Plumber SEO Checklist: 27 Steps to Rank #1 in 2026

Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile

If you haven't claimed your GBP, you're invisible in local search. Go to google.com/business and claim your listing. Verify via postcard, phone, or email.

Pro tip: If you serve multiple cities, create separate GBPs for each physical location. Don't use PO boxes or virtual offices—Google will suspend your listing.

Step 2: Choose the Right Primary Category

Your primary category is critical. Use "Plumber" as your primary category, not "Plumbing supply store" or "Plumbing contractor." Google uses this to determine which searches to show your business for.

Secondary categories: Add "Emergency plumber," "Water heater repair service," "Drain cleaning service," "Sewer contractor" as secondary categories if you offer those services.

Step 3: Write a Keyword-Optimized Business Description

Your GBP description (750 characters max) should include your target keywords naturally. Don't keyword stuff, but mention your services and service area.

Example: "ABC Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency plumber services in [City]. We specialize in water heater repair, drain cleaning, sewer line replacement, and leak detection. Licensed, insured, and locally owned since 2005. Call now for same-day plumbing service."

Step 4: Add High-Quality Photos (Minimum 10)

Businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more clicks. Upload at least 10 high-quality photos:

• Logo (square, 720x720px minimum)
• Cover photo (landscape, 1024x576px minimum)
• Team photos (your plumbers in uniform)
• Truck/van photos (branded vehicles)
• Before/after job photos (water heater installs, pipe repairs)
• Interior office photos

Step 5: Get 50+ Five-Star Reviews

Reviews are the #2 ranking factor for local SEO (after GBP optimization). Businesses with 50+ reviews rank significantly higher than those with 10-20.

How to get more reviews:

• Ask every satisfied customer (in person, via text, or email)
• Create a short review link (google.com/review/[your-business])
• Add review requests to invoices and follow-up emails
• Respond to every review (good and bad) within 24 hours

Step 6: Post Weekly Google Business Updates

Google rewards active profiles. Post weekly updates about:

• Seasonal promotions ("$50 off water heater flush this month")
• Emergency service availability ("24/7 emergency plumber on call")
• Recent jobs ("Just replaced 3 water heaters in [Neighborhood]")
• Tips and advice ("5 signs your water heater is failing")

Step 7: Add Services and Products

List every service you offer in the Services section. This helps Google match your business to specific searches like "water heater repair" or "drain cleaning."

Include pricing if possible (even ranges like "$150-$300"). Businesses with pricing get 30% more clicks.

Step 8: Set Accurate Hours (Including Emergency Hours)

If you offer 24/7 emergency service, mark your hours as "Open 24 hours." If you're closed on weekends, mark it accurately—don't lie to Google.

Update hours for holidays at least 2 weeks in advance.

Step 9: Optimize Title Tags with Target Keywords

Your homepage title tag should include your primary keyword + city. Keep it under 60 characters.

Good: "Emergency Plumber [City] | 24/7 Plumbing Service | ABC Plumbing"
Bad: "Welcome to ABC Plumbing - Home"

Create unique title tags for every service page (water heater repair, drain cleaning, etc.).

Step 10: Write Compelling Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions don't directly affect rankings, but they affect click-through rate (which does). Write 150-160 character descriptions that include your keyword and a call-to-action.

Example: "Need an emergency plumber in [City]? ABC Plumbing offers 24/7 service, same-day repairs, and upfront pricing. Licensed & insured. Call now: (555) 123-4567"

Step 11: Use H1 Tags Correctly (One Per Page)

Every page should have exactly one H1 tag that includes your target keyword. Your homepage H1 might be:

"24/7 Emergency Plumber in [City] | Same-Day Service"

Step 12: Create Service Pages for Every Major Service

Don't cram all your services on one page. Create dedicated pages for:

• Water heater repair/installation
• Drain cleaning
• Sewer line repair/replacement
• Leak detection
• Emergency plumbing
• Repiping
• Fixture installation

Each page should have 800-1,500 words of unique content, including FAQs, pricing info, and before/after photos.

Step 13: Add Schema Markup (LocalBusiness + Service)

Schema markup helps Google understand your business. Add LocalBusiness schema to your homepage and Service schema to service pages.

