How a Local Gutter Cleaner Lost Customers and His Business

I called a local gutter cleaner today… and he told me he was closing up shop.

When he started his business, things were going really well. But since February 2025, his customers had dried up. His last attempt to save the business was placing an ad in a local paper. In the last few months, his business disappeared.

He told me that people don’t want their gutters cleaned unless really needed. The cost of living crisis likely plays a part. When customers called him, they said he was too expensive.

They wanted his professional service. He had proper equipment, technology, and a clean gutter guarantee, But he was competing on price with guys who show up with a bucket and a ladder. Those competitors charge a fraction of his price and complete the work to a lower standard.

This gutter cleaner was wrapping up his business and he found another job.

He said that once his local ad subscription ends in a few weeks, that’s it. He may clean gutters on weekends for existing clients, but the business as it is… is gone.

I felt bad for him. I called to see if I could help his business, but I was too late.

The Digital Reality

Before calling the local gutter cleaner, I did some basic research online. I wanted to see if there was a way to help. Here’s what I found:

• The gutter cleaner didn’t have a Google Business Profile
• He had no Google reviews
• He didn’t have a website
• His Facebook page was neglected and hadn’t been updated in over a year

Conclusion: It would have been almost impossible to find his business online. He had no way to compete against the cheaper cleaners, but he also couldn’t compete against other high value providers. He was completely missing from any Google Search.

Local Demand Is Real

Even though his business was struggling, demand for gutter cleaning is high. I used a Google keyword tool to find how many people were searching for gutter cleaners.

• There were over 10,000 Google searches for “gutter cleaning” in Australia last month
• 4,500 of those were for “gutter cleaning near me”

That’s almost 50% of people looking specifically for a local service.

Imagine if he had a Google Business Profile. Google would know his business existed and where he operated. A local search for “gutter cleaner near me” could have displayed his profile — with operating hours, photos, a phone number, and customer reviews.

The Power of a Google Business profile

A Google Business Profile is a free, mini-site on Google. This is essential for local businesses that want to be found in local search engine results. Once claimed and optimized, it can:

• Show your business on Google Maps
• Display operating hours, photos, and contact information
• Highlight customer reviews and ratings
• Bring customers straight to your door

For this gutter cleaner, a simple, optimized profile could have helped his business. It may have even saved it.

Local Search Stats

Here’s why a Google Business Profile is critical for small to medium businesses for local search.

• 40–50% of all Google searches have local intent and are looking for local businesses.
• “Near me” searches have grown 200%+ over the last two years (Google Insights 2023)

And there is a startling number of businesses that are missing out.

• A 2023 study by Red Search found that 55% of Australian local businesses haven’t claimed their Google Business Profile
• Of the 45% that have claimed their Google Business profile, only 42% had optimized their listings for local search (Red Search)
• This means a staggering 19% of local businesses are winning the Search Game.

With that much local search traffic, being invisible online is a huge missed opportunity. And that traffic, that business is going to your competitors.

Why Old-School Ads Aren’t Enough

Newspaper ads or letter drops can work in local areas. But they can’t be your sole strategy.

At a minimum, every business needs a Google Business Profile. You need to be on the Google Map to get local customers calling.

Takeaway: Build Your Digital Footprint

Digital strategies don’t have to be complicated. Your competitors likely already have one in place. And the Local Gutter Cleaner I spoke to really missed out.

A Google Business Profile is free traffic from Google, easy to set up, and can be a game-changer for your business.

I wish I had spoken to that local gutter cleaner six months ago — I really think I could have helped him.

Don’t Get Lost Online!