Local SEO for Landscapers

Someone in your area just typed “landscaper near me” into Google. In a few seconds, they’re going to hire someone. If you’re not in that little Map Pack box at the top, there’s a good chance you just lost the job.

Here’s the thing: getting in there isn’t magic. It’s your Google Business Profile (GBP), and if you set it up right, it can be one of your hardest-working sales tools.

We’ve helped plenty of home service companies grow locally with GBP. This post is basically our playbook, written out so you can run with it. And we even tossed in a quick video that walks you through local search strategy for landscapers.

Why We Love GBP for Local Growth

1. People searching in Google Maps are ready. They’re not “just browsing.”
2. If your competitors are there, you should be too. If they’re not, even better.
3. It’s free. All it costs is the time you put into keeping it fresh.

Google uses GBP to decide if you’re a real, trusted local business. The better you feed it—with accurate info, great photos, and activity—the more it wants to show you off.

How We’d Set Up Your GBP

1. Claim and Verify

Head to google.com/business. Search for your business name. If it’s already there but not claimed, claim it. If it’s missing, create it. Verification is usually a postcard, phone call, or video call.

2. Choose Your Categories Wisely

Primary category? “Landscaper.” After that, only add extras you actually do: “Lawn Care Service,” “Landscape Designer,” “Gardener,” etc. Your categories affect what searches you show up for.

3. Set Your Service Area

If you have an office or shop, add your address. If you’re mobile, list the cities and ZIPs you work in. Don’t list a 200-mile radius just because you can; Google knows when you’re overreaching.

4. Write a Local-Friendly Description

You’ve got 750 characters. Use them to tell people what you do, where you do it, and why they should pick you. Naturally drop in phrases like “landscape design in [City]” or “weekly lawn maintenance in [City].” But don’t repeat location names more than once or twice. It sounds spammy and wastes character space.

5. Add Your Hours (And Keep Them Updated)

Include seasonal changes (spring rush, winter slowdown) and holiday hours.

6. Fill Out Services and Products

List everything you offer, even the small jobs. Use the “Products” section for packages or special offers (like “Spring Cleanup Package”).

7. Upload Photos and Videos That Actually Show Your Work

Before-and-afters, action shots, team pics, seasonal jobs. Take them on-site with your phone’s location services on; Google might read the GPS info when you upload, which can help reinforce you’re local.

Local Search Strategies for Landscapers

If you want to see this in action, watch our quick video on how landscapers can show up in local search results more often and turn those views into booked jobs.

Local SEO Boosters to Use for GBP

• Geotag your images: If you’re already snapping pics on-site, keep location services on.
• Name your files more descriptively: “backyard-landscape-installation-GrandRapids.jpg” beats “IMG_3021.jpg.”
• Reply to reviews like a human: “Hey Michelle! Thanks for letting us transform your Eastown backyard! We’re so happy you enjoy it” is better than “Thanks for the review.”
• Post local updates: “Now booking fall cleanup in Ada, Cascade, and Forest Hills.”

How to Keep Reviews Rolling In

We’ve worked with enough landscapers to know your business lives or dies by reviews and referrals. Here are a few tips to make sure you get more:

• Ask right after the job’s done and the client’s happy.
• Text or email them the direct review link.
• Respond to every review. Thank the happy ones, address concerns in the negative ones, and naturally sprinkle in local or service mentions.

Make it as easy as possible for your clients to leave reviews. If they have to hunt for the right link or can’t find your GBP, they won’t do it, no matter how delighted they are with your work.

Posting Keeps You Visible

Google likes to see that you’re active. Your customers do too. A business that posted within the last week feels more trustworthy than someone who hasn’t touched their profile since 2018.

Steal our post ideas:

• Before/after transformations
• Seasonal tips and reminders
• Limited-time promos
• Community events you’re part of

One post a week is a solid goal, but even every other week or monthly is better than not at all.

How to Track Your Progress

Don’t forget to keep an eye on how you’re doing. GBP’s Performance tab shows you:

• The keywords people searched before finding you
• How many calls, website visits, and direction requests you got
• Where your profile views came from (Google Search vs. Maps, desktop vs. mobile)

Pro tip: add UTM codes to your website link so you can see GBP traffic in Google Analytics. Then you know what’s actually bringing in leads.

Avoid These GBP Facepalms

Setting up a killer GBP is easy, but, unfortunately, so is messing it up. Avoid these goofs to keep from damaging your profile’s performance or your own reputation:

• Shoving keywords into your business name: If your company name is, say, Rockstar Landscaping, don’t name your profile Rockstar Landscaping Near You in Grand Rapids.
• Setting a massive service area you’ll never drive to: Avoid the temptation to be seen everywhere if you won’t actually take jobs out there. That’s a good way to frustrate customers.
• Using stock photos instead of your own work: Even if Adobe Stock or Canva has something that’s “pretty close,” your customers prefer to see your actual work so they know what to expect.
• Ignoring it for months at a time: We get it, you started your business to do landscapes, not sit behind a computer. Even a few minutes a week tending to your GBP will be more valuable in the long run for generating new leads.

Own Your Local Market

Google Maps is the new Yellow Pages, and a well-fed Google Business Profile can be your best source of local leads. Plus, it doesn’t take a ton of effort to get right and get results.

But if you want to go faster and get out from behind your computer, let us help. We’ll audit your GBP and website, show you what to fix first, and cook up a custom plan to work together and get you more jobs.