Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers to the questions business owners ask before working with a local SEO specialist.

How long does local SEO take to work?

Honest answer: It depends entirely on your market, competition, current online presence, and how consistently we work together.

Some businesses see movement in weeks. Others take months. There's no universal timeline because every market is different.

What I can tell you:

• Google rewards consistency over time

• Stopping and starting hurts more than slow progress

• Local SEO compounds—month 3 builds on months 1-2

• Patience and realistic expectations matter

What I won't tell you: A specific timeline or guaranteed results. Anyone who promises "page 1 in 30 days" is either lying or using tactics that will hurt you long-term.

Can you guarantee results?

No. And you should run from anyone who does.

Here's why guarantees in SEO are a red flag:

• Google's algorithm changes constantly

• Your competitors are also working on their SEO

• Every market has different variables

• No one controls Google's rankings

What I can guarantee:

• Consistent, quality work every month

• Transparent reporting on what's happening

• Honest communication if something isn't working

• Adjustments when strategy needs to change

The truth: Local SEO increases your visibility and the likelihood of being found. What happens after someone finds you—whether they call, book, or buy—depends on your business, not SEO.

What's included in your packages?

Google Profile Management — $500/month

• 8 optimized Google Business Profile posts

• Profile monitoring and updates

• Monthly performance report

• Best for: Businesses wanting consistent GBP activity

Local SEO Essentials — $900/month

• Everything in Profile Management

• 2-3 website blog posts monthly

• Review monitoring

• Performance tracking

• Best for: Small businesses ready to add website content

Local SEO Growth — $1,300/month

• Everything in Essentials

• 4-5 website posts monthly

• Citation audit and submissions

• Backlink research

• Detailed monthly reports

• Best for: Businesses in moderately competitive markets

Not sure? Book a free 15-minute call. I'll recommend what makes sense—even if it's just the $225 Power Session.

What if I'm in a competitive industry?

Competitive markets take longer and require more consistent effort. That's the reality.

I can't tell you how long or promise specific outcomes, but I can tell you:

• Strategy matters more than budget in crowded markets

• Finding your unique angle often matters more than generic keywords

• Consistent work over 6+ months typically outperforms short bursts

Before we start: I'll audit your market and give you an honest assessment. If I don't think local SEO will move the needle for your situation, I'll tell you.

How much should I expect to invest before seeing any change?

There's no fixed answer. Some businesses notice changes quickly. Others take longer.

What I recommend:

• Commit to at least 3 months before evaluating

• Budget based on what you can sustain, not a quick fix

• Understand that SEO is ongoing, not a one-time project

The honest truth: If you're looking for instant results, SEO isn't the right channel. Paid ads give you immediate visibility (while you're paying). SEO builds slower but can deliver long-term value.

How much of my time will this take?

Very little on your end.

What I need from you:

• Initial information about your business, services, and goals

• Occasional input if I have questions

• A few minutes monthly to review reports (optional but recommended)

You're not doing the work—that's my job. Some clients prefer regular calls; others prefer hands-off with email updates only. Your choice.

Do you work with my type of business?

I work with most local businesses on the Central Coast and in Sydney.

Common industries I work with:

• Trades and construction

• Professional services (legal, accounting, medical)

• Hospitality (cafés, restaurants, accommodation)

• Salons and wellness

• Retail

• Tourism operators

Not ideal for:

• National or international businesses (local SEO isn't the right approach)

• Businesses with extremely niche services and very low search volume

Unsure? Ask me directly. I'll be honest about whether I can help.

What if I tried SEO before and it didn't work?

That's common. Here's what usually went wrong:

• Generic strategy not tailored to your market

• Stopped too early before seeing results

• Focused on wrong metrics (traffic instead of actual enquiries)

• Low-quality work that may have hurt rather than helped

What's different with me:

• You work directly with me

• Custom approach based on your specific situation

• Honest reporting on what actually matters

• If something isn't working, we adjust

I can't promise different results—but I can promise a different approach.

How will I know if it's working?

We track real metrics, not vanity numbers.

What I report on:

• Keyword ranking changes (are you more visible?)

• Google Business Profile actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks)

• Review activity

• Month-over-month trends

What I don't focus on:

• Impressions (meaningless without action)

• Traffic alone (visitors who don't convert don't matter)

• Vanity metrics that look good but mean nothing

The honest caveat: Even strong visibility doesn't guarantee customers. If people find you but don't call, the issue may be your reviews, pricing, website, or something outside SEO. I'll flag these issues if I see them.

Do I need a website?

Not necessarily. Your Google Business Profile alone can generate visibility and calls.

However, a website gives you:

• More opportunities to rank for different keywords

• A place to share more information about your services

• Additional trust signals for Google

• Better credibility with potential customers

My recommendation:

• If you have a website, we optimize it

• If you don't, we can start with GBP-only ($500/month) and add website work later

• If budget is tight, the Power Session ($225) includes guidance on basic setup

How often will I hear from you?

Your choice.

Default communication:

• Monthly report (always)

• Monthly check-in call (optional)

• Email responses within 24-48 hours

If you want more contact, we can arrange it. If you prefer minimal contact, that works too.

What if I'm not seeing results after a few months?

We talk about it.

If rankings aren't improving or you're not seeing any change:

• We review what's happening and why

• We adjust the strategy if needed

• We have an honest conversation about whether to continue

I won't pretend things are working when they're not. If local SEO isn't delivering for your situation, I'd rather tell you than take your money.