Your Reputation Built Your Business, But Is It Enough to Keep It Growing?
If your landscaping business has grown through referrals, you’re doing something right. Quality work, happy clients, and a name people trust, that’s the foundation of word-of-mouth marketing. And it works. Referrals convert about 30% better than cold leads. (Source)
Here’s the Catch
you definitely can’t build a reliable schedule on “let’s see what happens this month.”
That kind of uncertainty is tough when you’ve got crews to keep busy, equipment to maintain, and growth goals to hit.
So what are steady-growth landscapers doing differently?
They’re keeping their referrals and backing them up with a reliable lead system made up of simple tools and strategies that attract new clients year-round, fill in the slow gaps, and make the business easier to plan, price, and scale.
We work with landscapers across North America, and the ones seeing steady, predictable growth all have one thing in common:
They stopped waiting for the phone to ring.
Most Homeowners Start with a Search
When someone needs a landscaper, they don’t always start by asking a neighbour. They start with Google.
You’ve probably seen the searches yourself:
- “Landscaper near me”
- “Backyard patio ideas”
- “Sod installation [your city]”
You’ve probably seen the searches yourself:
- “Landscaper near me”
- “Backyard patio ideas”
- “Sod installation [your city]”
The companies showing up at the top of those results are the ones getting the calls, the quote requests, and the booked jobs.
Here’s what they’re doing right:
Keeping their Google Business Profile updated
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first impression a homeowner gets, before they ever click your website. When it’s outdated, incomplete, or neglected, it can send the wrong message.
Why does this matter?
Google uses this information to decide which businesses to show in local searches like “landscaper near me.” An accurate, active profile helps you show up more frequently and rank higher in the map pack.
What to do:
-
Double-check your hours, service areas, and contact info — they need to match your website exactly.
-
Add recent photos of your work (Google prioritizes fresh content).
-
Choose the right categories that match what you actually do (e.g., “landscape designer,” “retaining wall contractor,” etc.).
-
Respond to every review. Even a quick “Thanks for your feedback!” shows you’re active.
Bonus tip: Post a quick update every month, something like “Now booking spring cleanups” or “Check out this new backyard patio we just finished.” It takes two minutes and keeps your profile current in Google’s eyes.
Asking Happy Clients for Reviews
You already know good reviews help, but consistency matters more than total count. A landscaper with a few recent reviews will outrank someone with dozens of old ones.
Why it matters:
People trust what’s recent. Google does too. Reviews prove that you’re active, reliable, and delivering great results today — not two years ago.
What to do:
-
Ask right after the job wraps up, when clients are happiest and most likely to respond.
-
Make it simple: text or email them your direct Google review link.
-
If they reply saying “We love it!” — that’s your cue to ask for the review.
-
Set a small goal: 3 new reviews per month. Over time, that becomes 36 new trust signals every year.
Bonus tip: Reply to every review, good or bad. It shows professionalism and gives you another chance to highlight your service values.
Making Sure Their Website Is Clear, Current, and Helpful
Your website isn’t just a portfolio, it’s your digital sales rep. It should answer the top questions homeowners have before they call you.
Why it matters:
A clear, mobile-friendly, fast-loading website gives potential clients confidence. They’ll see your professionalism, understand your services, and feel ready to reach out — without hesitation.
What to do:
-
Clarify your services: Make sure each one has its own short, easy-to-skim section (e.g., design/build, hardscaping, lighting, maintenance).
-
Highlight your area: Add a “Service Areas” page or map. Google uses this to connect you to local searches.
-
Add social proof: Showcase testimonials, reviews, and before/after galleries.
-
Make it easy to contact you: Keep your quote form or phone number in clear view — ideally on every page.
-
Keep content fresh: Update photos, add seasonal promotions, or write one blog per quarter answering common client questions (like “When should I start spring planting?”).
Bonus tip: Pretend you’re a homeowner landing on your site for the first time. Is it obvious what you do, where you work, and how to get started? If not, fix that first.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these updates takes less than an hour, but together, they make a lasting impact. When your Google profile, reviews, photos, and website all tell the same story, you become easy to find, easy to trust, and easy to hire.
Ready to Build a Lead System That Works Year-Round?
If you’re ready to grow with more consistency, not just when referrals roll in, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
We help landscaping companies create simple, sustainable marketing systems that generate quality leads month after month.
No pressure. No gimmicks. Just clear systems built to help you grow your business with confidence.
