Q&A round
What a plumber, dentist or lawyer asks you about links
Renters do not care about Domain Rating. They care about calls, and whether you will vanish. Here is how we would answer the questions that come up.
Local SEO consulting for renters: eight questions, answered
Did you pay for links to get this site where it is?
Yes, in part, and say so plainly. Most owners buy some links, and a renter who asks directly deserves a straight answer. Explain that you chose them one at a time and keep a record of dates and prices.
What happens if the rankings drop after I sign?
Tell the truth: Google changes things, and no one can promise a position. Offer a month-to-month term and a clear way out. A rank drop after a core update, such as March 2024, is not a breach of anything.
Who owns the phone number and the site?
You do, unless the contract says otherwise, which is the whole point of the model. Put it in writing. The renter pays for leads, and the number should be forwardable but not transferable without a handover fee.
Will you keep buying links while I pay?
Say what you really budget. A fair answer is a small monthly amount, a few dollars to a few tens, for upkeep. Show the order log if they ask to see it.
Can I see where the links come from?
Yes, show the referring domains from Search Console's Links report or a tool like Ahrefs. Offering this builds trust faster than any pitch, and it is hard to fake.
What if a competitor reports the site?
Keep the pages useful and the claims true. A site with real service pages, real hours and a real phone line is harder to complain about. Link patterns alone rarely trigger manual action.
Do I need a Google Business Profile as well?
Probably, if the business qualifies. A profile belongs to the business with its real address and service area. Your site supports it but cannot stand in for it.
How long until I see calls?
It depends on the town and the trade. Give a range from your own tracked data, not a promise. Our twelve-week schedule is a decent starting frame.
How to talk about money without overselling
Say what the site costs you each month: hosting, call tracking, a few links. Owners who show these figures sound like operators, not like salespeople, and clients tend to stay with someone who sounds like a person they can phone.
Skip adjectives.
If the renter asks whether links are risky, point to Google's own spam policies and to your habit of varied, staggered orders. Admit that no approach is risk-free and that you monitor the site in Search Console each week.
Last, write down what you will not do: no fake reviews, no pretending the site is the business itself, no hidden fees. Renters notice when an owner volunteers limits.
Which numbers to bring to the meeting
| Number | Source | Why a renter cares |
|---|---|---|
| Calls per week | Call tracking, such as CallRail | It is the thing they pay for |
| Impressions for the main phrase | Search Console Performance | Shows demand in their town |
| Linking sites | Search Console Links report | Shows you are not hiding anything |
| Monthly upkeep spend | Your order log | Shows you stay committed |
Our view
Honest upkeep beats a clever pitch
Renters stay with owners who answer questions fast and show their numbers. A short log of link orders is a small asset in that conversation.
- Keep the order log current
- Never promise a position
- Offer a month-to-month exit