Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about how the 805 Growth Engine works, what it costs, and what to expect. If your question isn't here, call us: (805) 307-7600.
About the 805 Growth Engine
What is the 805 Growth Engine?
It's our complete local growth system for 805 businesses — a custom-coded website, full local SEO implementation, and The Ranking App (our automated CRM) all built together and maintained for $250/month. It's the infrastructure that lets a local business compete like it has a 10-person marketing department.
What is The Ranking App?
The Ranking App is your own branded CRM and automation platform. It automatically follows up with every lead by text and email the moment they contact you, sends a text to any missed caller within 60 seconds, books appointments, manages your pipeline, and sends review requests after every job — all without you touching it.
How is this different from just hiring an SEO agency?
A typical SEO agency handles rankings — that's it. We build the full system: the website that ranks, the SEO that drives traffic, and the automation that converts that traffic into booked appointments. Most businesses lose 30–50% of their leads to slow follow-up. We close that gap at the same time we open the top of the funnel.
Do I own the website and the system?
You own the website outright. The Ranking App is a managed platform included in your $250/month — it's fully set up for your business, hosted, and maintained by us. If you ever leave, we help you transition.
About Local SEO
What is local SEO?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your online presence to appear higher in search results for location-specific searches — like 'plumber Santa Barbara' or 'dentist near me.' It includes optimizing your Google Business Profile, website, and building citations across directories.
How is local SEO different from regular SEO?
Regular SEO targets national or global audiences. Local SEO specifically targets customers in your geographic service area. Local SEO emphasizes Google Maps rankings (the 3-Pack), local citations (NAP consistency), and locally-relevant content — all factors that matter most for businesses serving a specific community.
Does my business need local SEO?
If customers in a specific area can hire you or visit you in person, you need local SEO. This includes nearly all service businesses (plumbers, HVAC, dentists, attorneys), retail stores, restaurants, and any business with a physical location or defined service area.
How long does local SEO take to work?
Most businesses see measurable improvements within 60-90 days. Significant ranking changes and lead increases typically happen at the 4-6 month mark. The timeline depends on your competition, current website quality, and how consistently we execute the strategy.
Google Business Profile
What is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool from Google that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. It's the listing that appears in the 3-Pack — the top 3 local results — and includes your hours, photos, reviews, and contact information.
How do I claim my Google Business Profile?
Go to business.google.com and search for your business. If it exists, click 'Claim this business.' If it doesn't exist, click 'Add your business.' Google will verify you're the owner via postcard, phone, or email. The whole process takes about 1-2 weeks.
Why isn't my business showing up on Google Maps?
The most common reasons are: (1) Your GBP hasn't been claimed or verified, (2) Your business information is inconsistent across directories (NAP mismatch), (3) You don't have enough reviews compared to competitors, (4) Your website doesn't reinforce your local relevance, or (5) You're in a wrong or too-broad category.
How important are Google reviews for ranking?
Very important. Reviews are one of the top 3 local ranking factors. Google considers review quantity, recency, and your average star rating. Businesses with 50+ reviews consistently outrank those with fewer. The content of reviews (customers mentioning your services and city) also helps with specific keyword rankings.
About Our Services
What's included in your local SEO service?
Our local SEO service includes: Google Business Profile optimization and management, citation building across 40+ directories, on-page SEO for your website pages, review generation campaigns, technical SEO improvements, monthly content creation, and detailed monthly reporting on rankings and leads.
Do you require long-term contracts?
No. There are no long-term contracts. The $250/month maintenance is month-to-month with 30 days notice to cancel. We believe results should keep you — not paperwork. Most clients stay well beyond 12 months because the system compounds over time, but the choice is always yours.
How do you measure success?
We track: keyword rankings (where you appear in Google for target searches), Google Business Profile views, calls, and direction requests, website traffic from organic search, and — most importantly — the number of leads and new customers attributable to your online presence.
Do you guarantee rankings?
We offer two guarantees. First, a 90-day delivery guarantee: your website, SEO, and Ranking App are all live and running within 90 days or your next month is free. Second, a leads guarantee: within 90 days of launch you'll see a measurable increase in calls and lead inquiries — we document your baseline on day one and prove it on day 90. If it hasn't moved, we keep working at no additional charge.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all of Santa Barbara County (Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Lompoc, Santa Maria) and all of Ventura County (Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Ojai, Santa Paula, Newbury Park).
Citations & Reviews
What are local citations?
Citations are any online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). These appear in directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, Bing, Apple Maps, and hundreds of other sites. Google uses citation quantity and consistency to verify your business is legitimate and well-established in its location.
How do I get more Google reviews?
The most effective approach: ask every satisfied customer directly, right after you complete the service. Keep it simple: 'Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It takes 30 seconds and really helps.' Send them your direct review link via text. Automate this with SMS follow-up sequences for even better results.
Can I respond to negative reviews?
Yes — and you should. Responding to negative reviews professionally actually builds trust. A business that engages with feedback looks more trustworthy than one with only positive reviews. Respond calmly, apologize for the experience, and invite them to contact you to resolve it privately.
Pricing & Getting Started
How much does local SEO cost?
The 805 Growth Engine — which includes your website, full SEO implementation, and The Ranking App — starts at $3,000–$5,000 as a one-time setup investment. After that, $250/month covers hosting, webmastering, ongoing SEO monitoring, CRM maintenance, and consulting access. Individual add-ons (SyncLocal, social content, Google Ads management, AI voice) are available separately.
What's the first step to get started?
Start with a free Growth Audit. We analyze your current rankings, website health, Google Business Profile, citation consistency, and competitors — then show you exactly what needs to be done and what results to expect. No cost, no obligation.
Is SEO better than Google Ads for my business?
Both have their place. Google Ads delivers immediate leads but stops when you stop paying. SEO builds long-term organic rankings that generate free leads indefinitely. Most businesses benefit from a combined strategy: ads for immediate results while SEO compounds in the background. Read our blog post comparing both for a detailed breakdown.