HVAC SEO: 13 Tips to Grow Your Small Business

I have a secret that can heat up your HVAC business: SEO. It stands for Search Engine Optimization. 

If you’ve never heard of SEO, it helps your website appear at the top of search engines when people search for services like “AC repair near me” or “heating installation.”

If you’ve ever wondered why some businesses are at the top of search results while others are buried on page five (where no one looks), it’s all because of SEO. The higher you rank, the more people will find your business and the more customers you’ll get. 

Let’s dive into how HVAC SEO works and what you can do to improve your rankings.

Google uses several factors to decide which websites appear first, such as:

• Relevance – Does your website match what people are searching for?
• Prominence – Is your business well-known online? Do other websites link to you?
• User Experience – Is your website easy to use and mobile-friendly?

You might wonder, “How does Google decide which websites are relevant and prominent?” 

It searches reviews, social media engagement, location, and your website’s content. It all comes down to E.E.A.T. (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness). Google favors businesses that have a strong reputation and helpful content. By optimizing your website and online presence, you make it easier for potential customers to find your business.

HVAC SEO Strategies

There are many ways to improve your rankings, but here are a few strategies HVAC companies use.

1. Local SEO

People looking for HVAC services need someone in their area, so local SEO is essential. Local SEO is the process of ensuring search engines know where you provide your services. 

First, list your location and service area on your website. Then, profiles can be set up with directory websites such as Google Business, Yelp, Angi, and Thumbtack. Your business information (name, address, and phone number) must be consistent across all online directories, social media profiles, and your website. Any inconsistencies can confuse search engines and potential customers, lowering your ranking in search results.

Tip: Use our enhanced local listings tool to update your profiles all at once. 

2. Keyword Optimization

Keywords are words people type into Google. For example, “furnace repair in [your city]” or “best HVAC company near me.” If your website includes these keywords (whether in a blog post or service page), Google is more likely to show your business in search results. 

Tip: To find keywords, you’ll need to conduct keyword research – you can use SEO tools to do this.

3. Content Marketing

Creating helpful content, like blog posts and service pages, answers customer questions and helps boost your search rankings. A blog post titled “How Often Should You Service Your AC?” will attract visitors to your site who might later book your services. It will also also establish your credibility to Google, showing that you’re expert on HVAC topics. That will make it easier to rank for future topics that you write about.

The best way to create good content is to think about the type of questions customers ask. You can also use marketing software to look up popular keywords, and create website content based on what your customers are searching for. 

4. Website Optimization

Your website should load fast, be mobile-friendly, and have clear calls to action (like “Call Now” buttons). A slow or confusing website can hurt your rankings and drive potential customers away. 

You can check to see how fast your website loads with PageSpeed Insights. If your website loads slowly, you can make it load fast by compressing images and using a fast hosting service. You can use Google’s mobile-friendly test to check if your website is mobile-friendly.

5. Customer Reviews

Local SEO also means encouraging customers to leave positive reviews. Reviews boost credibility by showing search engines your business is reliable and prominent. 

Good reviews will also help you appear in searches that inlcude the word “best,” like “best HVAC near me.” If you take a closer look, businesses that appear first for these searches have plenty of good reviews. 

Tip: Use this free Google Review Link Generator to ask customers for reviews. 

Now, let’s review some tips to help you implement the strategies above.

1. Optimize your Google Business Profile.

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is essential for SEO. Make sure all information — business name, address, phone number (NAP), business hours, and services — is accurate. Upload high-quality photos of your work, team, and office to make your profile look professional. Regularly update your profile with posts about promotions, seasonal services, and customer testimonials to keep it active.

I recommend using an online listings management tool to keep your Google Business Profile updated. Not only can you add new information, but it will monitor the performance of your page and provide reports to improve your profile. 

2. Encourage customer reviews.

Positive reviews build trust with potential customers and improve your search rankings. After a job, send a follow-up email or text to satisfied customers asking them to leave a review on Google. Respond to all reviews, thank customers for positive feedback, and professionally address negative reviews to show you care about customer service.

