seo for painters
Step-by-step local SEO and marketing tactics that get painters more calls and booked jobs in 2025
This guide shows the exact pages, keywords, photos, and review strategies painting businesses use to rank in local searches and convert visitors into jobs — with clear tasks you can implement this week.
Avg increase in enquiries after local SEO
Searches for painters are local "near me" queries
Higher review rating = higher click-through rates
Build a live, optimised site with Congero demo (via WhatsApp)
Quick start checklist: Do these in the next 7 days
A short, practical list that gets you visible fast.
- Create or claim your Google Business Profile (GMB) and verify it
- Add 10 high-quality project photos (before/after) to GMB and your site
- Create 3 service pages: Interior Painting, Exterior Painting, Commercial Painting
- Write title tags and meta descriptions for your homepage and service pages
- Enable analytics and conversion tracking (Google Analytics + simple phone-call tracking)
Keyword research & structure: what pages to build
Structure your site around high-intent search terms people use when booking painters.
Core service pages (must-have)
- Interior painting [city] — keyword: interior painter [city]
- Exterior painting [city] — keyword: exterior painter [city]
- House painting [city] — keyword: house painter near me
- Commercial painting [city]
- Door & trim painting, deck staining (service-specific)
Keyword tips & templates
Use local modifiers and intent words:
- Primary: exterior painter [suburb/city]
- Secondary: best painter near me, house painters quotes, affordable painters [city]
Content notes
- Write each service page with 500–1,200 words focused on problems you solve (prep, materials, guarantees, timeline).
- Internally link service pages from homepage and related blog posts.
Google Business Profile: the single most important local signal
A complete, optimised GMB profile will move you up in the local pack and Google Maps.
- Complete every field: business name exactly as used on signage, full address, correct phone, website, hours, services, and service areas.
- Choose accurate categories: Primary: Painter. Secondary: House Painter, Exterior Painter, Commercial Painter.
- Add 10+ photos: before/after, trucks, team at work, close-ups of finishes. Photos should be high quality and labelled (see photo section).
- Use Posts: weekly posts for specials, recent projects, or seasonal services (e.g., deck staining in spring).
- Answer Q&A: proactively add common questions and answers (payment methods, warranties, lead time).
Photos & project galleries: convert browsers into booked jobs
Photos are trust signals. Use them strategically.
Photo best-practices
- Before & after photos are the highest converting
- Use natural light and tidy staging
- Crop for mobile view — square or 4:3 works well
- Compress images for speed (under 200KB where possible)
- Add descriptive alt text: "Exterior house painting blue trim Sydney - before"
Gallery structure
- Create galleries by job type (interior, exterior, decks, commercial)
- Include short captions describing the work, products used, and time to complete
- Consider short project videos (30s timelapse) for social & site
Image filename & alt tag examples
alt="Exterior house painting before - two-storey home, Sydney"
exterior-house-painting-sydney-after.jpg
alt="Exterior house painting after - two-storey home, Sydney, clean finish"
Reviews: how to systematically get 5-star feedback
Reviews drive clicks and trust. Aim for quality and quantity.
- Ask at the right time: request a review the day the job finishes or after final walkthrough when the client is happiest.
- Make it simple: send a short SMS with a direct link to your Google review form. Example: "Hi Mark — glad you're happy with the paint job. Could you leave a quick Google review? "
- Offer guidance: suggest what to mention: punctuality, workmanship, clean-up, value.
- Respond to every review: thank positive reviewers, address negative feedback publicly and offer to resolve offline.
- Use reviews on your site: add a rotating testimonials section with star rating and a link to the live Google review.
On-page SEO checklist (do this for every page)
- Title tag: Include primary keyword + city + business name (under 60 characters)
- Meta description: Clear CTA and one keyword (under 155 characters)
- H1: One clear headline containing the main keyword
- Use H2/H3 for services, process, guarantees, FAQs
- Schema: Add LocalBusiness and Service schema (see code sample)
- Page speed: aim < 2.5s mobile — compress images, lazy-load galleries
- Mobile-first design: big call-to-action buttons and clickable phone link
Example LocalBusiness schema (minimal)
Local citations & directories
Consistent business details across the web improve local rankings.
- Ensure NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) everywhere — website, GMB, Yellow Pages, local chamber, TrueLocal, Hotfrog, Houzz
- List in 8–12 reputable local directories; avoid low-quality spammy sites
- Keep service areas tight — list suburbs you actually service
Local ads that convert: Google Local Services & Search Ads
Paid ads are great for filling immediate slots — use them smartly.
Google Local Services (where available)
- High-intent leads; often pay-per-lead rather than click
- Require background checks and licensing — good trust signal
Search Ads tips
- Target city and suburb keywords with ad copy like "Same-week house painting — Free quote"
- Use call extensions and schedule ads during business hours
- Set conversion tracking for phone calls and contact form submissions
Tracking & measuring results
You must measure to improve. Start simple and add depth later.
- Install Google Analytics (GA4) and link to Google Search Console
- Enable call tracking (use a trackable number for ads and site buttons)
- Set goals: contact form submitted, phone call > 30s, online booking
- Monitor top pages and search queries in Search Console each month
Common mistakes painters make (and how to fix them)
Fix: Write service pages that describe your process, materials, warranties, and timelines. Specificity builds trust and matches search intent.
Fix: Re-shoot key projects in daylight, show before & after, and compress images for speed.
Fix: Claim and fully complete your Google Business Profile — it's often the #1 source of local leads.
Fix: Use a simple SMS link and ask for a review at job handover; reward staff for review collection.
Want help implementing this quickly?
Congero builds mobile-first, local SEO optimised websites for painters and other trades — live in 60 seconds via WhatsApp and managed for a flat monthly fee.
- Local SEO setup (meta tags, schema, sitemap)
- Google Business Profile guidance and photos added
- Unlimited text-in updates — change prices, add projects instantly
- All-inclusive hosting, domain, SSL and analytics
Congero pricing is a simple flat fee (no lock-in). Ask about our painter-specific templates and local SEO add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I see SEO results?
Can I manage reviews and content myself?
Do I need to blog to rank?
What pages should my homepage link to?
Get more local painting jobs this month
If you want a fast, SEO-ready website and help implementing the steps above, Congero can build and optimise your site — live in 60 seconds and managed for a simple monthly fee.
All sites include hosting, SSL, local SEO setup, and unlimited updates. No lock-in contracts.
