Ep. 38 - My (Boring) SEO Spa Method (Part 3)
This is Part 3 of my unintentional Google series (seriously, I didn't plan this, but here we are).
In Part 1, I shared my method for ranking high on Google. In Part 2, we talked about getting Google reviews that actually book your team. Now I want to talk about what's ACTUALLY working right now—end of 2025, heading into 2026—and what will most likely keep working.
But first, let me say this loud and clear: I am not an SEO expert.
There are people way more qualified than me who know all the technical stuff—the algorithms, the backlinks, the schema markup, all of it. But you know what? I've applied these simple things to my spa, and they work. That's what matters.
So this isn't coming from some SEO guru who's never run a spa. This is coming from one spa owner to another, sharing what actually moves the needle without making your brain explode.
The Truth You Need to Hear First
SEO can feel intimidating. I get it. It sounds technical and complicated and like one more thing you have to add to your already overwhelming to-do list.
But here's what I need you to understand: You don't need to be tech-savvy to do this. You're not doing anything wrong. You're not behind. And it's so much easier than people make it out to be.
Everything I'm about to share is 100% free, takes minimal time (especially with a VA), doesn't require any technical skills, and actually works for local service-based businesses.
Why You Should Care About SEO
I own my website. I own my email list. I do NOT own my social media following.
When I truly understood this, everything shifted. Because what happens if Instagram shuts down tomorrow? What if your account gets hacked? What if the algorithm changes and nobody sees your content anymore?
Your Instagram followers? Gone. Your Google rankings? Still there. Your website? Still there. Your email list? Still there.
SEO gives you ownership. It gives you control. And most importantly, search does all the heavy lifting for you.
The 4 Things That Actually Matter for Local Spa SEO
Forget everything else you've heard. These are the only four things you need to focus on:
1. Your Google Business Profile (Update It Weekly)
This is the foundation of everything. Your Google Business Profile is what shows up when someone searches "[your service] near me" or "[your spa name]."
Google LOVES when you keep it updated. Here's what I recommend: Update something every single week. It doesn't have to be huge—just one small thing like your hours, a service description, new photos, or a current promotion.
Make it boring: Every Monday morning, update one thing on your Google Business Profile. That's it. Just one thing. It takes 5 minutes.
2. Reviews (The Social Proof Google Craves)
Reviews are huge. They're social proof. They show Google (and potential clients) that real people trust you.
Google is constantly asking itself: "Who can we share this business with that's looking for something like this?" If you have consistent, recent reviews? You come up. If you have old reviews or no reviews? You don't.
You don't need 500 reviews. You just need RECENT reviews. Consistent reviews. Reviews that mention specific team members and services.
3. Location-Based Keywords on Your Website
This one's easy and people skip it all the time. When you're writing blog posts or service descriptions, use location-based keywords.
Don't just say "We offer the best facials." Say "We offer the best acne facials in [your city]."
Mention your city, nearby towns, and regional descriptors naturally throughout your content. Make it natural—don't stuff keywords awkwardly.
4. Photos and Videos (What Google Shows People)
Google LOVES visual content. Someone searching for spas can scroll through your photos and immediately get a feel for your vibe, your space, your team.
Upload photos of you and your team, your lobby, treatment rooms, clients getting services (with permission), before and afters, and the front of your spa. People want REAL—your actual space, your actual team, actual results.
Action step this week: Upload 5-7 new photos to your Google Business Profile. Right now. Today if possible.
What You DON'T Need (Stop Stressing About This)
You do NOT need an intense backlink strategy, an SEO agency costing thousands per month, technical schema markup knowledge, or fancy tools and software.
I'd say once you're consistently over $500K in revenue, then consider hiring SEO help. Until then, the basics work just fine.
Your Action Plan for This Week
Here's exactly what to do:
If you don't have a Google Business Profile yet: Create one immediately, verify your business, and fill out everything they ask for.
If you already have a Google Business Profile:
Upload 5-7 new photos (real ones, not graphics)
Reach out to 3-5 loyal clients for Google reviews
Post an update to your Google Profile
Update ONE thing in your profile
That's it. Four simple tasks. You can knock this out in 30 minutes or less.
The Consistency Factor (Why Boring Wins Again)
You don't need to be techie. You just need to be CONSISTENT.
Doing these four things once? Meh. It might help a little. Doing these four things every single week for six months? That's when the magic happens.
Remember: SEO takes 6-18 months to really see results. This is a long game. But once it works? It keeps working. For years.
I did my SEO method consistently for about two years. Now I just maintain it occasionally, and Google keeps sending me over 50% of my new clients every single month. That's the power of boring, consistent work.
The "Just Absorbing Information" Trap
Just because you absorb this information does not mean you will get the transformation that comes from it.
You can read every blog post about SEO, listen to every podcast, watch every YouTube video. But if you don't actually DO the work? Nothing changes.
Pick ONE thing from this list and do it today. Right now. Before you close this tab.
Update your Google Business Profile with one new photo, text one client asking for a review, add your city name to one service description on your website, or post one update to your Google profile. Just ONE thing.
Then do one more thing next week. And the week after. And the week after that. That's how transformation happens—not from knowing, but from DOING.
Your Next Step
You have everything you need now. The strategy is simple: Google Business Profile (update weekly), reviews (ask systematically), location keywords (use naturally), and photos/videos (upload regularly).
That's it. Four things. Not forty. Not four hundred. Just four.
Stop overthinking it. Stop waiting for the perfect time. Stop making it more complicated than it needs to be.
Pick one thing and do it today. Then keep doing it every week. In six months, come back and tell me how much your Google traffic has increased.
Ready to build a spa that runs on systems instead of stress?
Fill out this intake form to book a free 30-minute discovery call with me. I help spa owners create sustainable processes that get real results without the overwhelm.
If you're tired of the feast-or-famine cycle and ready to create predictable client flow, let's talk. Let's map out what sustainable growth looks like for your specific spa.
