Local Marketing Tools
How to choose the right local marketing tool
Start with what needs work. Visibility tools get you found. Conversion tools get you chosen.
Referral tools keep the pipeline full.
Visibility Tools
These tools handle the visibility work. Google rankings, site fixes, keyword research, and internal linking. Your local SEO foundation.
SEMrush
How it's used: Research for content and service pages. Technical checks before and after site updates.
Best for: Teams that want one suite for research and audits.
Rank Math
How it's used: Standard on every new site. Sitewide settings and page-level optimization.
Best for: WordPress sites that want clean SEO controls.
Link Whisper
How it's used: Build topical clusters fast. Fix orphan pages. Improve crawl depth.
Best for: Sites with 30+ pages or blogs.
Google Search Console and Google Analytics
How they're used: Monthly review and quick fixes. Input for every Local Leads Checkup audit.
Best for: Every site. No exceptions.
Authority Tools
These increase conversion. They build trust and improve user experience so more visitors become leads.
WordPress
How it's used: Client sites and funnel pages.
Best for: Any local business that wants control and speed.
WP Engine
How it's used: Production sites that need reliable uptime and support.
Best for: Businesses ready for hosting that actually works.
Canva
How it's used: Brand kits, service one-pagers, post templates, presentation graphics.
Best for: Small teams that need professional assets without a designer.
Creative Market
How it's used: Licensing brand elements and templates for client projects.
Best for: DIY brand upgrades and professional design resources.
Divi Theme
How it's used: Build service pages, offer pages, and landing pages without touching code.
Best for: WordPress sites that want to move fast without custom development.
MemberPress
How it's used: Training portals and paid resources. Powers Learn Local Marketing.
Best for: WordPress sites adding education or member areas.
Termageddon
How it's used: Installed on every site that collects leads. Set it and forget it.
Best for: Any business with forms or analytics.
Reputation Tools
Reviews and relationships drive referrals. These tools help you request reviews, stay present, and build authority.
HighLevel
How it's used: Lead management and sales automation.
Best for: Sales workflows and local automation. Not ideal for email marketing.
SocialBee
How it's used: Keep brands visible. Publish offers, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.
Best for: Teams that want simple scheduling without complexity.
Buzzsprout
How it's used: Simple, reliable podcast hosting for local authority building.
Best for: Owners building authority in their local market through podcasting.
ActiveCampaign
How it's used: Lead nurture, review requests, referral campaigns, staying top of mind.
Best for: Businesses that want reliable email without all-in-one complexity.
Operations + Legal
The behind-the-scenes tools that keep everything running smoothly.
Google Workspace
How it's used: Client folders, collaboration, asset storage, and professional email.
Best for: Any business. This is non-negotiable.
LastPass
How it's used: Client access and vendor logins without sending passwords over email.
Best for: Any team handling multiple logins.
Resources
The training that builds foundational skills.
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing
Practical, ethical affiliate strategy that works.
Sticky Blogging SEO
Essential SEO for anyone building a blog or content hub.
Favorite Books
$100M Offers
How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No
Chillpreneur
The New Rules for Creating Success, Freedom, and Abundance on Your Terms
What Are the Odds?
A Mom Shares Her Good, Bad and What the F--K Moments in Life & Business
We Should All Be Millionaires
A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power
You Are a Badass at Making Money
Master the Mindset of Wealth
Marketing Made Simple
A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
How this fits the Local Marketing Method™
Visibility comes first. Search visibility and accurate data. Authority turns that attention into trust and calls. Reputation keeps the pipeline full with reviews and relationships.
No random tasks. Just systems that keep your phone ringing.
Ready to put these tools to work?
Need to see what's working (and what's not)?
Ready to implement or need accountability?
Here's the deal: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We're telling you this because it's the right thing to do (and also because it's the law).
Any affiliate commissions earned go right back into this business to bring you better resources. And possibly some hot yoga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to see the answer.
What is the best local marketing tool for small businesses?
There is no single best tool. The right one depends on what you need to fix. If you are not showing up in search, start with visibility tools like SEMrush or Rank Math. If visitors are not converting, focus on your website and trust signals. If referrals are inconsistent, build your review and email systems first.
Are free marketing tools enough for local businesses?
For starting out, yes. Google's free tools (GBP, Search Console, Analytics) are powerful. But paid tools save time and unlock features you can't get free. HighLevel replaces 5+ separate tools. SEMrush shows you what your competitors are doing. The question is whether your time or the tool subscription costs more.
How much should I budget for marketing tools monthly?
Minimum: $0 (using only free tools). Realistic for growth: $200-400/month. This typically covers hosting ($30-50), HighLevel ($97), SEMrush ($99-120), plus smaller subscriptions. One new client covers this for months.
Do I really need expensive SEO tools like SEMrush?
Not at first. Start with free tools and Rank Math. Add SEMrush when you need competitor research, deeper keyword data, or site audits beyond what Search Console provides. If you're consistently creating content or running client campaigns, it pays for itself.
What tools do I need for Google Business Profile optimization?
Google Business Profile Manager (free) is the baseline. Add a review management system like HighLevel for automated requests and monitoring. For audits and rank tracking, SEMrush works well. For photos, Canva. Most businesses can start with just GBP Manager and add tools as they grow.
Can I use these tools without technical skills?
Most of them, yes. HighLevel, Canva, and SocialBee are built for non-technical users. WordPress with Divi requires some learning but no coding. SEMrush and Rank Math have learning curves but good documentation. If you can manage email and social media, you can learn these tools.
Which tools help with getting more Google reviews?
HighLevel for automated review request campaigns via email and SMS. Google Business Profile for responding to reviews quickly. That's it. You don't need expensive reputation management platforms. You need a simple system to ask consistently and respond professionally.
What's the difference between HighLevel and HubSpot?
HubSpot is enterprise-level CRM with higher pricing and more complexity. HighLevel is built for small to medium businesses and agencies, starting at $97/month versus HubSpot's $800+/month for similar features. HighLevel is easier to set up and includes tools HubSpot charges extra for.