What BC Business Owners Ask Us About SEO and Working With Us
Van Isle SEO – Service-Related FAQs
What exactly does Van Isle SEO do?
We help local businesses rank higher on Google through search engine optimization—think better visibility, more calls, and more leads.
Are you a solo consultant or part of a bigger agency?
Right now, Van Isle SEO is a one-person show (hi, I’m Felix!)—but you still get agency-level quality and results.Do you only work with businesses in Nanaimo?
Not at all – I work with clients across BC and even beyond, as long as they’re looking for high-impact local SEO.Do you offer SEO for e-commerce sites too?
My main focus is on service-based businesses, but I can absolutely help optimize online shops as well.Is SEO something you do once or do I need monthly help?
SEO works best over time. I offer ongoing monthly plans, but I also offer one-time optimization services if you're just starting out.Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! I always offer a free initial call and SEO audit so you know exactly where you stand before investing.Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
No. My packages are month-to-month, and I only ask for 30 days' notice if you'd like to pause or stop.How soon can I expect results from your SEO work?
Usually within 3–6 months, but sometimes faster depending on your competition and website condition.Do you provide reports so I can see progress?
Absolutely. I send clear, easy-to-understand reports every month—no confusing jargon.How much does it cost to work with you?
My plans start at $450/month. I also offer more advanced packages with content, GBP management, and backlink building.Do you also build websites?
I don’t build sites from scratch, but I work within platforms like Squarespace and WordPress to optimize them for SEO.Can I talk to some of your past clients?
Yes—happy to provide references or case studies if you'd like to hear how things went for other businesses.What’s different about Van Isle SEO compared to big agencies?
I’m local, transparent, and hands-on. No inflated retainers, no fluff—just honest SEO with real results.Can you help me understand my Google Analytics?
Definitely. Part of my job is helping you make sense of your site’s data.Do you work weekends or evenings?
I try to keep a healthy work-life balance, but I’m flexible for client calls outside of 9–5 if needed.
SEO & Local SEO – General Questions
What is local SEO anyway?
Local SEO helps your business show up when people search for services “near me” or in your city—especially in the Google Map Pack.
How is local SEO different from regular SEO?
Local SEO focuses on ranking in your area. It's all about Google Maps, local directories, and your immediate audience.Why is my business not showing up on Google?
There could be a number of reasons—like missing Google Business Profile info, weak content, or poor local citations.What’s a Google Business Profile and why does it matter?
It's your business listing on Google Maps. It’s one of the top ranking factors for local SEO.How do reviews affect my ranking?
A lot. Google favors businesses with frequent, positive reviews. They’re a trust signal—for both search engines and customers.Can I do SEO myself?
Yes, to a degree. I even offer DIY courses for business owners who want to learn. But hiring an expert often speeds things up and avoids common mistakes.How long does SEO take to work?
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Results typically show within 3–6 months, but real growth compounds over time.Is SEO better than running Google Ads?
It depends on your goals. SEO builds long-term visibility, while ads can bring quick (but temporary) traffic. Best case? Do both.What are citations and why do they matter?
Citations are listings of your business info (name, address, phone) across the web. They help boost your credibility and local rankings.Does social media help my SEO?
Indirectly, yes. Active social profiles drive traffic and trust—both of which can help rankings.How often should I update my website?
Ideally, monthly. Adding new content like blog posts or service pages keeps Google coming back.Do I need to blog to rank on Google?
Blogging helps, but it’s not mandatory. What matters most is helpful content that matches what your audience is searching for.Why are keywords important?
They tell Google what your page is about. Using the right keywords helps your site show up for the right searches.What’s “on-page SEO”?
That’s all the stuff you can do on your site to help it rank—like optimizing headings, titles, images, and internal links.What’s the Map Pack and how do I get there?
It’s the 3-business box that shows on Google Maps results. You get there with great GBP optimization, reviews, and local relevance.Does having a fast website help with SEO?
Yes. Google ranks faster websites higher—plus, users are more likely to stay on a site that loads quickly.Do backlinks still matter?
Yes, especially high-quality, local or niche-relevant ones. But spammy links? No thanks.What’s a ranking factor?
It’s one of the many signals Google uses to decide where to place your site in search results.Can I lose my rankings once I have them?
Unfortunately, yes. SEO is ongoing—competitors, algorithm updates, or site changes can affect your position.What’s domain authority?
It’s a score that estimates how trustworthy your website is. Higher authority usually means better rankings.
Questions from BC Business Owners Like Yours
I’m just starting my business – should I even worry about SEO yet?
Yes! The earlier you start, the easier it is to build strong visibility from the ground up.
Do I need a Google Business Profile even if I work from home?
Yes! You can hide your address and still get found locally. It’s essential for local SEO.I already have a website—can you work with what I have?
Absolutely. I optimize existing sites all the time.How do I get more reviews on Google?
I can help you build a system to request and respond to reviews in a way that boosts trust and rankings.Is it bad to use a website builder like Wix or Squarespace?
No—those platforms can work just fine with the right SEO setup.Do I need to be on directories like Yelp or YellowPages?
Yes. They’re valuable citations and help with local trust.How can I track how many people find me through SEO?
I’ll set you up with reporting tools that track leads, calls, traffic, and rankings.I’ve paid for SEO before and it didn’t work—why should this time be different?
I get it. A lot of SEO promises go unfulfilled. I focus on transparency, clear results, and showing ROI month after month.Can SEO help me get more calls and appointment bookings?
Yes. That’s the goal—more visibility, more traffic, more actions taken.What if I don’t know anything about SEO?
That’s okay! I explain everything in plain language. No confusing tech speak—just what you need to know.How many keywords can I rank for?
As many as make sense for your business. I’ll help identify the best ones to target for results.What’s the difference between local SEO and national SEO?
Local SEO targets your city or region. National SEO tries to rank across the whole country—very different strategies.Will I lose rankings if I stop doing SEO?
Over time, yes. SEO is like exercise—stopping for too long usually means losing progress.Do you offer any discounts or startup pricing?
Occasionally, yes—especially for new local businesses. Reach out and ask!How do I get started with Van Isle SEO?
Just send me a quick message or book a free call! We’ll take it from there.
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