October 16, 2025
When someone in New Zealand Googles a service near them, like “plumber Wellington” or “café Christchurch”, they’re actively looking for exactly what you offer. These searches aren’t casual browsing; they’re intent-driven, meaning these potential customers are ready to take action.
They’re hot leads, and if your business isn’t showing up where they’re searching, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities.
Even small Kiwi businesses can take advantage of this by making sure they’re visible at the right time, in the right place. Here’s you can make local SEO work for your business.
Claim and optimise your Google Business profile
Your Google Business profile is one of the most powerful ways to capture intent-driven customers. When people search for services like yours, your listing can appear right on the map, often even before your website.
Why it matters for hot leads:
- People seeing your profile are actively searching for your service, so they’re far more likely to contact you.
- A complete, accurate profile builds trust and encourages action.
Tips for optimising:
- Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are correct.
- Add high-quality photos of your team, products, or store.
- Keep your business hours up to date.
- Encourage happy customers to leave reviews and respond to them.
Businesses that regularly update their profile are far more likely to appear in local search results.
