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We analyze your website speed, SEO tags, Google reviews, social media presence, and accessibility. Each area gets its own score and letter grade.

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Each category is scored from 0 to 100 based on real data from your site. The overall grade is a weighted average across all five categories.

Yes, the full audit and grade are completely free. You can upgrade to a Pro report with copy-paste fixes for $39 if you want help improving.

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You get a priority action plan, copy-paste ready fixes for every issue, time estimates, and a downloadable PDF. It tells you exactly what to change and how.

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How often should I check my grade?

We recommend running a new audit every month. Your online presence changes as you update your site, get new reviews, and post on social media.

MyBizGrade was built by a small team of developers who wanted to make online presence auditing simple and affordable for small businesses.

Accountant and CPA Online Marketing: Build Trust Before the Meeting

# Accountant and CPA Online Marketing: Build Trust Before the Meeting People do not pick an accountant the way they pick a restaurant. They research. They compare. They look for signals of competence, reliability, and trustworthiness. By the time a potential client contacts your firm, they have already formed an opinion based entirely on what they found online. Accountant online marketing is about building trust before the first conversation. Your Google profile, reviews, website, and content do the selling. The consultation confirms what the client already believes: you are the right choice. This guide covers how accounting firms and CPAs build an online presence that attracts clients and converts them before they pick up the phone. ## Why Trust Matters More for Financial Services Clients share their most sensitive information with their accountant: income, debts, business finances, tax situations. This creates a higher trust threshold than most other industries. **What potential clients evaluate:** - Credentials and experience - Reviews from other clients in similar situations - Professional appearance and communication - Evidence of expertise in their specific need - Responsiveness and accessibility Your online presence needs to deliver on all five. A bare-bones Google profile with two reviews and a website from 2015 does not inspire confidence from someone about to hand over their tax documents. ## Google Business Profile for Accountants When someone searches "CPA near me" or "accountant [city]," your Google Business Profile determines whether you appear in the map pack and how you compare to nearby firms. **Profile setup:** - Primary category: "Accountant" or "CPA" or "Tax Preparation Service" - Secondary categories: "Bookkeeping Service," "Financial Planner," "Business Consulting Service" based on your offerings - All services listed: tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, business formation, financial planning, audit support, IRS representation - Hours, phone number, website, and appointment link - Service area or office location **Optimize for professional trust:** - **Professional headshot as your primary photo.** For solo practitioners, your face is your brand. - **Office photos showing a professional environment.** Clean, organized, modern. Clients want to see where they will meet you. - **Team photos for multi-person firms.** Show the people behind the firm name. - **Certifications and credentials in your description.** CPA, EA (Enrolled Agent), CMA, QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Mention them prominently. **Post on Google regularly.** Tax deadline reminders, financial tips, firm news, and seasonal content ("5 deductions small business owners miss"). Active profiles rank higher and demonstrate ongoing expertise. ## Reviews: Proof of Client Satisfaction Accountant reviews work differently than restaurant or salon reviews. Clients rarely describe the technical quality of your work (they do not know if your tax strategy was optimal). Instead, they review the experience: communication, responsiveness, clarity of explanation, and the feeling of being in good hands. **What strong accountant reviews look like:** - "Sarah explained everything in plain language. I understood my tax situation for the first time." - "They found deductions I had been missing for years. Saved me thousands." - "Responsive, professional, and thorough. I never worry about my finances." - "Made my first business tax filing stress-free." These reviews build trust with potential clients who have similar needs. **How to get reviews in a sensitive industry:** Asking for reviews in financial services requires a lighter touch than asking for restaurant reviews. Many clients are private about their financial situation. - After tax season, send a personal email: "It was a pleasure working with you this year. If you are comfortable, a Google review helps other business owners [or individuals] find us: [link]. No pressure at all." - After resolving a complex issue (IRS notice, business setup, audit support), the relief clients feel creates a natural moment to ask. - Include a review link in your post-engagement satisfaction survey. - Add a gentle reminder on your email signature: "Happy with our service? Leave a review: [link]" **Never pressure clients for reviews.** In financial services, pushiness damages the relationship. A soft ask with an easy link is the right approach. **Respond to every review professionally.** Keep responses warm but appropriate. "Thank you for your kind words, Michael. It is a privilege to help with your business finances. Looking forward to working together in the coming year." Avoid mentioning specific financial details in public responses. [Check how your accounting firm looks online. Get a free grade at GradeMyBiz](https://grademybiz.vercel.app). ## Your Accounting Firm Website Your website is the second most important touchpoint after Google. Potential clients visit to evaluate your firm's professionalism, services, and expertise before reaching out. **Essential pages:** - **Homepage:** Clear statement of who you serve and how. "Tax preparation, bookkeeping, and financial planning for small businesses in [City]" is better than "Welcome to [Firm Name]." Include a consultation booking button. - **Services page:** Each service with a detailed description of what is included, who it is for, and the outcome. Break services into categories: individual tax, business tax, bookkeeping, payroll, advisory. - **About/Team page:** Credentials, years of experience, professional photos, areas of specialty, and something personal. Clients hire people, not firms. - **Industries served:** If you specialize in specific industries (restaurants, medical practices, real estate), create dedicated pages. "Accounting for Restaurant Owners" attracts a specific client who wants an accountant who understands their business. - **Resources or blog:** Helpful content (covered below) positions you as an expert and drives organic search traffic. - **Contact page:** Phone, email, office address, hours, and a consultation request form. **Design for professionalism and trust:** - Clean, modern design with professional colors (navy, charcoal, forest green, white) - No cluttered layouts, flashing elements, or outdated templates - Mobile-friendly and fast-loading - HTTPS security certificate (essential for a firm handling financial data) - Client portal login link (if applicable) **Display credentials prominently.