When local homeowners need a trade professional, search behavior is changing fast.

If your Google Business Profile has outdated hours, a wrong phone number, or reviews from three years ago, Google’s algorithm moves you down the map pack—and hands that job straight to your competitor.

If you own a home service business, you have an online reputation—whether you are actively managing it or not.

Today, reviews are the modern word-of-mouth. A business with a 4.8 rating will almost always beat a business with a 3.5 rating, even if the latter is cheaper.

If your online presence doesn't immediately inspire trust, customers are moving on to the next guy.