SEO Case Study: How a Solar Company Increased Installation Requests by 260%
On March 10, 2025, a solar installation company in Fremont, California partnered with Goforaeo because their lead flow was inconsistent. Referrals were strong, but Google was not sending steady homeowners who were ready to book a site assessment. Paid ads were also getting more expensive, so they wanted a long term channel that keeps working.
This case study explains exactly what we did from March 10, 2025 to October 31, 2025, and how the company increased monthly installation requests from 95 to 342, which equals a 260% increase.
Company background: What they offered and how people found them
The client was a residential solar installer serving Fremont homeowners, with services like solar panel installation, main panel upgrades, and battery add ons. They had real experience in the field, but their website was too generic, so it did not match the way people search. Many visitors landed on the site, read for a few seconds, then left without taking action.
Most prospects had the same questions before requesting an install quote. They asked about permits, timelines, pricing ranges, financing, roof fit, and what a site visit includes. The site did not answer these clearly, so trust was lost too early.
What we counted as an installation request
We did not track “leads” loosely because that creates confusion later. We set one clean definition and used it for the whole campaign. An installation request was counted only when the prospect completed a real action that showed intent.
Installation request actions tracked:
- Website form submission for an install quote or assessment
- Booked site assessment request from the website
- Phone call from the website that connected and lasted long enough to be a real inquiry
Baseline: March 2025 numbers before SEO changes
We used March 2025 as the baseline month after fixing tracking. This ensured the “before” numbers were accurate, not undercounted. We pulled reporting from GA4, Google Search Console, Google Business Profile insights, and call tracking.
March 2025 baseline metrics:
- Installation requests, all sources: 95
- Installation requests from organic search: 31
- Organic sessions: 2,900
- Organic request rate: 3.3%
- Google Business Profile actions: 1,050
- Strong visibility keywords in top positions for Fremont intent: limited and inconsistent
Results: October 2025 numbers after the SEO campaign
By October 2025, the company was being discovered more often for Fremont solar searches, and the site was converting more visitors into real requests. Rankings improved, but the bigger win was that the website felt clearer and more trustworthy, so people took action without hesitation.
October 2025 final metrics:
- Installation requests, all sources: 342
- Installation requests from organic search: 112
- Organic sessions: 9,400
- Organic request rate: 5.7%
- Google Business Profile actions: 3,620
Before vs after proof: Where the 260% increase comes from
We kept the comparison simple and fair by using the same metric in two clear months. In March 2025, installation requests were 95. In October 2025, installation requests were 342.
Proof summary:
- March 2025 requests: 95
- October 2025 requests: 342
- Increase in monthly requests: 247
- Percent increase: 260%
What was holding them back before we started
The biggest issue was that the site did not match search intent at the service and city level. People were searching for terms like “solar installation Fremont” and “solar company Fremont CA,” but the pages were too broad. Google could not clearly map the website to those local searches, so competitors kept taking the best spots.
The second issue was trust and clarity on money pages. A homeowner needs fast proof that the company is real, licensed, experienced, and easy to work with. The website had some content, but it did not present proof where it mattered most, right before the form and phone call.
The third issue was mobile friction. Many prospects were on phones and the key pages were slow, cluttered, and not guiding visitors smoothly to request an assessment. Even with decent traffic, these issues reduce requests sharply.
Strategy overview: The simple plan we followed
We used a practical local SEO strategy that works for home services. Tracking and technical problems were fixed first, then high-intent service pages were built, and local trust signals were strengthened through reviews and authority mentions. We also focused on conversion improvements so traffic turned into real installation requests.
Core strategy pillars:
- Measurement and tracking cleanup
- Fremont local SEO signals and Google Business Profile improvements
- High intent service pages that match real searches
- Better mobile speed and clear calls to action
- Trust building through reviews, proof, and local mentions
Tools used: What we used to plan, fix, and measure results
We kept the tool stack focused so every tool supported action and proof. Each tool was used regularly, not just once in the beginning.
Tools used during the campaign:
- Google Analytics 4: tracked form submissions, call clicks, conversion paths
- Google Search Console: tracked queries, clicks, impressions, indexing health
- Google Business Profile insights: tracked calls, direction requests, website clicks
- Screaming Frog: audited site structure, broken links, duplicate tags, internal linking
- Ahrefs: researched keywords, competitor gaps, link opportunities
- PageSpeed Insights: diagnosed mobile speed issues and fixes
- Call tracking: identified call sources and filtered low quality calls
Month by month work and monthly performance data
Below is the monthly breakdown from March 2025 to October 2025. Each month includes what we did and the numbers that moved. The goal here is to show a logical timeline, not random tasks.
March 2025: Tracking fixes and foundational local cleanup
We started on March 10, 2025 by making tracking reliable and cleaning up the highest impact pages. This month was about removing confusion and building a strong base, so later improvements could be measured clearly.
