In this value-packed episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host 💁‍♀️ Crystal Waddell sits down with local SEO legend Darren Shaw of 🏢 Whitespark. 

Discover why your website is the #1 data source for your Google Business Profile, how to optimize for the local 3-pack 📍, and what SEO myths to stop believing 🚫. 

Whether you’re a home-based biz, a service provider, or an online shop, these actionable insights will help your brand show up and stand out in local search! 🔍

💡 Key Takeaways:

• 🌐 Your Website = Your GMB Database: Google pulls profile data straight from your site!
• 🧾 Citations Still Matter… but not as much as they used to 📉.
• ⭐ Reviews + Proximity = Ranking Gold in local search 📍🔝.
• 🛠️ Service Pages Are a Must: One page per service = better SEO results 💪.
• 🕒 Business Hours Impact Visibility — especially between 4–7 PM! 🕓📉🕖
• 🔑 Keyword Research Made Simple: Just ask a few people what they’d search 🤔📲.
• ⚖️ Citation Consistency ≠ Life or Death: Google’s smarter than that now 🤖😉.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

🗣️ "Your website is the database for your Google Business Profile."
 🚖 "You don’t need fancy tools—just ask five taxi drivers what they’d search."
 🟢 "Google likes to rank businesses that are currently open."

- Darren Shaw

✅ Listener Action Items:

1. 🔍 Audit Your Google Business Profile – Fill in every field, especially your services!
2. 🧩 Create Separate Service Pages – Give each service its own optimized landing page.
3. 🕰️ Adjust Business Hours – Consider extending hours to stay visible longer.
4. 📇 Check Your Citations – But skip the pricey ongoing directory services 💸.
5. 🤝 Ask Around – Real-world keyword research starts with real people!

Connect With Darren:

Whitespark.ca

Linkedin

Connect With Crystal:

SimpleandSmartSEO.com

Linkedin

Send me a text!

Support the show

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

Join the SEO Squad

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!