Get Found. Get Clicks. Get Customers
1. Set Up & Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Why it matters: It’s your free listing on Google – your digital storefront.
Claim or create your Google Business Profile at google.com/business
Add accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)
Choose the right categories (e.g., “Bakery,” “Auto Repair Shop”)
Add business hours, website, and services
Upload high-quality photos
Write a compelling business description
Enable messaging (if available)
Ask happy customers to leave reviews regularly
Respond to every review—good or bad
2. Make Sure Your Website is SEO-Friendly
Why it matters: Your website is where customers learn, engage, and take action.
Mobile-friendly (responsive design)
Fast load speed (use PageSpeed Insights)
SSL certificate (secure HTTPS site)
Clear navigation and structure
Include contact info on every page
Have dedicated pages for each service/product
Add a meta title and meta description for each page
Use heading tags (H1, H2, H3) correctly for structure
3. Do Basic Keyword Research
Why it matters: You need to speak your customer’s search language.
Brainstorm services + city (e.g., “plumber in Dorset”)
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner (free with Google Ads account).
- Ubersuggest.
- AnswerThePublic.
Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “emergency plumber open late in Dorset”)
Sprinkle keywords into:
- Page titles
- Headers
- Body text
- Image alt text
- URLs
4. Create Local & Helpful Content
Why it matters: Content shows Google you’re active, relevant, and helpful.
Write blog posts answering FAQs (e.g., “How to fix a leaking tap?”)
Add service area pages (e.g., “Plumbing Services in Wiltshire”)
Create “About” and “Why Choose Us” pages
Share customer stories or case studies
Post updates and events regularly
5. Optimise for Mobile & Voice Search
Why it matters: Over 60% of searches come from mobile—many are voice-activated.
Use conversational keywords (e.g., “Where can I get my tires changed near me?”)
Keep content clear, simple, and direct
Use FAQs to target common voice search phrases
Make phone number clickable on mobile
6. Get Listed in Online Directories
Why it matters: More mentions = more trust with Google.
Submit your business to:
- Yelp
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
- Yellow Pages
- Local Chamber of Commerce
Keep NAP consistent across all platforms
Avoid duplicate listings
Monitor and update listings regularly
7. Build Backlinks (Off-Page SEO)
Why it matters: Backlinks = votes of confidence from other websites.
Ask local blogs or news sites to mention your business
Partner with local influencers or organizations
Write guest posts on industry websites
Join local sponsorships or community events (and get a link!)
8. Get & Manage Reviews
Why it matters: Reviews influence trust and ranking.
Ask for reviews after a job or sale (email/text/follow-up)
Focus on Google reviews first, then Yelp, Facebook, etc.
Respond to every review—thank the good ones, professionally address the bad
Never buy fake reviews—Google will catch it
9. Track Your SEO Progress
Why it matters: What gets measured gets improved.
Set up:
Track:
- Website traffic
- Keyword rankings
- Phone calls and direction requests
- Which pages get the most visits
- How users behave on your site (bounce rate, time on page)
10. SEO Maintenance Checklist (Monthly)
- Update business hours or new promotions
- Add new photos to Google Business
- Write one blog post or update a key page
- Ask for 2–5 reviews from recent customers
- Check and fix any broken links on your website
- Review your analytics and keyword rankings
- Check your listings for consistency
Bonus Tips
- Use schema markup for local businesses to help search engines understand your content better (great for maps and rich results).
- Keep your social media active—it doesn’t directly impact SEO, but it boosts brand presence and links.
- Consider using a tool like Yoast SEO (for WordPress sites) to help guide on-page SEO.
- Use calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Call Now,” “Book Online,” or “Get a Free Estimate” to drive action.
Final Word
SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with the essentials above, and build momentum over time. Remember: Every small tweak you make helps search engines—and customers—understand your business better.
As always, we’re only a click away if you need help with your SEO. Feel free to contact us.