The Simple and Smart SEO Show

Unlocking Local SEO: Expert Strategies with Darren Shaw of Whitespark (Part 1)


Listen Later

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!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

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!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Simple and Smart SEO ShowBy Crystal Waddell

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

46 ratings


More shows like The Simple and Smart SEO Show

View all
The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast by Pat Flynn

The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

3,449 Listeners

Niche Pursuits Podcast: Find Your Next "Niche" Business Idea! by Spencer Haws: NichePursuits.com

Niche Pursuits Podcast: Find Your Next "Niche" Business Idea!

191 Listeners

Social Media Marketing Podcast by Michael Stelzner, Social Media Examiner

Social Media Marketing Podcast

1,447 Listeners

The Amy Porterfield Show by Amy Porterfield

The Amy Porterfield Show

4,569 Listeners

The Side Hustle Show by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation | YAP Media

The Side Hustle Show

1,580 Listeners

Simple Pin Podcast: Simple ways to boost your business using Pinterest by Kate Ahl

Simple Pin Podcast: Simple ways to boost your business using Pinterest

452 Listeners

Side Hustle Pro by Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media

Side Hustle Pro

1,757 Listeners

The Product Boss: Business Coaching for Product-Based Female Entrepreneurs by Jacqueline Snyder

The Product Boss: Business Coaching for Product-Based Female Entrepreneurs

877 Listeners

How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy by Lizzie Smiley

How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy

294 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,416 Listeners

Beginners SEO Podcast by Phoebe, The Plan Success

Beginners SEO Podcast

9 Listeners

Etsy Seller Success: Tips for Starting, Growing and Scaling Your Etsy and E-Commerce Shop by Dylan Jahraus | Etsy Business Coach and E-commerce Expert

Etsy Seller Success: Tips for Starting, Growing and Scaling Your Etsy and E-Commerce Shop

130 Listeners

Simple Marketing & SEO | Online Marketing Tips for Website Traffic, Leads, and Sales by Rachel Lindteigen | SEO and Marketing Expert: Business Growth Coach

Simple Marketing & SEO | Online Marketing Tips for Website Traffic, Leads, and Sales

17 Listeners

SEO for Established Entrepreneurs: The Basic B by Brittany Herzberg

SEO for Established Entrepreneurs: The Basic B

20 Listeners

AI Explored by Michael Stelzner, Social Media Examiner—AI marketing

AI Explored

78 Listeners