPI]SK Hynix:₩259,000+1.5%•[FX]USD/KRW:1,334.50•[Crypto]Bitcoin:$52,341-1.2%•[KRX]KOSPI:2,501.23-0.3%•[NYSE]S&P 500:4,543.21+0.5%•[NASDAQ]NASDAQ:14,231.45+0.8%•[NASDAQ]Apple:$178.65+1.2%•[NASDAQ]Microsoft:$423.10+0.8%•[NASDAQ]NVIDIA:$832.42+2.3%•[KOSPI]Samsung:₩88,800-0.8%•[KOSPI]SK Hynix:₩259,000+1.5%•[FX]USD/KRW:1,334.50•[Crypto]Bitcoin:$52,341-1.2%•[KRX]KOSPI:2,501.23-0.3%
← Back to Insights
Case Study

From 0 to 300 Reviews: Local SEO Transformation

The Local Visibility Crisis

A local home services company came to us invisible online. Despite great service and happy customers, they were losing to competitors with worse service but better online presence.

**Starting Point:**

  • 12 Google reviews (3.8 stars)
  • Page 3 for main keywords
  • 7 calls/month from Google
  • No review management system

The Transformation Strategy

Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1-2)

**Google Business Profile Optimization:**

  • Added 50+ photos (before/after, team, equipment)
  • Wrote compelling business description
  • Added all service areas
  • Set up proper categories
  • Created Google Posts schedule

**Review Infrastructure:**

  • Automated review requests
  • SMS and email sequences
  • QR codes for on-site requests
  • Review response templates
  • Negative review intercept system

Phase 2: Acceleration (Month 3-6)

**Review Generation Campaign:**

  • Contacted past customers
  • Incentivized team for requests
  • Added review links to all touchpoints
  • Created video testimonials
  • Launched referral program

**Local SEO Optimization:**

  • Built 50 local citations
  • Created location pages
  • Optimized for "near me" searches
  • Added local schema markup
  • Built local backlinks

Phase 3: Domination (Month 7-11)

**Advanced Strategies:**

  • Competitor review analysis
  • Keyword optimization in reviews
  • Photo SEO optimization
  • Google Posts 3x/week
  • Local PR campaigns

The Results

**Review Metrics:**

  • **Total Reviews**: 312 (2,500% increase)
  • **Average Rating**: 4.8 stars
  • **Response Rate**: 100%
  • **Monthly New Reviews**: 28

**Business Impact:**

  • **Phone Calls**: 89/month (1,171% increase)
  • **Website Traffic**: 450% increase
  • **Direction Requests**: 380% increase
  • **Revenue**: 220% increase

Key Success Factors

1. Systematic Approach

Not random requests but automated systems:

  • Post-service automation
  • Milestone triggers
  • Happy customer identification
  • Multi-channel requests

2. Response Management

Every review got a response:

  • Within 24 hours
  • Personalized (not templates)
  • Professional for negatives
  • Keyword-optimized

3. Visual Content

Photos drove engagement:

  • Before/after galleries
  • Team member spotlights
  • Equipment and process
  • Customer success stories

Lessons Learned

**What Worked:**

  • SMS had 3x higher response than email
  • Asking at point of satisfaction
  • Making it incredibly easy (one-click)
  • Following up on non-responders
  • Incentivizing without violating guidelines

**What Didn't:**

  • Mass email blasts
  • Asking too soon after service
  • Generic review requests
  • Ignoring negative reviews
  • Buying fake reviews (never do this)

Your Local SEO Checklist

1. ✓ Claim and verify GMB 2. ✓ Complete every field 3. ✓ Add photos weekly 4. ✓ Post updates regularly 5. ✓ Respond to all reviews 6. ✓ Build citations 7. ✓ Create location pages 8. ✓ Monitor competitors 9. ✓ Track phone calls 10. ✓ Measure ROI

Ready to dominate local search? [Let's talk](/contact) about your local presence.