Simple and Smart SEO: A podcast for Shopify sellers who want to expand beyond Etsy! Unlocking Local SEO: Expert Strategies with Darren Shaw of Whitespark (Part 1)
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:
- 🔍 Audit Your Google Business Profile – Fill in every field, especially your services!
- 🧩 Create Separate Service Pages – Give each service its own optimized landing page.
- 🕰️ Adjust Business Hours – Consider extending hours to stay visible longer.
- 📇 Check Your Citations – But skip the pricey ongoing directory services 💸.
- 🤝 Ask Around – Real-world keyword research starts with real people!
Conn
Text me your questions or comments!
Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)
Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?
If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.
I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.
No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at
Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)
Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?
If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.
I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.
No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at
Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
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!