Overview: The first month focuses on establishing the fundamentals. We kick off with onboarding, set up all necessary tools, and lay a solid foundation for your online presence. Think of this like preparing the ground before building a house – it’s not flashy, but it’s crucial for everything that follows. In this phase, we ensure we have all the access and information we need, and we give you the roadmap for the upcoming months.
Let’s just say, his GBP was rough. Wrong categories, no services listed, no Google Organic Booking integration—it was like trying to win a race with three wheels missing. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We optimized everything from categories to services to business description, and activated the Organic Booking API to send clear signals to Google that this business was ready to compete.
When we ran his Listing Score Report, he got an F (and not the “fun” kind). That report shows how your business appears across the internet—from Google to Yelp to Bing to Yellow Pages. Inconsistent or missing listings can tank your local SEO. We activated our Directory PowerGrid listing distribution and control system plan, which pushed his accurate business information to over 65 directories and citation sites, ensuring he looked sharp and consistent across every platform. Uniformity builds authority in Google’s eyes.
Shockingly, there was no Google Analytics, no Search Console, no Tag Manager… nothing. So we set it all up: GA4, GSC, GTM, and full conversion tracking so we could properly track form fills, calls, and more. Because what’s the point of getting more leads if you can’t even see where they’re coming from?
We installed malware protection and enabled PHP error monitoring, automated backups, WP activity logs, and reporting. Because what’s the point of doing all this good work if the website gets hacked, right?
Once everything was in tip-top shape, we handed over a completely revamped site. Not just pretty—but strategically engineered to rank for high-difficulty keywords (yes, the kind most businesses avoid). Why target high-difficulty terms? Because that’s where the search volume—and the customers—live. We then pass that site off to our SEO PowerStack Team—a crew stacked with some of the best SEO players in the industry. These are the folks who don’t just follow the algorithm—they reverse-engineer it.
In this case, the client already had Google Guarantee, but it wasn’t optimized. He was missing key setup items that would help Google understand exactly what kind of leads he wanted. We enhanced his profile with conversion-driving changes and connected his Google Organic Booking directly to his Google Guarantee listing. This integration sends a strong signal to Google that a powerful lead system is in place behind the scenes. As a result, we saw an increase in exposure, and he got his first lead on January 21—just 9 days into the campaign. Early wins like this are common when the correct optimizations are made, even to existing Google Guaranteed profiles.
By the end of Month 1, all foundational elements are in place. You’ll have access to our tracking dashboard, know your team, and see that we’ve begun plugging your business info into every important channel. This groundwork stage often takes a few weeks, but it sets us up for a smoother ride ahead.