How to Get Your Business Found Online in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city that moves fast. With Arizona State University pumping in tens of thousands of students, faculty, and visitors every year, plus a growing mix of tech startups, restaurants, and retail shops, there’s no shortage of customers. But here’s the problem: if your business doesn’t show up on Google when someone searches for “coffee near ASU” or “plumber in Tempe,” you might as well be invisible.
Most small businesses in Tempe struggle to get found online for one simple reason: they haven’t told Google they exist. Google is like a giant phone book that updates itself every second. If you don’t claim your spot in that phone book, your competitors will. Here’s what you can do about it, starting today.
1. Set up your Google Business Profile
This is the single most important thing you can do. Go to Google Business Profile (it’s free) and claim your business. Fill out every field: your address, phone number, hours, website, and what you do. If you’re a pizza place, say “pizza” not “artisan flatbreads.” Be direct. Google uses this info to decide when to show your business in local search results and on Google Maps.
2. Ask for reviews (and respond to them)
Reviews are like word-of-mouth for the internet. When someone searches for a mechanic in Tempe, Google looks at how many reviews you have and how recent they are. Ask happy customers to leave a review. Don’t offer discounts or free stuff for reviews—that’s against Google’s rules. Just ask. And when you get a review, reply. A simple “Thanks, glad we could help” goes a long way.
3. Make sure your website works on a phone
More than half of searches happen on phones. If your website takes more than three seconds to load or looks squished on a small screen, people will leave. You don’t need a fancy redesign. Just check your site on your own phone. Can you read the text? Tap the “Call Us” button? If not, fix that.
4. Use local keywords naturally
When you write about your business—on your website, in blog posts, or on social media—mention where you are. Instead of “we sell custom t-shirts,” say “we sell custom t-shirts in Tempe near Mill Avenue.” This helps Google connect your business to local searches.
What about backlinks?
Backlinks are simply links from other websites to yours. Think of them as votes of confidence. If the Tempe Chamber of Commerce or a local news site links to your business, Google sees that as a sign that you’re trustworthy. The more high-quality sites that link to you, the better your chances of ranking higher. You can get backlinks by being mentioned in local articles, partnering with other businesses, or getting listed in local directories.
At BacklinkUSA.com, we help businesses like yours get mentioned on high-authority websites—real news sites, industry blogs, and local publications—so Google sees you as a trusted local resource. It’s one of the most effective ways to climb the rankings without needing a degree in SEO.
Start with your Google profile and reviews. Then think about getting other sites to talk about you. That’s how you go from invisible to found.