Use Google's Structured Data Testing Tool to verify your schema is correct. This can help you appear in rich snippets and the Knowledge Panel.

Step 14: Make Your Phone Number Click-to-Call

60% of mobile users will call directly from search results. Make your phone number prominent (header, footer, every page) and use click-to-call links:

<a href="tel:+15551234567">(555) 123-4567</a>

Step 15: Optimize Images (Alt Text + File Names)

Name your image files descriptively before uploading: "water-heater-installation-phoenix.jpg" instead of "IMG_1234.jpg"

Add alt text to every image describing what's in the photo: "ABC Plumbing technician installing tankless water heater in Phoenix home"

Step 16: Add Internal Links Between Related Pages

Link from your homepage to service pages, from service pages to related services, and from blog posts to service pages. This helps Google understand your site structure and passes authority between pages.

Use descriptive anchor text: "water heater repair services" instead of "click here."

Step 17: Ensure NAP Consistency Across All Platforms

Your business name, address, and phone number must be identical everywhere online. Don't use "ABC Plumbing" on your website and "ABC Plumbing LLC" on Yelp.

Use the exact same format: "123 Main St" vs "123 Main Street" matters to Google.

Step 18: Claim Your Business on Top Citation Sites

Claim and optimize your listings on these top citation sites:

• Yelp
• Facebook Business
• Apple Maps
• Bing Places
• BBB (Better Business Bureau)
• Angi (formerly Angie's List)
• HomeAdvisor
• Thumbtack
• Yellow Pages
• Manta

Step 19: Get Listed in Plumbing-Specific Directories

Industry-specific citations carry more weight. Get listed on:

• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
• Local plumbing associations
• Chamber of Commerce
• Local business directories

Step 20: Fix Duplicate or Incorrect Listings

Search for your business name + city on Google. If you find duplicate listings or incorrect information, claim and merge/delete them immediately.

Use tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal to scan for citation inconsistencies across the web.

Step 21: Start a Blog (Publish 2-4 Posts Per Month)

Write about topics your customers search for:

• "How much does it cost to replace a water heater in [City]?"
• "5 signs you need to replace your sewer line"
• "Tankless vs tank water heaters: Which is better?"
• "How to prevent frozen pipes in winter"
• "What to do if your basement floods"

Aim for 1,000-2,000 words per post. Include photos, videos, and FAQs.

Step 22: Create Location-Specific Pages

If you serve multiple cities or neighborhoods, create dedicated pages for each:

• /plumber-scottsdale
• /plumber-tempe
• /plumber-mesa

Each page should have unique content (not copy-paste), mention local landmarks, and include customer testimonials from that area.

Step 23: Add FAQ Sections to Service Pages

Answer common questions customers ask:

• "How much does water heater installation cost?"
• "Do you offer same-day service?"
• "Are you licensed and insured?"
• "Do you offer financing?"
• "What brands do you install?"

Use FAQ schema markup to increase your chances of appearing in Google's "People Also Ask" boxes.

Step 24: Create Video Content

Video is the fastest-growing content type. Film short videos (1-3 minutes) showing:

• Before/after job walkthroughs
• "How to" tutorials (unclog a drain, shut off water main)
• Meet the team introductions
• Customer testimonials

Upload to YouTube, embed on your website, and share on social media. YouTube is the #2 search engine after Google.

Step 25: Get Links from Local Organizations

Join and get listed on:

• Chamber of Commerce
• Rotary Club
• Local business associations
• Plumbing trade associations

Most will link to your website from their member directory. These are high-authority, locally-relevant links.

Step 26: Sponsor Local Events or Teams

Sponsor a little league team, local charity event, or school fundraiser. Most will link to your website from their sponsors page.

Bonus: This builds brand awareness and goodwill in your community.

Step 27: Create Linkable Assets (Ultimate Guides)

Publish comprehensive guides that other websites will want to link to:

• "The Ultimate Guide to Water Heater Maintenance"
• "Plumbing Cost Guide: What to Expect in [City]"
• "Complete Sewer Line Replacement Guide"

Then reach out to local bloggers, real estate agents, and home improvement websites asking them to link to your guide as a resource.