April 2025 Round Up
Hi Friend,
Starting this month, I’ll be sending you a quick snapshot at the end of each month—just a friendly roundup from me (Tracy!) with highlights from our Client Insider emails, a few marketing trends we’re keeping an eye on, and how industry shifts might affect your world. No action needed—just keeping you in the loop on what we’re seeing and how we’re staying ahead.
What We're Watching
Several market factors—like material costs, consumer confidence, and potential tariffs—are creating uncertainty around project budgets and timelines. But one thing remains clear: a strong digital presence is still the best defense against market noise.
And the good news? Q1 2025 showed strong momentum in search volume across key service categories. Here's what people are searching for:
📈 Keyword Trends: Q1 2025 vs. Q1 data 2022 - 2024
(Source: Google Ads Keyword Planner)
Lawn Care
These searches continue to grow, both seasonally and year-round:
Lawn aeration: +56% vs. 2024, +144% vs. 2022
Lawn care: +60% vs. 2024, +103% vs. 2022
“Lawn care company near me”: +44% vs. 2024, +126% vs. 2022
Lawn fertilization: +39.7% vs. 2024, +109% vs. 2022
Lawn aeration: +56% vs. 2024, +144% vs. 2022
Landscaping (Commercial + Residential)
Landscape contractors: +89% YoY, +146% vs. 2022
Commercial landscaping: +26% vs. 2024, +132% vs. 2023
Landscape maintenance: +44% YoY compared to 2024
Residential landscaping: Doubled vs. 2024, tripled vs. 2023
Design-Build & Hardscaping
Consumers are shifting from browsing to buying.
Hardscape installation: +246% vs. 2024, +355% vs. 2023
“Hardscape contractors near me”: +94% YoY
Paver walkway installation: Nearly 3x vs. 2022
Retaining wall installation near me: +683% vs. 2022
Pools
Pool companies near me and swimming pool companies near me: up 33% in Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024 (a difference of 40,900 avg monthly searches)
Pool builders near me had about 81,300 average monthly searches in Q1 2025 which was 22% above 2024 and 70% above 2023.
Pool contractors near me had about 103,200 average monthly searches in Q1 2025 which was 35% above 2024, 147% over 2023, and 116% over 2022 Q1 monthly average searches.
Interest in plunge pools dropped in Q1 2025 (82,400 avg monthly searches) by 12% compared to 2024 and down 41% compared to 2023.
Pool builders near me had about 81,300 avg monthly searches in Q1 which is up 22% compared to 2024 and 70% compared to 2023.
On the Decline
Outdoor kitchens: –23% YoY (likely due to DIY traffic, not a red flag)
Paver patio and patio design also saw minor declines
🧠 What This Tells Us
Search volume is rising across all core service areas—residential, commercial, lawn care, landscaping, and design-build—with a strong lean toward hiring professionals.
To put that in perspective:
“Commercial landscaping” hit 23,400 searches/mo in Q1 2025
→ That’s up +24% vs. 2024 and +132% vs. 2023
🔍 From Recent Client Insider Briefings
SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving. Google continues to prioritize high-quality, relevant content, and that’s been our approach from the start. Read the email on this topic more here.
Google Ads Performance Max campaigns can drive strong results using AI automation. But they’re not right for every market or service—we recommend them selectively depending on your business goals. Read more here.
Offering financing or flexible payments is proving to be a powerful sales tool. It’s not just for budget-conscious customers—it can actually help high-end clients say yes faster. Read more here.
If you ever have questions about how your strategy is adapting to these shifts, or if there’s something you want to explore further, I’m always here.
Best,
Tracy Hart
Vice President, Customer Experience & Delivery at Halstead Media Group
