Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does Project Studios do?

We build local growth infrastructure for serious operators — not just websites. Our core services include outcome-based SEO focused on Map Pack dominance, LeadStream Pro for closed-loop attribution tracking, and AI infrastructure for automation. We specialize in helping Christchurch contractors, builders, and local franchises capture more leads and attribute revenue accurately.

Who is your ideal client?

We work with established local businesses in Christchurch and Canterbury who are serious about growth. Our ideal clients have:

• Annual revenue of $500K+
• $1,000-$2,000/month ad budget
• Real photos of their work (not stock images)
• Capacity to handle 20-30% more jobs
• Willingness to invest in long-term infrastructure

If you're looking for the cheapest option, we're not the right fit. If you want systems that actually work, let's talk.

What areas do you serve?

We're based in Christchurch and primarily serve businesses throughout Canterbury. However, our LeadStream Pro and AI Agent Lab solutions can be deployed remotely for suitable clients across New Zealand. Local SEO services are specifically optimized for Christchurch and surrounding areas.

How long have you been a developer?

I've been building for the web since 2003. This 20+ year trajectory allows me to see past the "buzzwords" of SEO and understand the underlying code, server logic, and data structures that actually drive search engines and AI models. My experience spans from basic HTML/CSS to modern AI infrastructure, giving me architectural authority that most standard SEO agencies simply don't possess.

How does a developer's perspective help with SEO and AIO?

Most SEO is surface-level. My approach is Technical-First. Because I understand how bots (and now LLMs) crawl and parse data, I focus on building high-performance, schema-rich environments where AI can easily identify your business as the "Primary Entity." This isn't about keyword stuffing — it's about creating technically sound infrastructure that both humans and machines can understand and trust.

What is your strategy for Google Business Profile optimization?

Optimization goes beyond just filling out a profile. I focus on:

• Active Engagement: Scheduling Google Posts and photo updates to signal "freshness"
• Reputation Management: Implementing systems for authentic review generation and professional response handling
• Hyper-Local Relevance: Ensuring your GBP reflects the specific needs and queries of your local service areas
• Category Optimization: Strategic primary and secondary category selection for maximum visibility

How do you ensure NAP consistency?

Consistency in Name, Address, and Phone number is a critical trust signal. I use a proactive management approach (monitoring Tier-2 and Tier-3 directories) rather than a reactive one, ensuring your business footprint is identical across the entire web. This includes:

• Auditing 50+ citation sources
• Correcting inconsistencies at the source
• Building new citations on authoritative local directories
• Monthly monitoring for data drift

What is AIO, and why does it matter?

Traditional SEO focuses on keywords to get clicks. AIO (AI Optimization) focuses on Authority to get cited. As users shift toward "Answer Engines" like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews, your business needs to be the source those models trust. Being cited by AI is the new Page 1 ranking.

How do you optimize for Large Language Models (LLMs)?

We move from "keywords" to "entities." This involves:

• Advanced Schema Markup: Using JSON-LD to tell AI exactly who you are and what you do
• NLP Alignment: Structuring content to align with Natural Language Processing patterns
• Information Gain: Creating unique insights that AI models find valuable enough to cite
• Entity Relationships: Building semantic connections between your business and industry concepts

Learn more about Google AI Overviews optimization.

What's the difference between SEO and AIO?

SEO optimizes for search engines that return a list of links. AIO optimizes for AI systems that provide direct answers. While SEO gets you clicks, AIO gets you mentioned as the authoritative source. Both matter — AIO is simply the next evolution of digital visibility.

What's the difference between your SEO and typical SEO agencies?

We don't sell rankings — we sell results. Most agencies focus on vanity metrics like keyword positions. We focus on:

• Map Pack dominance — Getting you into the top 3 local results
• AI Overview visibility — Appearing in Google's AI-generated answers
• Attribution tracking — Knowing exactly which marketing drives revenue
• Qualified leads — Not just traffic, but ready-to-buy customers

Learn more about our outcome-based SEO approach.

How long does SEO take to show results?

SEO is a long-term investment, not a quick fix. Typically:

• Month 1-2: Technical foundation, tracking setup, content optimization
• Month 3-4: Initial ranking improvements, increased visibility
• Month 6+: Significant traffic and lead growth
• Month 12+: Dominant market position, compounding returns

Our Flex SEO retainer is designed for sustained growth, not one-time optimizations.

What is "Map Pack dominance"?

The Map Pack (or Local Pack) is the map and 3 business listings that appear at the top of Google for local searches like "plumber Christchurch" or "builder near me." Securing a position in the Map Pack can generate 40-60% of local search clicks. Our Google Maps SEO service specifically targets this high-value real estate through optimized Google Business Profiles, local citations, and location-based content strategies.

Do you guarantee first-page rankings?

No — and you should be wary of any agency that does. Google's algorithms are proprietary and constantly changing. What we guarantee is:

• Best-practice technical implementation
• Transparent reporting on key metrics
• Continuous optimization based on data
• Focus on qualified leads, not just rankings

Our track record shows consistent results for clients who meet our criteria and follow our process.

