214 SEO (that's us) has been one of the top local SEO firms in DFW since 2009. When we started, most people didn't even have smart phones and Google was a very different place. We pride ourselves on staying on top of trends in the SEO space and over the years we've seen Google crack down on spammy backlinks with their Penguin update, to this day the biggest update we've ever personally seen in the SEO world. Below is a list of best practices for your website from our team. We asked everyone (five of us) to submit a tip and these were the results. We hope you find this information beneficial if you are looking to boost your online presence via Google Maps and other local search outlets.

Content is still king. AI content generators can be useful for writing articles but at the end of the day something written by a human is going to get priority with search results, all else being equal. Humans simply write with more soul than a bot and likely always will. AI content generation isn't a bad idea but writing content for the end user instead of hitting "generate article" will always work better.

Quality backlinks are very, very important. Getting backlinks to your website can be difficult, especially good ones. If you run a local business you may have notice many of your competitors don't even have backlinks or if they do, they are very low quality. Backlinks will always be the most important aspect of SEO and boosting your local presence. We recommend asking any fellow local business owner you know to link to your site. Reciprocal linking can make a big difference.

Get social. Having some sort of activity on sites like Twitter and Facebook, depending on the industry of course, can make a world of difference. Most local businesses still haven't caught up. Yes, it's easy to set up a social media account. But staying consistent with posts and interacting with customers is the real key.

Fill out your Google Maps / Business listing. Thoroughly. Don't leave anything blank, add as many pictures and relevant videos as possible. Beg everyone you interact with to leave you a customer review. This is like social but even more important.

Your website needs videos. The most types of content you can add to your website, the better. Text is still king but pictures and videos also help. A healthy mix of on-page and off page SEO should be the goal.

Finally - your homepage title tag matters. We recommend the following format: (name of your business)  + Industry + City. So ABC Roofing Company Dallas, TX. You get the idea.

We know sprinklers and irrigation systems, inside & out.

Our Sprinkler Repair Company

Believe it or not, 5 Star service isn’t our goal, it is our foundation and a way of life. We take pride in being the local company that builds trust with our clients every step of the way. We provide essential plumbing services, the best repair and treatment technology, and quality irrigation repair solutions at a fair price. We've been serving the 78746 zip code for decades and know the area very well.

Sprinklers, water treatment, and irrigation needs come in all sizes. That's why we offer a full range of solutions for your home throughout the Houston and Austin metro areas. Our professional and courteous technicians and office staff have the skills and experience necessary to provide you the highest quality service possible.

Irrigation Services 78746

• Sprinkler System Installation
• Drip System Installation
• Sprinkler System Repair
• Drip System Diagnostics
• Irrigation System Maintenance
• Irrigation Timer/ Controller Service and Installation
• Irrigation System Wiring Repairs
• Backflow Prevention – Vacuum Breakers
• Leak Detection and Repair

The fine car mechanics at Nash's Automotive in Allen Texas were referred to us by another client recently and the timing could not have been better. Spring is the busy season for Nash's Automotive and they want better search visibility in their long time headquarters city of Allen In addition to doing top quality tune ups and A.C. repair, Nash's also sells the occasional super cool 1970s muscle car. That's right, they do full restorations, including 1970s Rolls Royce limos. It's truly wild. No matter what kind of TLC your car needs, you can count on Nash's to do amazing work.

Visit them:

​200 West Main St. 
Allen, Texas 75013​

We were recently contacted by a group of pool builders in Houston who are looking to target high-end homes / backyards and new construction. Here's a bit about them straight from the owner himself:

Swimming pool designs in a full array of styles for Houston residents
Platinum Pools offices in Houston specialize in building high-end pools & spas for clients. In addition, we are proud to offer major pool renovations & upgrades for homeowners.

Starting with simple projects and moving up to complex masterpieces, you can choose any pool shape, size, deep end, and layout. All kinds of styles—rustic/organic, tropical, traditional/classical, sleek/contemporary—are on the table. You also have a full spectrum of decorative and functional features including water gardens.

Regardless of the kind of pool features you want installed—including ones you may have never seen or heard of—Platinum designers can tailor a new pool with an array of attractive elements to create an amazing, easy-to-maintain pool & spa. And of course, your pool designer will always work on a plan that keeps your final costs in mind. We are currently offering specials in the 77005 zip code!

Local pool design and construction knowledge is key
When we meet, we will develop a detailed pool plan made for your backyard, family demands, aesthetic preferences, and project ideas. He or she will also provide you with a complete, thorough contract that explains in detail the pool project phases and outlines your payment schedules.

Peace of mind comes from our professionalism. You will receive dedicated help and support from an experienced local team with expertise in local conditions and proven pool-construction concepts.

