Chicago remodeling. Cost/time to the top?

[Chicago soap]

Hi Guys. Great forum!

I have a 3 week old website. I'm looking for an unbiased opinion. Not someone who wants sell me on their SEO service. Pretty sure I can find it here.

Chicago remodeling I guess are my main keywords. I do everything from roofs to bathrooms, siding, and windows. How competitive is this market? If I spent 5k per month for 6 months straight would I be in the top 3? What about 10k?

I would be willing to pay someone for an honest answer. Should I find a consultant to point me in the right direction? I have an seo guy now that charges 150.00 a month. He's only been at it 1 month.

I'm worried that in the third largest city in the US it might take me years to get to the top 3. I'm very serious about my business. I want to be #1!! Ive talked 1 other SEO dude but he wants my business so I feel he is biased of course. I want someone to tell me the cold hard facts about my keywords and competition! How long and how much? Let me have it!! (please) Soap EDIT: Originally posted this in the wrong forum. Sorry mods.

[packerfan]

Chicago remodeling gets 320 exact searches per month. I'd recommend you spend your money on keyword research at this point. Even if you ranked #1 for that keyword, you won't get enough traffic to matter.

If you have a budget like that, target 100s of keywords that are easy to rank for and are better buying keywords.

[packerfan]

Just an example...

Bathroom remodeling chicago and kitchen remodeling chicago both get more searches.

[yukon]

OP, you'll need an expert that deals with Google Places seo.

If your site/page ranks #1 in Google SERPs you'll still be in the middle of the SERP page, since all the Google Places are at the top of the local Chicago SERPs..

Like already said, that's a low traffic keyword (Chicago remodeling).

Might want to consider a bunch of long-tail keywords, that way If one keyword slips in the SERPs you'll have a bunch of traffic coming in from other related keywords.

[Chicago soap]

Wow. Thanks for the quick responses. I'll look for a google places expert. My research has been on seo for a large city. I read something about trying to get geographically in the center of a large city. Seems alot of my competitors have beat me to this. There is no reason to have a remodeling company in the loop in Chicago. yet...seems there are a few there.

I'm awesome at running a remodeling business. Not so much for SEO. What would my 5k per month get me. I'm not afaid of spending the money...just wasting it. Would I even need to spend that much? How much would a fella charge to do some good keyword research? Thanks a sh*tload for the responses! Ive learned more on here in 10 minutes than 10 days on my own. Soap

[yukon]

Originally Posted by Chicago soap

Wow. Thanks for the quick responses. I'll look for a google places expert. My research has been on seo for a large city. I read something about trying to get geographically in the center of a large city. Seems alot of my competitors have beat me to this. There is no reason to have a remodeling company in the loop in Chicago. yet...seems there are a few there.

I'm awesome at running a remodeling business. Not so much for SEO. What would my 5k per month get me. I'm not afaid of spending the money...just wasting it. Would I even need to spend that much? How much would a fella charge to do some good keyword research? Thanks a sh*tload for the responses! Ive learned more on here in 10 minutes than 10 days on my own. Soap

The suggestion for the Google Places expert was based on the keyword you already provided (Chicago remodeling). Since Google Places is at the top of the SERPs for that keyword.

Something you might want to do is dig in to your competitions keywords & pick out anything related to your business.

Example:

1) The first website ranking #1 in Google SERPs is a Google Places site (www.mayaconstructioninc.com) for your keyword Chicago remodeling.

2) Copy & paste the competitions URL into Google Keyword Tool, then check only Exact Match in the left sidebar. This will give you a list of keywords that your competition has on their own website, pick the relevant higher traffic keywords that relate to your business

[yukon]

Also, I can't tell you what your $5k will get you, I do now If you keep flashing around money you'll have everyone & their brother knocking down your door (just saying).

On the other hand don't fall for the cheapest guy, you'll end up with nothing ranked in the SERPs.

I know a guy that's from Chicago that does a lot of Google Places seo, If you want I'll PM you his info. maybe you can setup a face to face & see what he can do for you?

[Chicago soap]

Your right about the money. Im just trying to get an idea of what it would take and how long it would take to get to the top. Thanks for your valuable advice. Maybe there is not a direct correlation between money spent and rankings. Its more about who you get I guess.

I'm looking for some honesty first of all. If it will take 1 1/2 years to get to where some of my competitors are then so be it. I just want to know that up front. Damn, thanks again for valuable time! soap

[yukon]

You should also know that no matter what anyone tells you it's absolutely impossible to guarantee you any SERP position. Google SERPs & all other search engines are changing every second of the day (everyday). Just a heads up because I know some folks will try & guarantee that they can rank your sites pages for whatever your keywords are.

Some keywords are very easy to rank, but the high traffic keywords need constant maintenance (building backlinks, new content, etc...), some just take more work than others. Most times the higher the traffic count, the harder it is to rank.

If it was me, I would be going after the easy long-tail keywords first. I would rather get some traffic flowing ASAP with alternitive relevant keywords now, than wait for a single keyword to get ranked in the SERPs.

You need to take some time & make a list of every single thing that your business can do.

Your a construction business, does that include other keywords that might be easier to rank (example):

• bathroom remodeling
• kitchen remodel
• general contractor
• refacing kitchen cabinets
• renovations
• commercial construction
• home repairs
• custom kitchens

A wide variety of targeted keywords is a better safety net than a single hard to rank keyword. I'm not trying to turn you off on your keyword, just letting you know that other keyword options are out there.