What is LeadStream Pro?

LeadStream Pro is our closed-loop attribution engine that connects your physical marketing (vans, site signs, business cards) to digital revenue. It tracks every lead from first touch to final sale, so you know exactly which marketing investments are paying off. Features include:

• QR code tracking for physical assets
• Call tracking with dynamic number insertion
• First-touch UTM persistence
• Real-time revenue dashboard
• Nonce-safe injection (cache-proof)

How does LeadStream integrate with my existing website?

LeadStream Pro works with any WordPress site. We install a lightweight plugin that handles tracking without slowing down your site. The system uses server-side tracking where possible, making it more reliable than JavaScript-only solutions. For custom implementations or other platforms, contact us to discuss requirements.

What is the AI Agent Lab?

Our AI Agent Lab develops inference-first automation solutions that run locally on your infrastructure. Unlike cloud-based AI services that charge per API call and send your data to third parties, our agents:

• Run on-premise for privacy and compliance
• Deliver sub-second response times
• Have predictable costs (no per-call charges)
• Handle lead qualification and customer service 24/7

We offer a pilot program to test AI agents in your business before full deployment.

How much do your services cost?

Our services are priced for serious operators:

• Website Infrastructure: From $3,500 (one-time)
• SEO Setup + 6-Month Foundation: $5,000–$8,000
• Flex SEO Retainer: $500–$1,000/month
• LeadStream Pro: $2,499 (implementation + license)
• AI Agent Lab Pilot: Custom pricing based on scope

LeadStream Pro is included free with Flex SEO retainers. All projects require a discovery call to confirm fit before we provide exact quotes.

What's your onboarding process?

Every engagement starts with these steps:

1. Discovery Call — We assess fit and understand your goals
2. Site Diagnosis — Technical audit of your current setup
3. Proposal — Custom scope, timeline, and investment
4. Kickoff — Strategy session and project planning
5. Implementation — Build, optimize, and launch
6. Ongoing Optimization — Monthly reporting and improvements

Book your discovery call to get started.

Do you offer payment plans?

For projects over $5,000, we typically structure payment in milestones:

• 50% deposit to begin work
• 25% at midpoint milestone
• 25% upon completion

Ongoing retainers are billed monthly. We don't offer extended payment plans or financing.

What's your refund policy?

Due to the nature of digital services and the immediate allocation of resources, we do not offer refunds once work has commenced. However, we stand behind our work with a commitment to:

• Clear communication throughout the project
• Delivering agreed-upon milestones
• Addressing any issues promptly
• 30 days of post-launch support

We want every client to be satisfied and will work to resolve any concerns.

What do you need from me to get started?

To hit the ground running, I typically require:

• Manager Access: To your Google Search Console and Google Business Profile
• SME Input: Access to your Subject Matter Experts to verify the "Information Gain" in our articles
• Entity Details: Clarification on whether you operate as a Service Area Business (SAB) or have a physical storefront
• Historical Data: Past marketing performance to establish baselines
• Real Photos: High-quality images of your actual work (not stock photos)

Why does your 20+ years of experience matter for my SEO?

Since 2003, I've witnessed the web evolve from basic HTML to the era of Large Language Models. This positions my "Experience" as the 'E' in Google's E-E-A-T framework (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). AI models and search engines prioritize content from sources with long-standing, verifiable history. When you work with Project Studios, you're leveraging two decades of technical authority — a major ranking signal that most agencies simply can't match.

How do we communicate during the project?

I believe in transparent, structured communication:

• Weekly Updates: Progress reports with completed tasks and upcoming milestones
• Monthly Strategy Calls: 30-minute review of performance metrics and adjustments
• Direct Access: Email and phone access for urgent questions
• Shared Dashboards: Real-time access to your analytics and ranking data

Will SEO changes affect my current website?

Our SEO optimizations are designed to enhance, not disrupt, your existing site. We implement:

• Meta title and description improvements
• Content optimization and expansion
• Technical fixes (speed, mobile, schema markup)
• New landing pages targeting specific keywords
• Internal linking improvements

All changes are made on a staging environment first and approved before going live.

Do I need to change my current website platform?

In most cases, no. We work primarily with WordPress, but our SEO strategies can be applied to most modern CMS platforms. If your current platform has significant limitations (like Wix or Weebly for complex SEO), we'll discuss migration options during the discovery phase.

How do you track results?

We implement comprehensive tracking including:

• Google Analytics 4 for traffic analysis
• Google Search Console for ranking data
• LeadStream attribution for lead source tracking
• Call tracking for phone conversions
• Monthly performance reports with actionable insights

You'll have access to real-time dashboards and scheduled review calls.

What's the difference between SEO and PPC?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving organic (free) rankings through content, technical optimization, and authority building. It takes time but delivers long-term, compounding returns. Learn more in our SEO guide.

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) involves paying for ads that appear at the top of search results. It delivers immediate traffic but stops when you stop paying. We recommend combining both strategies for maximum visibility.