We are required to carry full insurance with coverage for car, general liability, workers compensation, as well as property. In states where it is required by law, each operation is properly licensed and bonded. Offices also provide all new-pool clients with pool and equipment warranty terms in writing.

We were recently contacted by our friend Mike at Plano Chimney Sweep. Mike's background is in sheet metal but he makes a lot of the chimney caps you see on homes in DFW and then sells them to chimney sweeps across North Texas. Anyway, Mike got the itch to try his hand at running a chimney service and we were happy to assist him.

This isn't our first foray into this industry. Years ago we worked with a different, highly successful chimney sweep and wildlife removal company / website that was recently bought up by Mike. Small world. Anyway, Mike has a great business plan and seems highly motivated to take over the Dallas Fort Worth market. If his sheet metal business is any indication, he's on the right track.

To stay busy in the summers, Plano Chimney Sweep also offers wild animal removal from attics, chimney and walls. This includes the usual critters such as squirrels, raccoons, bats, rats and mice. We'll leave the wild animal wrangling to Mike and worry about keeping his websites looking nice!

For more info, check them out at the above links. They have two locations to serve you and are available 24/7 in most cases. This may change during the winter when things get pretty busy. Be sure to book ahead to secure your cleaning.

We typically work with clients and small businesses in the DFW but we are always willing to making an exception for a referral out of state! In this case, the out-of-state company is Koory Motor Sales up in Omaha Nebraska. A full service car repair bay that handles foreign and domestic car troubles with ease, Koory Motors has achieved a sterling reputation over the past several decades. That's right - decades!

​Koory Motors is a third-generation business that is currently run by Don, the grandson of the original founder and owner. With a lineage of great products and services in place, and a team of professional mechanics, it's not hard to see why Koory Motor Sales has been going strong since before anyone reading this was even born!

We recently handled a web design for Don and look forward to working with them for years to come.

​Visit them: ​Koory Motors | 5052 Leavenworth St. | Omaha, NE 68106 | Call 402-551-5414

Talk about perfect timing. Our latest client, as July rears its ugly head, is our friend Ken at Repair Masters Heat and Air, LLC out of the Fort Worth area. Ken already runs a sprinkler repair company and has now expanded into the heating and cool repair business year-round. The same coverage area (Tarrant County) still applies.

Repair Masters Heat and Air, LLC offers emergency and same-day system repair services 24 hours a day in most cases. Obviously this can change during peak months when calls are through the roof, but odds are good that the offer will be honored. 

While summer is clearly the busiest month (in this highly competitive industry), heating problems can also plague homes in North DFW during winter months. No matter what your needs are, give Repair Masters Heat and Air a call today to talk directly with the owner. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.

The team over at DFW Marble Suppliers has made a living making your kitchen and bathroom look better. How? Amazing imported marble countertops and flooring. They also handle custom cabinetry and furniture design.

But their bread and butter is their namesake. If you need a company that specializes in stone of any kind, look no further. They've been in the area for over a decade and have handled top redesigns in areas like Lakewood and the Turtle Creek area.

Even if it's just a minor repair, don't settle for anything less than the best. We vetted their owner and were extremely impressed with his commitment to his craft. Give them a look - you won't be disappointed. We look forward to assisting them for years to come.

The family-run Cates Quick Moving LLC out of Dallas is our newest client. And while every moving company in the Dallas area claims to be "the best", the team at Cates actually might lay claim to the title.

Why?

Cates specializes in house stagings for real estate agencies like David Perry Miller. Which means they handle some very expensive furniture. Antiques, grand pianos, all that good stuff. 

They aren't the cheapest moving company in the DFW metroplex. But as with any service, you usually get what you pay for. And residents of high-end neighborhoods like Highland Park and Preston Hollow trust Cates Quick Moving LLC with their possessions. 

Their team is available 24/7 and they specialize in antiques, art hanging and more.

So if you want a locally-owned mover that treats your move with the utmost importance and care, look no further than Cates Quick.

A current client referred us to RV Explosion Attorney Michael M. Guerra of the McAllen, TX area. Mr. Guerra already has a successful personal injury practice, as well as an overtime law expert, in South Texas and is now looking to expand his practice nationwide to serve those injured by propane explosions in their campers.

While this is a niche law practice, it still isn't a small venture. Unbeknownst to us, thousands of people are seriously injured (or worse) in RV accidents that result from faulty propane tanks. It's a topic that Mr. Guerra is passionate about (having written about the issue at length) and he looks to become the premiere online source for such injury cases.

We look forward to working with Mr. Guerra on the new branch of his law firm and helping him to spread awareness about this serious issue.

Update Feb. 2016: Michael Guerra has a new branch focused on overtime law in the San Antonio area. The newly formed Guerra, Burke and Khirallah can be found at:

Address: Mary's, 3707 N St Mary's St #200, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: (210) 529-2878