Best DIY Local Digital Marketing Resources
These are all the resources I used to turn my hobby into a business and still use daily to build lead-generating machines for others. Some of the links are referral links. They let the companies know I sent you over and some of them get you a discount.
Let’s get started.
Reporting
Local Audit
You can’t honestly work on something until you know what you’re dealing with. My fast, fully automated audit will reveal the issues that are holding you back, and find your best opportunities to improve search visibility. It’s the only SEO audit 100% focused on what really moves the needle for local businesses. No more time or money wasted on non-essential data.
Local falcon
This reporting tool changed the game by giving you a birds-eye view of your service area. It’s a perfect visual of how SEO works and where you can improve.
Web Design
Whether you plan to sell or pass on your business when you retire. A website will prove your businesses worth and make the transition smooth. It will be the foundation of your marketing, sales and customer records. Here are the basics needed to start building an asset that will continue to grow in value the longer you’re in business.
Namecheap
Every website starts with a domain name. Try to get as close as you can to your true business name. Tacking on your city at the end helps greatly, but Google frequently changes it’s mind on if that’s ok to do.
Business Gmail
You get what you pay for with free email services. Sometimes you get stuck sharing a server with spammy websites. It’s not worth the risk when the best professional email is only $6.
Kinsta
I always recommend Kinsta as the standard for Managed WordPress hosting. It hits the sweet spot between cost, performance and customer service. Kinsta will make sure your site is always up and competitive. I keep away from the cheapest hosting services to avoid sharing servers with spam sites.
Cloudways
But, if you need to keep costs down. Cloudways is the best of the cheap hosting services. Their menu is clunky to start, but they also offer add-ons that can bring their service to Kinsta’s level when you need it.
GeneratePress Theme
This premium WordPress theme is the Leatherman of webdesign. You won’t have to scrounge for plugins that work well together. Start off with one of their templates and mold it to exactly what you need. It takes a little more craftsmanship to use, but I won’t build with anything else.
Astra Theme
If you have to go free. Get Astra. I started out with this fast, no-nonsense theme. Grab the free versions of the plugins on their sales page and you’ll have a decent starter site.
Rank Math Plugin
This is the SEO and Schema plugin of choice for DIY builders. It’ll be hard to reach page one of Google without Schema. Use it as much as you can without being spammy.
Widget for Google Reviews Plugin
Pop-ups are annoying, but powerful. Use that power for good by showing off your Google reviews on your website.
Wordfence Security Plugin
A lot of plugins have great reviews because of affiliate sales. Wordfence doesnt play the affiliate program game, so you can trust the quality of their firewall and reviews.
Hemingway app
Writing how you naturally talk will sell more than trying to sound corporate. Hemingway will polish up your writing, without changing your voice.
-Surfer SEO or Market Mus
This app will help make sure your website content has near perfect On-page SEO by getting the keywords just right. It can also show you why your competitors are ranking higher then you.
Compressor.io
The most common mistake I see on DIY websites is uncompressed images that slow things down. Customers will hit Back before those giant pictures load. Give your website a speed boost by compressing your images.
Modern Business
Paper forms and carbon copy invoices are forcing you to leave money on the table. Save time on things that can be automated. Well also building better relationships with your customers and taking the stress out of tax time.
Housecall pro
Now the true battle begins. We all have our favorites when it comes to Field Service Software. Housecall Pro gives the best features for the best price. It also earns huge points in my book by focusing on earning you more reviews.
Google Workspace
(Formally G Suite) More than ever we need to make sure our office staff can work from anywhere. To add onto the value of a business Gmail. They stacked on video chat, online storage that’s perfect for your SOPs and even feeds into your Google My Business.
QuickBooks
Don’t let the financial side of business get in the way of doing what you love. I still see so many tradesman using paper invoices, manual checking the books and chasing payments. You’ll save time and make more money with Quickbooks linked into Housecall Pro.
Marketing & Social
You should be taking before and after shots of your work to C.Y.A., but those pictures are also great for marketing. Square 1:1 aspect ratio videos with a company catch phrase are even better. And, they can all be done on your phone. Local business commercials are on YouTube and social now. Become the next Jim Vreeland Ford or Clark pest control.
Canva
You can make all sorts of marketing materials with Canva. Door hangers, info graphics, postcards, social posts and even brochures.
Life Lapse app
They seem simple, but the stop motion videos you can make to show off your projects are gold.
Quik video app
If you’ve used a GoPro you’re probably familiar with Quik. It takes all your videos and automatically makes a highlight reel. Then you give the video a once over edit, post and you’re done. It’s that Quik…
KineMaster video app
This journeyman level video editor has all the features needed to make professional videos. The interface is self-explanatory and you’ll have it down by your second video.
Rev.com
Most people watch videos with the sound off. Get fast and accurate transcriptions for your videos here.
Your Phone
Any modern phone takes amazing pictures and good video. Shot, quickly edit and post.
Movo PM10 Lavaliere Mic
Make sure customers can hear you over the work going on. This cheap tiny mic will make your videos sound crisp and clear. If you want a more professional setup. The gear I use for all my videos is below.
Movo Dual-Sided Capsule Shotgun Microphone
This mic gives great audio quality and options. You can set it to catch audio in front, behind or both ends of the camera.
Flexible phone tripod with cold shoe
You can set up a shot anywhere with these little tripods. Twist it around a tree, fence or truck. Whatever needs to be done to get the shot. It can probably be done.
Dual cold shoe mount adapter
Simple mount to have both mic and light above the camera.
Portable LED light with softbox
A decent light paired with a mic and your phone will shoot video as good as the news.
Books
We might not have time to read, but we always have music going well we work. May as well listen to something that’s going to make you more money. These quick, no fluff reads helped me turn my hobby into a business.
The Coaching Habit
This book teaches a practical leadership style. Training employees to competently handle problems, so that you don’t become a bottleneck in your company.
Halbert Copywriting Method Part III
Updated marketing classics. Products always change, but people rarely do. These frameworks will boost your sales and bring in more leads.
The 1-Page Marketing Plan
Stop throwing mud at the wall with your marketing. This quick read will give you a foundation that will bring in a steady flow of customers.
Kindle unlimited
Grab digital copies of books, so you can read straight from your phone whenever you get some time.
Audible
Don’t have time to sit down and read? Listen to these books well you work or drive to the next job. Give you’re music playlist a break every now and then.