- Written by Hozio
- October 3, 2025
- 3 Minute Read
What Is SEO?
SEO means Search Engine Optimization. It helps your business appear first when someone performs a Google search for a service in your industry, such as “emergency plumber near me” or “HVAC repair Smithtown NY.”
Think about what you would do. Your basement is flooding at 2AM. What are you looking up on Google? More likely than not, it’s “plumber near me,” right? SEO is what gets your business to show up on the top of the list when someone searches for anything related to what you do, instead of showing your competition.
Your Small Business Needs Local SEO
Your competition is down the street, not three states away. Potential customers in your service area, such as Sayville, Oakdale, and Bohemia, need to know that you are the company to go to. Focusing primarily on those areas, and surrounding locations short distances away, is considered “local SEO,” a slight variation of regular SEO.
Local SEO helps you:
- Appear on Google Maps when someone searches for your services
- Show up in the “local pack” (three companies that appear with map pins)
- Be easily found when someone searches for “[your service] + [your town]”
- Build trust with reviews and correct business information
What To Look For In A Bad SEO Company
We’ll tell you what to look for in good SEO companies. But, first, let’s make sure you know how to spot the red flags in bad SEO companies:
They Promise #1 Ratings
If you’re told that you’ll be #1 on search engines within one month, get out of there. Nobody can guarantee a specific ranking due to the changes in Google’s algorithm. Legitimate SEO businesses will discuss improving your visibility and website traffic, not make promises they can’t keep.
No Clear Pricing
Not telling you in advance how much their services cost is a big warning bell, and one that should be taken seriously. You’re working off of a budget and should know exactly how much you would be paying before you commit to anything.
They Use Fancy Tech Language
A good SEO company can tell you what they do in simple terms so you can easily understand it. If they’re using technical language such as “canonical tags” and “schema markup” without explaining what those terms mean for your business, they are not the right partner for you.
No Local Expertise
If they do not know your market—Long Island, NYC boroughs, local competition—they will not know how to position your business properly.
No Questions About Your Business
If they don’t ask you anything about your business, just walk out. An SEO company that is not interested in learning about your services, your customers, or your goals is not going to create a plan that benefits you. One-size-fits-all approaches will not work for trade companies.
Looking for ways to improve your customer growth?
What To Look For In A Good SEO Company
- Direct, Honest Conversation
You should get direct, easy to understand answers to any questions. They should tell you:
- What they will do for you
- How long it will take to see results (3-6 months)
- What success looks like for your business
- The full extent of what you are paying for
- Full Cost In Advance
Look for companies that will give you clear packages or prices. Before signing anything, you should know:
- Monthly costs
- Setup fees (if any)
- What your package includes
- If anything costs extra
If a company will not discuss pricing until after a long sales pitch, you’re better off leaving.
- Focus On The Endgame
Some SEO companies get excited to see website traffic and rankings grow. But, you need an SEO company that cares about the same thing you do: Are you getting more phone calls? More quote requests? More jobs?
A good SEO company knows that your definition of success is:
- Getting calls from new customers
- Contact forms on your website being filled out
- More service calls are scheduled
- Increasing your revenue
- They Understand Small Trade Business
SEO companies worth your time are ones that are familiar with contractors and trade professionals. To tell the difference between ones to speak to further and ones to cross off your list, the SEO companies to consider:
- Know that emergency services mean people need you immediately
- Understand seasonal business (HVAC, landscaping)
- Get that your customers are homeowners and small businesses
- Understand how to show your work (before/after photos, project galleries)
- Technical Stuff Is Handled For You
A good SEO company should not expect you to lift a finger or know anything about website hosting, mobile optimization, or page speed. Instead of looking to you for that, they will:
- Take care of technical website issues
- Make sure your website works perfectly on mobile phones
- Guarantee your site loads quickly
- Handle ongoing maintenance
- Update your website when needed
- Local SEO Knowledge
If you are a trade business, local SEO is essential. Ask potential SEO companies:
- “How will you help me appear on Google Maps?”
