Question 1

What is the Trade Mirror?

Accepted Answer

The Trade Mirror is a free competitive report built entirely from pulled Google data -- Google Business Profile details, review counts and ratings, photo counts, categories, and local search positioning. It shows you how Google sees your trade business vs. your local competitors. No surveys, no models, no opinions. Just the data Google actually uses to rank and display businesses in your market.

Question 2

What does "pulled vs. modeled" mean?

Accepted Answer

Pulled data comes directly from a live source -- in this case, Google Places API. It is what Google actually has on file for a business right now. Modeled data is an estimate, projection, or opinion generated by an algorithm or analyst. The Trade Mirror uses only pulled data. Every number in the report can be traced back to a live Google record. This distinction is sacred to how we build: if we cannot pull it, we do not put it in the report.

Question 3

Is the Trade Mirror really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You fill out a short intake form, we pull the data, and you get the full report at no cost. No credit card required. The Mirror is designed to show you the reality of your competitive landscape so you can decide what to do about it. If you want ongoing monitoring and the engine behind it, that is a separate paid subscription -- but the initial Mirror report is free, no strings.

Question 4

How is this different from what my agency shows me?

Accepted Answer

Most agency reports mix pulled data with modeled estimates, proprietary scores, and subjective recommendations -- and you cannot tell which is which. The Trade Mirror separates the two completely. Every data point is pulled directly from Google and cited. You see exactly what Google sees, with no interpretation layer. That gives you a factual baseline to evaluate anything your agency (or anyone else) tells you.

Question 5

What types of businesses is this for?

Accepted Answer

The Trade Mirror is built for trade and service businesses -- HVAC, plumbing, electrical, remodeling, roofing, dental practices, legal services, and similar owner-led operations where local Google visibility directly drives revenue. If your customers find you through Google search, Google Maps, or Google Business Profile, the Mirror is relevant to your business.

Question 6

Do I need to be a certain size to use the Trade Mirror?

Accepted Answer

No minimum size. Whether you are a solo operator or running a $10M+ service company, the Mirror shows the same thing: how Google sees you vs. your local competitors. The data does not change based on your revenue. That said, the businesses that get the most value are typically spending money on marketing and wondering why the results are not matching the spend -- the Mirror gives you a factual starting point to answer that question.

Question 7

I am not sure who my real competitors are. Can the Mirror help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Mirror pulls competitors based on what Google considers competitive in your service area and category -- not who you think your competitors are. In many cases, the businesses Google surfaces as your competition are not the ones you expected. That is one of the most valuable insights the report provides.

Question 8

What information do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

The intake form asks for your business name, service area, and primary trade or service category. That is enough for us to pull your Google Business Profile and identify your local competitors. The whole form takes about two minutes.

Question 9

How long does it take to get my Mirror?

Accepted Answer

Most Mirrors are delivered within 24-48 hours of completing the intake form. The data pull itself is fast -- the time is primarily spent on formatting the report and running quality checks to make sure every data point is accurate and properly cited.

Question 10

What do I do with the report once I have it?

Accepted Answer

Use it as a factual baseline. Show it to your agency and ask them to explain the gaps. Compare it against whatever reports they have been giving you. Use it to decide whether your current marketing spend is pointed at the right problems. The Mirror does not tell you what to do -- it shows you the reality so you can make better decisions.

Question 11

What is the engine subscription?

Accepted Answer

After you receive your free Mirror, you have the option to subscribe to the ongoing engine -- a monthly service that keeps your competitive data current, tracks changes in your competitors Google presence, and alerts you to shifts in your local market. The engine subscription is $497 per month. It is not required, and the free Mirror is complete on its own.

Question 12

Can I just take the free Mirror and walk away?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The free Mirror is a complete deliverable. There is no obligation, no follow-up pressure, and no bait-and-switch. If the Mirror is useful on its own, that is a win. If you want ongoing competitive monitoring, the engine is there. Your call.

Frequently asked questions.

What the Trade Mirror is

Who the Trade Mirror is for

How it works

After the Mirror

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