Real Ways to Get More Locksmith Customers

Getting new calls isn’t always easy with so many other locksmiths nearby. These days nearly everyone does a quick Google search for a service, and most people search for local businesses online. In this guide we’ll walk through real-world tactics to boost your visibility and pull in more clients, you’ll hear what usually goes wrong and the tricks that actually work for locksmiths today.

Your Google My Business (GMB) listing is like a mini-website for your locksmith on Google’s map results. It shows up when people search “locksmith near me” or “24/7 locksmith [city]”. Having a complete GMB can rocket you to the top of search results, it’s much easier to rank with a GMB than with just a website.

Fill out your exact business name, local phone number, hours, and a description with your top services (use keywords like emergency locksmith (city) or car lockout but keep it natural). Add high quality photos of your work, shop, van, and take pictures after completing services. Take photos of your van with your logo, your office, even you working on a lock. If you do 24/7 service, make sure that’s clearly listed, as people often search “24-hour locksmith”.

Post updates regularly, too. GMB has a “Posts” feature where you can share a quick tip, a before/after photo, or a special offer. Even a photo of a tricky safe you cracked or a new smart lock install keeps your profile active.

How to get reviews?

Reviews are crucial. After finishing a job, if a customer seems happy, ask on the spot: “Mind giving me a quick Google review?”. GMB reviews convince prospects and give you fast rankings boost with Google.

Locksmiths often sleep on Yelp, but it gets millions of local searches monthly, looking for anything from restaurants to home services. Claim your Yelp business page and verify it; an unclaimed page looks like a ghost listing. Fill in your hours, service areas, and add multiple service entries (Yelp lets you tick off “Home Lockout,” “Rekeying,” “Key Duplication,” etc). Then upload high-quality photos of your team, your branded van, any shop pictures you have.

Once active, stand out by responding to reviews. Future customers (and Yelp’s algorithm) like seeing a business interact, it shows you value customer feedback and can help you outrank inactive competitors. Always thank good reviews and answer negative ones calmly (a short apology and solution go a long way). This makes you look professional and can sometimes turn a complaint into a referral.

Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups are another free way in. You can list service offerings in the Marketplace under the Services category. This isn’t widely used yet by locksmiths, so you’ll often stand out. People frequently post “lost key” or “need locksmith recommendations” threads. Don’t just spam your number, engage by answering questions or sharing a quick tip. Over time this positions you as the neighborhood expert. 

Angi (Angie’s List) and lead marketplaces like LeadsRS or ServiceDirect can be useful. Angi’s List is well known among homeowners, a good rating there signals trust. Listing on directories like “Angi, Thumbtack, or Yelp” is a great way to catch people browsing those sites. Claiming these profiles (and keeping them updated) makes you more discoverable. Homeowners often filter to only see “Angi Certified” or “Top Pro” businesses. If Angi offers a Google Guarantee or screening badge, it can further reassure clients.

Locksmith-specific lead generators like LeadsRS or Service Direct work on a pay-per-lead model: someone queries for a locksmith, and you pay a fee when they call or submit info. They can feed you extra calls, especially during slow periods.

Reach out to nearby businesses that need a locksmith. Realtors and property managers in particular move a lot of locks since they change keys whenever houses sell or new tenants move. Touch base with real estate agents or building managers in your town. Offer them a small referral discount, they're constantly on the lookout for reliable locksmith services to recommend. For example, promise a 10% discount or round-the-clock availability for their clients, and they’ll think of you first.

Car dealerships and local auto repair shops are another option for key programming jobs. Introduce yourself with a business card and a referral discount. Hardware and home improvement stores can also be partners as some locksmiths make a deal to buy keys and locks from a store in exchange for the store recommending them to walk-in customers who need a locksmith.

In short, find non-competing businesses with overlapping clients. Offer them a cut or convenience, and you’ll earn steady referrals instead of constantly hunting random leads.

Trust and word-of-mouth run the locksmith world. Incentivizing your customers to refer you is an excellent way to generate leads. Every satisfied customer is a potential walking billboard. You can run a referral deal like “Give us a friend’s name, and you both get $20 off your next service.” Print that on your invoice and mention it in your automated texts. Train your techs to mention, “By the way, if you refer us, I can knock $20 off next time.”

For repeat clients, set up a loyalty program. For example, property managers or towing companies who call you all the time could get a punch card (“10 lockouts = 1 free rekey”) or a discount after a certain number of jobs. You don’t need fancy software; something as old-school as a stamped card in your van or a unique referral code works. The key is tracking it. This way, those repeat customers feel valued, and you get long-term partnerships.

Your service van can be your billboard. A clean, bold wrap (or at least magnetic signs) with your logo, phone number, and a one-liner like “Locked Out? We’re Just a Call Away” will get eyes in traffic. Make sure the text is large, the colors contrast, and your digits are easy to remember.

Where you park also matters. When you’re not on a job, pull over in a busy spot near a shopping center, outside a sports event, or any high-traffic area.

If someone messages or leaves a query on your site/Facebook, get back within an hour if you can. A quick “Got your request, I’ll call you in 5 minutes!” message will beat your competition.

Keep your social media alive, too. You can upload a short video clip of you programming a car key, people love seeing the work in action. Also, sharing educational content is gold such as safety tips, “Did You Know” lock facts, or simple how-to snippets (like how to grease a sticking lock) position you as the local lock expert. Every time you share valuable info, readers think “Hey, this guy knows his stuff.” Over time that builds trust, and people reach for your name when they need a locksmith.

Paid advertising can give a quick boost. Google Ads (PPC) and Google Local Service Ads can put you on top of search for terms like “emergency locksmith”. The advantage of Local Service Ads is that you only pay per valid lead (call or message), and your business gets priority placement for urgent searches. Once you jump through Google’s verification hoops, you even get the green Google Guaranteed badge, which reassures customers.

However, locksmith keywords are expensive. Always track your cost-per-lead, use call tracking numbers or ask new clients where they found you. If your ads are costing more than the job revenue, dial it back.

Facebook Ads can be a cheaper, more targeted option for non-emergency services. For example, you could run a small campaign offering “Key Duplication – $10” to renters within 10 miles of your shop. Facebook lets you target by location, interests or even home ownership. Use eye-catching images (your van, or a key machine at work) and a clear call-to-action (“Message now to claim this deal!”). Test different messages: one week offer a lock rekey special, the next week promote “Free Security Check with any service.” Keep an eye on the results.

Getting locksmith leads is about visibility and trust. Make sure your business shows up everywhere your customers look such as Google, Yelp, Angi, Facebook and give them reasons to pick you. You don’t need a huge marketing budget to outpace the competition; you need consistency and the right strategy.