- “What will you do to help me rank for searches in my town?”
- “How can you help me get more reviews?”
- “In what ways will you help me show up in the ‘local pack’ results?”
- They Will Show You Real Results
Ask them for:
- Case studies from other small businesses (such as other contractors or trade businesses)
- Examples of websites they have worked on
- Screenshots of rankings or traffic increases
- Reviews from businesses similar to yours
If they can’t or won’t show you any of this, look for someone who will.
What You Should Ask Before Hiring An SEO Company
Think of it like a job interview. You want to make sure you’re hiring the right fit. So, ask questions about:
Their Process:
- “Can you tell me what you will do for my business in simple terms?”
- “How long will it be before I see results?”
- “What will you need from me to begin?”
Pricing:
- “What do you charge on a monthly basis?”
- “Are there setup fees?”
- “What happens if I need to cancel?”
Your Business:
- Have you worked with clients in my industry before?
- How will you help me get more local customers?
- Will my website work properly on cell phones?
Communication:
- “How often will we communicate?”
- “Will I get reports that tell me what you are doing?”
- “Can I call or email you when I have questions?”
Payment Expectations
On average, small trade businesses in the NYC area tend to spend the following on reasonable SEO services:
- Basic Local SEO: $500-$1,000 per month
- Standard Package: $1,000-$2,000 per month
- Extensive Services: $2,000-$3,500 per month
But, there are things that can impact the price. Such details include:
- Competition in your area
- Number of services you offer
- If you need a new website or just SEO
- Amount of locations you serve
If the price is too low, as tempting as it may be, you would be right to be suspicious. Real SEO work takes time and knowledge.
Is SEO A DIY Project?
There are some things you can do on your own:
- Claim your Google Business Profile
- Ask happy customers for reviews
- Post pictures of completed jobs on social media
- Make sure your business name, address, and phone are correct everywhere you have a profile
But, this is where a professional hand could be useful:
- Technical website optimization
- Keyword research and strategy
- Building quality backlinks
- Ongoing content creation
- Monitoring and adjusting your strategy
If you try to perform SEO yourself, that means:
- Not being able to take a paying job
- Learning a deep technical curve
- Potentially making mistakes that hurt your rankings
- Slow or no results
A good SEO company is worth the money by getting you more customers.
Decision Time
Ultimately, these are the most important things to think about when choosing an SEO company:
Must-Haves:
- Clear, affordable pricing
- Knowledge with local business
- Good and simple communication
- Real examples of previous results
- No long-term contracts
Nice-to-Haves:
- Has worked with trade businesses
- Local to your area
- Website design/maintenance included
- Review management services
- Monthly reports
Deal-Breakers:
- Guaranteed rankings
- No discussion of pricing
- Requires yearly contracts in advance
- No proof of results
- Bad online reviews
In The End…
You are looking for someone who:
- Understands your business market
- Communicates in easy-to-understand terms
- Offers honest and upfront pricing
- Proven results with businesses similar to yours
- Handles technical stuff for you
This is not a decision to rush into. Speak to multiple companies, at least two or three, to get a grasp of what your options are, and who you trust.
Your website and online presence are investments in your business. Pick a partner who is as dedicated to it as you are.
Next Steps
Have you decided to find the right SEO company for your trade business?
- Write down your budget and goals
- Make a list of 3-5 SEO companies to get in touch with
- Use the questions listed above to interview them
- Ask for references from businesses similar to yours
- Start with a short-term commitment (3-6 months) before signing long contracts
Keep in mind: the best company for your small trade business is one that helps you to grow your customer base and increase your revenue without wasting your time or money.
If you need help being found on the internet, the right SEO partner can make sure that your business has a strong stream of new customers finding you online. Take all the time you need, ask all the questions that matter to you, and choose your partner wisely. The right SEO company is the one that prioritizes you first.
