# Shop talk. > Plain-English articles on what a trade business is worth and what buyers check online. HVAC, plumbing and landscaping so far. Source: https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/ Plain English articles for owners who run a shop and not a marketing department. Selling in the next few years? [Start with the sell-ready overview →](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/sell-ready/) [ _Drawing: A one-star Google review for Larkspur Plumbing from Darren K., three weeks old, saying he paid $385 for a drain call, the sink backed up two days later and nobody called him back. Under it, the owner's reply from two weeks ago apologises, says the tech went back on the 14th, found roots in the line with a camera and did not charge for the visit, signed Glenn._ SEO ### How to remove a Google review. Google removes reviews that break its rules, and your reply handles the rest. Updated October 27, 2026 Read it → ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/seo/remove-bad-google-reviews/) More shop talk [ Ads ### Google Local Services Ads, explained. Google now charges for some missed calls, and Google Guaranteed is gone. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A plumber's Local Services Ads leads inbox for one week in Calgary. An answered four minute call and a message are charged. A missed call that rang 34 seconds during open hours is also charged and marked in orange. A missed call of 9 seconds is not charged, and neither is a repeat call from Tuesday's customer. A note says missed calls over 20 seconds now count._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/ads/google-local-services-ads/)[ SEO ### How to get more Google reviews. Ask before the truck leaves the driveway, and send the link by text. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A phone showing a text thread with Tri-City Heating at 4:52 pm. Marco texts Dana that her new furnace is in and the old one is gone, then asks for a Google review with a short review link. Dana replies that it is done and thanks him._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/seo/get-more-google-reviews/)[ SEO ### Your Google Business Profile got suspended. The rules trade businesses break on Google, and how to appeal a suspension. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A Google Business Profile notice for Northgate Plumbing in Red Deer, marked suspended for showing a home address to customers. Below it, a checklist to have ready before appealing: address hidden and service area set, business registration, business licence, and a utility bill with the same name and address. At the bottom, a Submit appeal button._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/seo/google-business-profile-suspended/)[ SEO ### How long SEO takes. At least six to nine months, and here is what to watch while you wait. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A Search Console style performance card for an HVAC shop in Lethbridge, January to October. Impressions climb every month, from 800 in January to 6,300 in October. Clicks sit between 12 and 16 a month until June, then rise to 96 by October. Totals: 32,800 impressions and 326 clicks._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/seo/how-long-does-seo-take/)[ Websites ### What website maintenance costs. Maintenance runs $30 to $500 a month, and this is what decides your number. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A sample quote for twelve months of website maintenance for an electrical contractor. Hosting 300 dollars, software and plugin updates 480, daily backups 180, security monitoring 240, and small changes at one hour a month 540, for a total of 1,740 dollars, or 145 a month. The small changes line is circled, with a note to ask what the second hour costs._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/websites/website-maintenance-cost/)[ Ads ### Angi, HomeStars and paid leads. A paid lead is a chance to quote, and it ends the day you stop paying. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A monthly lead statement for an HVAC shop in Edmonton for September. 22 leads charged, 13 that answered, 7 quotes sent and 3 jobs booked, shown as shrinking bars with the jobs booked bar in amber. A note says all 22 leads were billed, booked or not._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/ads/paid-leads/)[ Websites ### What a crane and rigging website needs. A project manager booking a lift should find your fleet list without opening a PDF. Updated October 27, 2026 _Drawing: A phone showing a crane company's fleet list as text. An 18 tonne boom truck with 28 metres of reach, a 40 tonne boom truck with 38 metres, a 60 tonne rough terrain crane with 34 metres, and a 110 tonne all terrain crane with 60 metres, each with a load chart link. A Request a lift button sits at the bottom._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/websites/crane-and-rigging-websites/)[ Selling ### What is my business worth? The range brokers quote, and what moves you up or down it. Updated October 26, 2026 _Drawing: A recast statement: profit on the books of 148,000, plus the owner's salary and truck added back, for owner earnings of 257,000._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/sell-ready/what-is-my-business-worth/)[ Selling ### Selling your HVAC business. The most shopped-for trade business in North America, and what its buyers pay for. Updated October 26, 2026 _Drawing: A yearly HVAC service agreement for one household: a furnace tune-up in October, an AC tune-up in May, priority call-outs, 289 dollars a year, renewed six years running._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/sell-ready/hvac/)[ Selling ### Selling your plumbing business. Why word of mouth stops working the day you list, and what to build instead. Updated October 26, 2026 _Drawing: A card showing that one click on the search 'seo for plumbers' costs 126 dollars, and one click on 'sell my plumbing business' costs 38 dollars._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/sell-ready/plumbing/)[ Selling ### Selling your landscaping business. Why maintenance contracts decide the price range. Updated October 26, 2026 _Drawing: A grid of 28 properties for the 2026 season: most signed, four new this year, three still open._ ](https://b-sideprojects.com/shop-talk/sell-ready/landscaping/) ## Would you rather ask? Thirty minutes on the phone, and I'll tell you what I see when I look you up. [Book a 30 minute call](https://b-sideprojects.com/book/)