Work completed in March 2025:
- Fixed GA4 conversion tracking for form submissions and key click events
- Confirmed call tracking and source labeling for website calls
- Cleaned core page titles and descriptions to match Fremont intent
- Improved contact visibility on mobile, including tap to call placement
March 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 95
- Organic sessions: 2,900
- Organic requests: 31
- GBP actions: 1,050
April 2025: High intent service pages built for real Fremont searches
In April, we rebuilt core service pages so Google could clearly understand each service and so homeowners could quickly see what they get. We also added plain language sections that explain the process, because solar buyers want clarity before they request a visit.
Work completed in April 2025:
- Built separate service pages for solar installation, panel upgrades, and battery add ons
- Added “how the process works” sections with simple steps
- Added FAQs to answer pricing factors, permits, and timeline questions
- Improved internal linking from homepage to service pages and contact page
April 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 118
- Organic sessions: 3,400
- Organic requests: 41
- GBP actions: 1,260
May 2025: Fremont local relevance and Google Business Profile upgrades
May focused on stronger local signals. We aligned the website content with Fremont neighborhoods and service language naturally, without keyword stuffing. We also improved Google Business Profile details so map visibility could grow steadily.
Work completed in May 2025:
- Updated Google Business Profile categories and service list
- Added new job photos and project highlights to the profile
- Improved NAP consistency across key listings and references
- Added local proof points on site, like Fremont service notes and permit guidance
May 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 146
- Organic sessions: 4,200
- Organic requests: 52
- GBP actions: 1,540
June 2025: Mobile speed improvements and conversion cleanup
In June, we reduced friction because most Fremont homeowners were visiting from phones. We improved load times and page layout so visitors could understand services quickly and submit a request without scrolling through distractions.
Work completed in June 2025:
- Compressed heavy images and cleaned unnecessary scripts
- Improved page layout so the quote form appears earlier on mobile
- Reduced form fields to lower drop offs
- Added trust blocks near calls to action, including licensing notes and review proof
June 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 185
- Organic sessions: 5,400
- Organic requests: 67
- GBP actions: 1,980
July 2025: Buyer focused content that supports both rankings and trust
In July, we added content that matches real homeowner questions, but we kept it practical and conversion focused. We also linked this content from service pages, so it supported the lead journey instead of sitting alone like a blog archive.
Work completed in July 2025:
- Published clear guides on site assessment steps, timeline, and common roof questions
- Added financing and savings explanation pages in simple words
- Strengthened internal links between guides and service pages
- Updated headings and copy based on Search Console query trends
July 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 236
- Organic sessions: 6,700
- Organic requests: 81
- GBP actions: 2,480
August 2025: Review growth and trust signals that influence decisions
In August, we focused on trust because solar is a high value purchase. People compare multiple installers and often choose the one that feels safest and easiest to work with. Reviews and strong proof placed correctly helped both rankings and conversions.
Work completed in August 2025:
- Set up a review request process for completed installs
- Responded to reviews with human, helpful replies that reinforced service area
- Added project photos and short case notes to key pages
- Earned a few local mentions through Fremont community listings and business pages
August 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 284
- Organic sessions: 7,800
- Organic requests: 95
- GBP actions: 2,980
September 2025: Expanding coverage for related intent without thin pages
September was about scaling what worked, but carefully. Instead of creating many weak pages, we improved existing pages with deeper answers, better proof, and stronger internal links. We also watched competitors and adjusted content where needed.
Work completed in September 2025:
- Expanded FAQs and proof sections on top service pages
- Added nearby intent support where it made sense without duplication
- Improved internal linking to push authority to the highest converting pages
- Monitored rank and query changes weekly and updated pages accordingly
September 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 321
- Organic sessions: 8,900
- Organic requests: 106
- GBP actions: 3,340
October 2025: Consolidation, stability, and protecting the wins
October focused on keeping rankings stable and improving page freshness. We refreshed key pages with updated proof and rechecked technical health so there were no hidden issues that could slowly reduce visibility.
Work completed in October 2025:
- Updated key pages with fresh project photos and current service details
- Reviewed index coverage and fixed minor crawl and tag issues
- Cleaned broken links and improved internal linking consistency
- Final conversion review for mobile to keep forms and calls easy to reach
October 2025 results:
- Installation requests: 342
- Organic sessions: 9,400
- Organic requests: 112
- GBP actions: 3,620
Why installation requests increased: The clear reason in simple words
Requests increased because the company started showing up for the right Fremont searches, and the website made the next step feel easy and safe. We improved local relevance, so Google trusted the site for city plus service searches. We improved trust, so homeowners believed the company could handle permits and installs without surprises.
The conversion lift mattered as much as traffic. The organic request rate rose from 3.3% to 5.7%, which shows the site became better at turning visitors into real requests. When higher visibility and better conversion happen together, growth compounds month after month.
Key takeaways for local service businesses like solar installers
This project proves that local SEO works best when it is tied to buyer intent and conversion. A solar company does not need random traffic, it needs homeowners who want an assessment now or soon. Strong service pages, a healthy Google Business Profile, and clear proof near the call to action create consistent results.
From March 10, 2025 to October 31, 2025, this Fremont solar company increased installation requests from 95 to 342 per month, delivering a verified 260% increase through a clear, step by step SEO strategy managed by Goforaeo.