There are customers who need your help right now, but your septic business isn’t visible. Why? Because you’re still relying on word of mouth, flyers and yard signs. That’s not to say those don’t work. But these days, people are making nearly all of their buying decisions online.

When someone Googles “septic pumping near me” or “emergency septic repair in (location),” you want to show up first. Because whoever they click on is probably getting the job. Local SEO is how you make that happen. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming.

Below are 9 practical (and proven) SEO moves you can make to rise up in search results, look legit to customers and get your phone ringing without needing to be a tech expert.

Let’s get started!

1. Lock Down Your Google Business Profile (And Optimize It)

If your Google listing is incomplete, inaccurate or nonexistent, you’re losing leads before they even see your website. The best septic businesses are constantly optimizing their Google Business Profile and standing out to prospects.

Make sure your profile has:

• Your real business name (no keyword stuffing)

• A correct, updated address and service areas

• Categories like “Septic Tank Pumping Service”

• Office hours, emergency hours and specific detials

• Photos of your trucks, team, office and equipment

• A mininum of 10 reviews with responses on each of them

Septic SEO Tip #1: Your Google Business Profile is your new front yard. Keep it updated, clean and customer-ready.

2. Build City and County-Specific Service Pages on Your Website

Most septic contractors list a bunch of cities in their footer and call it local SEO. That’s not enough. If you want to rank in nearby towns, you need actual pages for them. Create a separate page for each major area you serve. Use real language:

“Septic Tank Pumping in Maryville, TN”

“Emergency Septic Repair in West Knoxville”

“Septic Inspection Services for Loudon County Homeowners”

Add a few local photos and a short paragraph about common septic issues in that region. Customizing location-specific content will lead to a higher ranking.

Septic SEO Tip #2: Give Google (and your customers) a reason to believe you serve their exact area, not just the next city over.

3. Answer Common Customer Questions on Your Site

What’s the number one reason people Google septic services? They’re trying to figure out what’s going on before they call. Use that. Write quick, simple content around things like:

“Why is my septic tank backing up?”

“How often should I pump my tank in Tennessee?”

“What’s the difference between a septic cleanout and a full inspection?”

You’re not just ranking for “septic service near me”, you’re capturing all the searches that happen before someone’s ready to call. Most importantly, you’re delivering real value that positions your septic business as a trusted expert.

Septic SEO Tip #3: Create content that answers real questions people are typing into Google when their yard is flooded.

4. Embed Reviews Right on Your Website

Don’t make people dig through Yelp or Google to see what others think of you. Pull in your best reviews and put them right on your homepage or service pages. Better yet, use local names or city references in the captions (with permission):

“Jason was on-site in Lenoir City within the hour. Saved our house from a nasty backup.”

This not only builds trust but reinforces local SEO relevance.

Septic SEO Tip #4: Make your happy customers part of your marketing. Show real feedback in the places people are already looking.

5. Use Before and After Photos With Local Tags

If you’re proud of your work, show it off. Snap before-and-after photos of your pump jobs, field repairs, installations or anything that visually tells a story. But don’t just upload them blindly. Use file names like:

septic-repair-loudon-county-tn.jpg

septic-installation-knoxville-backyard.jpg

Alt text matters too. It helps Google understand what the image is about, and it helps your site show up in image search.

Septic SEO Tip #5: Treat Your Photos Like Content Every image is another way to rank locally. Use tagging wisely.

6. Get More Reviews (But Ask the Right Way)

Most customers are happy to leave a review, they just forget. Make it easier. Text them a link right after the job. Use a line like:

“We’re a small, local business and your feedback helps us grow. If we did a solid job, would you mind taking 60 seconds to leave us a quick review?

One extra review per week adds up to 50+ new ones a year.

Septic SEO Tip #6: Don’t wait for reviews to happen. Ask every time and make it as easy as tapping a link. Talk like a real person when requesting them.

7. List on Local Directories (But Only the Right Ones)

You don’t need to be on 100 sites, just the ones that count. Make sure your business is listed consistently (same name, address, phone) on the biggest directories, including:

Yelp Angi Google Bing Places Facebook HomeAdvisor Local chamber of commerce Local city service directories

These listings help validate your business online and build trust with search engines.

Septic SEO Tip #7: Think quality over quantity. Focus on directories that show up when you search for your own services.

8. Add Click-to-Call and Click-to-Text Buttons

Many people find your site from their phones. Don’t make them copy and paste your number. Use big, tap-friendly buttons that say:

“Call Now for Fast Septic Help”

“Text Us a Photo of Your Issue”

It’s simple UX, but it drastically increases how many people actually contact you and helps Google see you as a business ready to serve.

Septic SEO Tip #8: Make it super simple for someone to contact you from their phone. That’s where most leads are coming from these days.

9. Monitor What People Are Searching

Use tools like Google Search Console or even your website’s internal search feature to see what keywords are bringing people in or what questions they’re typing on your site.

Notice if people are searching for:

“Septic inspection for home sale”? “Best grease trap service near me”? “Permit help for new septic systems”?

Use that data to update your site, create new content and build pages that speak directly to what they’re already looking for.

Septic SEO Tip #9: Let your customers show you what to optimize next. Their search behavior is your blueprint to long-term results.

Local SEO Is the Key to Consistent Lead Generation. Period.

You don’t need to blog every day or hire a massive agency to rank well in your area. You just need to make it easier for Google and real people to understand who you are, where you work and how you help.

At Slamdot, we help service-based businesses like septic companies show up higher, convert better and spend less time worrying about where the next job is coming from. Whether you need a new site or help ranking higher, we’re here to simplify your digital marketing efforts.

Ready to rise in search results? Contact us today!

See More Helpful Tips