About The Sterling Sky Dream Team
Sterling Sky Inc was founded in 2017 by Joy Hawkins. Joy has been working in the SEO industry since 2006, and is considered a leader within the SEO community. The company has since grown to a team of over 35 employees, who own a wide range of skills: from GBP optimization, to technical SEO, to content writing, to link building, to website development – they basically do it all!

Some of Our Recent Work:
- Joy, Colan, Yan & Elizabeth are Google My Business Product Experts
- Joy & Erin are columnists on Search Engine Land
- Joy & Erin are speakers at Pubcon
- Joy, Colan & Noah are writers for Moz
- Joy is a speaker at State of Search and SMX
- Joy & Colan, Carrie are wordsmiths over at BrightLocal
- Elizabeth was named a 2023 Rising Star of Local SEO
- Carrie is the co-host of Last Week in Local
- Yan is the original founder and creator of LocalFalcon
- We have 9 faculty members & speakers at LocalU
- We are the owners and operators of the Local Search Forum
- We have 8 employees who contribute to Whitespark’s Local Search Ranking Factors
- Joy was a Moz Local Search Ranking Factors Contributor
- Moz has listed Sterling Sky as a recommended SEO company to work with
- Sterling Sky’s blog was named one of the Most Popular Local Search Blogs
Our Team
Our Values
We Excel

In this fast-paced industry, we work hard to make sure we are at the forefront when it comes to comprehending any and all changes that will affect how your business is found online. With a commitment to providing the best knowledge and expertise in the industry, Sterling Sky has built a reputation of quality work produced at the highest standard. We are proud to be the only company currently to employ multiple Google My Business Product Experts.
We Honor

At Sterling Sky, we know the importance of being able to put your company in the hands of another, and believing without a doubt that you will see positive outcomes. Respect and trust are key to having a successful working relationship with any company, and we pride ourselves on being one of the most trusted local search companies out there. We strive to always choose credible and ethical strategies to see your company succeed online and have a mission to honor God in all we do.
We Share

We believe in the power of community at Sterling Sky. We are committed to helping others within the local SEO community thrive, and choose to share our knowledge and expertise in a number of practical ways, such as the Local Search Forum, speaking engagements, one-on-one consultations, and our Expert’s Guide to Local SEO.
We Give

At Sterling Sky we feel how deeply important it is to offer support to those that are in need, both locally and globally. We are invested in giving back to society through numerous charitable efforts, including participating in the annual Ride For Refuge fundraising event, and supporting the Christian missions work of those helping human trafficking victims in Toronto, and Africa Arise, a SIM funded program that helps former child soldiers and victims of the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda.
Client Testimonials
Read about the experiences our clients have had with Sterling Sky.
I have to say, your help in the Denver area has paid off CONSIDERABLY! 931 website visits and 370…read more →
I was referred to Sterling Sky by Marie Haynes and I have had fantastic experience! They have helped me…read more →
Joy Hawkins is one of the most knowledgeable local search practitioners in the industry. She understands how to research,…read more →
In the past 10 years we've worked with many SEO companies to improve our web presence, organic positioning, and…read more →
How to Know You’ve Found the Best Local SEO Company for You?
When searching for a Local SEO company it’s hard to know what one to choose. There are so many companies in the search results that it’s hard to know what one will be the best fit for your business.
This guide will help you find the best Local SEO company for your business.
What You’ll Need:
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Computer or Smartphone
Tools: Google Search
Cost: Free!
5 Easy Steps to Finding the Best Local SEO Company For You
1: Google Product Experts
Are any members of their team a Google Product Expert? Google designated the title “Product Experts” to Google users who help with questions and troubleshooting on the Google My Business Community Forum. Meet the Google My Business Product Experts!
2: LocalU Faculty
Do they have any LocalU faculty on staff? Local University brings together some of the top minds in the local search space and teaches agencies and local businesses by hosting conferences and webinars. Meet the LocalU Faculty!
3: Local Search Forum Owner
Are they active or an admin on any help forums? The Local Search Forum is a forum for search professionals, consultants, and business owners to learn about what’s going on in the Local SEO community. It’s also a place to help troubleshoot problems and help out other businesses. Learn more about the Local Search Forum!
4: Search Engine Land Columnist
Are they a columnist on any highly regarded Local SEO journals or websites? Read some Local SEO articles on Search Engine Land and Moz!
5: Moz Local Search Ranking Factor Study Contributor
Do they contribute to Moz’ Local Search Ranking Factor Study? Every few years Moz surveys top industry experts on what they believe to be the top ranking factors in Local Search.