Here’s an easy way to get good reviews. If you have marketing automation software, use it to automatically follow-up with customers via email. This free Google Review Link Generator can direct people to your Google Business Profile and encourage them to leave a review if they’ve had a good experience with you. 

3. Use local keywords.

Find out what terms people search for when looking for HVAC services in your area. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify local keywords (e.g., “HVAC repair in [your city]”) and include them naturally in your website content. In other words, don’t just put keywords all over your web pages. Use them stragetically and provide value to your audience.

For example, most HVAC companies will create area pages to show people where they provide their services – which brings us to our next tip.  

4. Create location-specific service pages.

If you serve multiple areas, create a dedicated page for each location. For example, have a page for “Heating Repair in [City]” and another for “AC Installation in [Nearby City].” This helps you rank in multiple local searches and reach a broader audience. 

5. Speed up your website.

A slow website can cause visitors to leave before they book a service. It also signals to Google that your brand isn’t very popular. If people visit your website then immediately leave because the page does’t load, that negatively effects your search rankings. 

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website speed. To ensure your website loads quickly, use smaller image files, store temporary data to speed things up, and clean up any unnecessary code.

6. Make your website mobile-friendly.

Most people search for HVAC services on their phones. To ensure your website is mobile-friendly, use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes. Test your site on various devices and check that it loads correctly and is easy to navigate.

hvac seo website design

If you’re building a website from scratch, or want to give your current site a makeover, I recommend using a website builder with pre-built templates. Typically, these templates are mobile-friendly and you can drag-and-drop new elements on each page or reformat the entire layout. There’s no coding required and you can create a good-looking website in minutes. 

7. Write helpful blog posts.

Publishing blog posts on topics like “How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Furnace” or “Signs Your AC Needs Repairs” can help attract potential customers looking for HVAC advice. This builds trust  with your audience and establishes your business as an authority in the industry. It also signals to Google that you’re an expert on this topic, so you’ll rank higher in search results.

8. Get backlinks from local websites.

Backlinks are links from other websites to your own. Ask local directories, chambers of commerce, and industry-related blogs to link to your site. The more reputable sites that link to you, the better Google ranks your business.

9. List your business in online directories.

HVAC companies should be listed in online directories like Yelp, Angi, HomeAdvisor, and local business listings. These directories help potential customers find your business and can improve your local SEO rankings. 

Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all directories. Fill out as much profile information as possible. Add images of your business, services that you provide, and other information that will make it easier to discover your profile. 

10. Use social media to drive traffic.

Promote your business on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Not only will you drum up community engagement, but you can direct people to your website. That’s good for SEO because it means your site is popular and a lot people are visiting it. 

To engage potential customers, share maintenance tips, seasonal promotions, and before-and-after photos of your work. Use a social media management tool to schedule posts in advance and try the built-in AI tools to write captions and hashtags.

11. Track your SEO performance.

Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your website traffic and keyword rankings. Or, if you use a business platform like Thryv, track your SEO performance through your marketing tools. This helps you see what’s working and where you need to improve.

12. Hire an SEO service.

If all else fails, you can always hire an SEO service to give you a hand. These companies help you improve your website and rank for specific keywords. Some will even write blogs for your website and create monthly performance reports. 

13: Be patient.  

The last tip might be one of the most important ones. SEO is a long game. You’re not going to see results overnight. But, if you commit to a long-term strategy, slowly and surely, you’ll see your website start to climb to the top of Google’s search results.  

SEO Basics for HVAC

If you’re just getting started with SEO, here are a few key takeaways:

• SEO is a long-term strategy. It takes time to see results, but the payoff is worth it.
• Focus on local SEO. Since HVAC is a location-based service, appearing in local searches is critical.
• Your website matters. A fast, user-friendly, and well-organized website will improve your rankings.
• Content is king. Helpful content will drive traffic to your site and establish your expertise.
• Keep learning. SEO changes over time, so staying up to date with best practices and trends will keep you ahead of competitors.

Get Started with SEO

SEO might sound complicated, but it’s really just about making it easier for customers to find you online. By following these tips, you can improve your rankings, attract more customers, and grow your HVAC business without spending a fortune on ads.