BTW, that list above are a few of your competitions keywords.

[Chicago soap]

First thanks for your free advice Yukon. I tried to send you a Pm but I can't yet due to my limited posting. Any way you can contact me? Hope you see this.

[MikeFriedman]

First of all, you need an SEO, or marketer in general, that understands local SEO versus the internet marketing version of SEO.

320 searches a month might seem low to an internet marketer, however, for local SEO for your line of work, that is an excellent keyword to go after. I'm guessing for a typical remodeling job, you probably are looking at a minimum of $2000, but in most cases more than that. Therefore, even if a smaller searched term like that only brings you a customer or two a month (on the low end), it is still a great ROI for your business. You don't need a ton of sales to make money on that term.

If there are related search terms with more searches per month, of course they should be targeted as well.

As was mentioned, you need someone that understand Google Places and how to optimize the listing.

I would say you should have a presence on Facebook and YouTube as well where you can post pictures and slide shows of recently completed remodeling projects. These sites can be SEO optimized as well to give you more than just one listing on the first page of Google for each targeted keyword.

For example, I have a local client whose website is #1 (Google Places listing), their Facebook page is #4-7, and there is a YouTube video or blog that shows up at #8 or #9 for each of their targeted keywords. Google says that on average the #1 listing gets about 50-55% of the search traffic. What we have seen happen for this client for about 6 months now is that their website gets about 80% of the clicks instead of 50% from the search traffic. I fully believe it is because searchers see multiple listings for the same business on page one and decide that this business is the answer to their query. It makes them standout as an industry leader.

Not SEO related, but Facebook Ads and AdWord ads are probably a good thing to look into as well.

Lastly, you need to make sure the visitors you are getting to your website have a reason to call you. I would probably offer a coupon for a "percentage off the labor when mentioning this coupon" type deal or a free estimate if they call now.

For the amount you are looking to spend, you should be able to easily find a company to handle all of that. $5000 a month is probably more than you would have to spend for just SEO. Now if you are looking for a company to handle everything... Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, running online Ads, posting services offered listings in Craigslist, listing your business in all local online directories, and SEO... Then $5000/month sounds about right.

Spending $150/month for SEO is extremely low. If the guy is good at what he does, great. You are getting a ridiculously great deal. About the lowest price I have seen in my town (a much smaller one than Chicago) would have an extra zero on the end.

Ok, end of babbling.

[yukon]

Originally Posted by Chicago soap

First thanks for your free advice Yukon. I tried to send you a Pm but I can't yet due to my limited posting. Any way you can contact me? Hope you see this.

PM sent, with my email.

[Chicago soap]

Originally Posted by MikeFriedman

First of all, you need an SEO, or marketer in general, that understands local SEO versus the internet marketing version of SEO.

320 searches a month might seem low to an internet marketer, however, for local SEO for your line of work, that is an excellent keyword to go after. I'm guessing for a typical remodeling job, you probably are looking at a minimum of $2000, but in most cases more than that. Therefore, even if a smaller searched term like that only brings you a customer or two a month (on the low end), it is still a great ROI for your business. You don't need a ton of sales to make money on that term.

If there are related search terms with more searches per month, of course they should be targeted as well.

As was mentioned, you need someone that understand Google Places and how to optimize the listing.

I would say you should have a presence on Facebook and YouTube as well where you can post pictures and slide shows of recently completed remodeling projects. These sites can be SEO optimized as well to give you more than just one listing on the first page of Google for each targeted keyword.

For example, I have a local client whose website is #1 (Google Places listing), their Facebook page is #4-7, and there is a YouTube video or blog that shows up at #8 or #9 for each of their targeted keywords. Google says that on average the #1 listing gets about 50-55% of the search traffic. What we have seen happen for this client for about 6 months now is that their website gets about 80% of the clicks instead of 50% from the search traffic. I fully believe it is because searchers see multiple listings for the same business on page one and decide that this business is the answer to their query. It makes them standout as an industry leader.

Not SEO related, but Facebook Ads and AdWord ads are probably a good thing to look into as well.

Lastly, you need to make sure the visitors you are getting to your website have a reason to call you. I would probably offer a coupon for a "percentage off the labor when mentioning this coupon" type deal or a free estimate if they call now.

For the amount you are looking to spend, you should be able to easily find a company to handle all of that. $5000 a month is probably more than you would have to spend for just SEO. Now if you are looking for a company to handle everything... Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, running online Ads, posting services offered listings in Craigslist, listing your business in all local online directories, and SEO... Then $5000/month sounds about right.

Spending $150/month for SEO is extremely low. If the guy is good at what he does, great. You are getting a ridiculously great deal. About the lowest price I have seen in my town (a much smaller one than Chicago) would have an extra zero on the end.

Ok, end of babbling.

Thanks for the advice. Its was just what I was looking for.

[sidexside]

Definitely focus on the google places listing and other related long tail key phrases that potential customers would be searching for.

Also the #1 result for me on google.com showed just under 300 backlinks in a backlink checker when searching for "chicago remodeling". I did not study these links, but at first glance your objective does not seem impossible or that difficult.

Heck with enough research and effort you could easily do this on your own I feel.
Good luck.