How much does done-for-you local marketing cost?
Published agency pricing for local businesses often falls between about $400 and $2,000+ per month, depending on whether the package includes only Google Business Profile work or adds website, reviews, social, and outreach. My Simple AI Help currently offers Get Found ($497/mo) and Look Pro ($799/mo), month-to-month. Grow opens in Phase 2 — pricing then.
Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
Many homeowners call straight from Google Maps. Still, a clean website backs up trust — services, service area, photos, and a contact path. Weak or outdated sites lose jobs after someone clicks through. Best combo: strong GBP + simple accurate site.
Is it legal to ask customers for Google reviews?
Yes — ask for honest feedback. Never offer incentives for reviews, never buy fake reviews, never post reviews you didn't earn. Respond professionally to negatives; draft-and-approve is standard agency practice.
How is this different from other “done for you” agencies?
Many agencies say done-for-you, then expect you to log into their app, client portal, or marketing dashboard. We handle it. Listings, review responses, posts, and updates are done by us. You get one weekly email in a short note — not another login to babysit.
What is done-for-you marketing?
We handle listings, review replies, Google posts, citations, and web updates. You get a weekly short note — not a software login or portal you’re expected to run. Sensitive review responses and outreach emails go through you before they go live.
How long does local SEO take?
You should see visible progress — profile cleanup, reviews, numbers in your weekly email — within the first month. More booked work and profit often follows in 60–90 days. Anyone promising guaranteed #1 map placement or overnight revenue is overpromising — algorithms and competition vary by city.
What is AEO and does it matter for local businesses?
Answer Engine Optimization means writing clear Q&A content (like this page) so search engines and AI tools can surface direct answers. Blog posts, FAQ schema, and service-page FAQs help — especially for "how do I get more Google reviews" style questions.
How should a contractor reply to Google reviews?
Reply publicly to every review — good and tough — in a short note within a day or two when you can. Thank them by name if Google shows it, mention the job in one line, and invite a direct call only if something still needs fixing. Don’t argue the star rating in public. A short thank-you beats silence; silence looks like you disappeared after the job.
Why must my name and phone match on Yelp, Bing, and Apple Maps?
Those sites don’t automatically stay in sync with Google. Pick one official name, address, and phone, then make Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places, and Apple Business Connect match. “Close enough” still confuses homeowners and can cost calls.
What if my website phone number doesn’t match Google?
Conflicting numbers split trust — Google says call A, the site says call B. Make every phone on the site match Google exactly: header, footer, contact page, and click-to-call buttons. Fix header and contact first, then footer and older pages.
What are Google Business Profile citations?
Citations are listings of your business name, address, and phone on directories (Yelp, industry sites, local chambers, etc.). Consistent NAP across Google, your site, and directories supports local trust signals.
Should local businesses post on LinkedIn?
For B2B or commercial work (property managers, general contractors, referral partners), LinkedIn helps credibility. For walk-in retail or residential emergency calls, Google and reviews usually matter more. Many businesses benefit from both — Google for local customers, LinkedIn for commercial relationships.
Do you run paid Google Ads?
Phase 1 focuses on organic visibility — Get Found (Google, reviews, directories) and Look Pro (adds website and social). Not paid ad management. Ask us directly if you want referrals or a future ads add-on.
Do you answer phones for clients?
Not in Phase 1. Right now we cover Google visibility, reviews, directories, and — on Look Pro — web and social, done for you, with one weekly Scoreboard email so you stay in the loop without living in software. Phone answering is Phase 2.
Who do you work with?
Small and mid-size local businesses — contractors and trades, retail, and professional services (real estate, salons, consultants, and similar) — that depend on phone calls, reviews, and online reputation. Nationwide remote delivery. Not sure if you're a fit? Ask — we'll tell you honestly. We don't take on medical or legal practices.
Is there a long-term contract?
Month-to-month. Founding clients: 15% off months 1–3 (first five clients). Setup fees are one-time and not discounted.
How do I turn on Google message auto-reply? (free, ~5 minutes)
When someone taps Message on your Google listing, your welcome message goes out right away — before you open the app. That keeps the lead warm while you’re on a job. Google’s menus change sometimes; look for Messages, Chat, or Welcome message if your screen looks different.
Step 1 — Google Maps app
Sign in with the account that manages the business → your profile picture → Your Business Profile → your listing.
Step 2 — Turn messaging on
Settings or ⋯ → Messaging / Chat → switch On. No Messaging option? Google may not offer it for every category yet — check again later. Honest rule: if nobody will watch messages, turn it Off. A dead Message button hurts more than no button.
Step 3 — Welcome message
Name a real callback window and your phone for emergencies. Example for trades: “Thanks for messaging [Business Name]. We’re often on job sites — we read every message and call back the same business day. For emergencies, call [your phone] now.”
Step 4 — Reply when you can
Maps → your profile → Messages. Many customers expect a human follow-up within about an hour during business hours.
Step 5 — Test
From a second phone, search your business, tap Message, confirm your welcome text appears.
For website visitors who want an answer in seconds, see our Instant Chat add-on — or ask Claire on this page.
What is the Weekly Scoreboard?
One email per week — not another login. We tell you what we did (posts live, reviews answered, listings fixed), what’s next, and your numbers (review count, profile views where Google shows them, pipeline notes on higher tiers).
Every package includes it. If you hate dashboards and client portals, this is the point — we run the work; you read the note.
Is Review Desk different from Get Found?
Get Found ($497/mo) is the full lane — Google profile, posts, directories, review requests, and reply drafts you approve. Best when visibility overall is the pain.
Review Desk add-on is for owners who already get reviews and only want replies handled — we draft, you approve, we post on Google and Yelp. $297 trial (2 weeks + up to 10 older reviews cleaned) · $197/mo after. See add-on details.
We don’t promise rankings from replies alone — we promise you won’t leave good reviews hanging.
What is Instant Chat on my website?
Instant Chat is a done-for-you add-on: Claire lives on your website, answers common questions in seconds (type or tap to speak), captures name and contact info, and sends leads to your inbox — while you’re under a house or on the road.
We install and tune her on your site (you share login — we don’t expect you to paste code), train her on your FAQ, and improve FAQ pages for Google while we’re in there. Requires a website. From $297 setup + monthly by traffic. Pricing and details · Ask us · demo: open Claire on this page.
This is separate from Google’s free message welcome in the Maps app — many businesses use both.
How do I contact My Simple AI Help?