** CPA license, professional memberships (AICPA, state CPA society), QuickBooks/Xero certifications, and any specializations. These visual trust signals register immediately. ## Content Strategy: Demonstrate Expertise Accounting is a knowledge-based profession. Content marketing lets you demonstrate expertise before the client meeting. **Content topics that attract clients:** - Tax tips and deadline reminders ("Small Business Tax Deadlines for 2026") - Deduction guides ("Home Office Deductions: What Qualifies and What Does Not") - Business formation comparisons ("LLC vs. S-Corp: Which Saves You More on Taxes") - Industry-specific financial guides ("Financial Tips for Freelancers") - Regulatory updates ("New Tax Law Changes Affecting Small Businesses in 2026") - Seasonal content ("Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for Business Owners") **Why this content works for accountants:** People searching "LLC vs S-Corp" or "home office deduction rules" are potential clients. They have a financial question, and your content provides the answer. At the bottom of the article, they see your firm is local and offers the exact service they need. The content pre-sells your expertise. **Publish 2-4 articles per month.** Quality over quantity. One thorough, accurate article about S-Corp election deadlines outperforms ten shallow posts. **Keep content updated.** Tax laws change. Financial regulations change. Outdated content damages credibility for a profession built on accuracy. Review and update articles annually. ## LinkedIn: The Professional Network For accountants, LinkedIn is more valuable than Instagram, Facebook, or any other social platform. Your clients and referral sources are on LinkedIn. **Optimize your personal LinkedIn profile:** - Professional headshot - Headline: "CPA Helping Small Businesses Save on Taxes | [City]" is better than "Partner at [Firm Name]" - Summary highlighting your expertise and who you serve - Featured posts or articles showcasing your knowledge **Post consistently on LinkedIn.** 2-3 times per week. Share: - Tax tips and financial insights - Industry observations and trends - Client success stories (anonymized) - Your blog content - Commentary on financial news affecting your target clients **Engage with your network.** Comment on posts from business owners, attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals who refer clients to accountants. Building visibility in your network generates referrals. **LinkedIn company page for your firm.** Keep it active with firm news, team updates, and shared content from the blog. ## Professional Directories Potential clients search for accountants on professional directories. Your profiles on these platforms extend your reach. **Claim and complete profiles on:** - Google Business Profile - LinkedIn (personal and company) - AICPA directory - Your state CPA society directory - Yelp - BBB - QuickBooks ProAdvisor directory (if certified) - Xero advisor directory (if certified) - Clutch.co (for B2B services) - Facebook Business Page - Nextdoor Business Keep your firm name, address, phone number, and website consistent across every directory. Inconsistencies weaken your local search presence. ## Email Marketing: Stay Top of Mind Accounting clients need you seasonally (tax time) and periodically (business milestones, regulatory changes). Email marketing keeps your firm visible between engagements. **Monthly newsletter:** 1-2 financial tips, an upcoming deadline reminder, and a firm update. Keep it concise and valuable. Nobody reads a 2,000-word email from their accountant. **Seasonal campaigns:** - January: Year-end tax document checklist - March: Tax filing tips and deadline reminders - September: Q3 estimated tax reminders and year-end planning - December: Year-end financial moves before December 31 **Automated sequences for new clients:** Welcome email, what to expect, document checklist, and referral request after the first engagement. ## Referral Partnerships Many accounting clients come through referrals from attorneys, financial advisors, bankers, and business consultants. Nurture these relationships online and offline. **Cross-promote with complementary professionals.** Guest post on a business attorney's blog. Co-host a webinar with a financial advisor. Share each other's content on LinkedIn. **Make it easy for referral partners to recommend you.** Give them a link to your website, a brief description of your ideal client, and a direct contact method. ## Your Accountant Online Marketing Checklist - Google Business Profile complete with credentials and services - Professional photos on Google (headshots, office, team) - Regular Google Posts (tax tips, deadlines, firm news) - Review request system (post-engagement emails, signature links) - Respond to all reviews professionally - Professional, mobile-friendly website with consultation booking - Service pages with clear descriptions - Industry-specific pages (if you specialize) - Blog with 2-4 helpful articles per month - LinkedIn profile optimized and active (2-3 posts per week) - Listed on professional directories with consistent NAP - Monthly email newsletter with tips and deadline reminders - Referral partnerships with complementary professionals - Content reviewed and updated annually for accuracy ## For more on this topic, read [Website Accessibility for Small Business: What You Need to Know](/blog/website-accessibility-small-business). For more on this topic, read [Business Directory Listings: Which Ones Actually Matter](/blog/business-directory-listings-matter).Grade Your Accounting Firm Your online presence is either building trust or losing clients to firms who invest in theirs. [GradeMyBiz](https://grademybiz.vercel.app) gives you a free, instant grade on your entire online presence. Google profile, reviews, website, listings, and more. [Get your free grade →](https://grademybiz.vercel.app)