Local SEO Basics: Getting Found by Customers Near You
Local SEO doesn't require technical expertise or an ongoing agency contract. For most small businesses, a handful of basics cover most of the benefit.
1. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile
This is the single highest-impact step. Fill in every field — hours, services, photos, service area — and keep it accurate as things change.
2. Keep your name, address and phone number consistent
Wherever your business is listed — your website, your Google Business Profile, social media, directories — use exactly the same name, address and phone number. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and make you look less credible.
3. Mention your area, naturally
If you serve Glasgow, or a specific set of towns, say so in your own words on your website — not stuffed in repeatedly, just naturally, the way you'd describe it to a customer.
4. Get genuine reviews over time
Reviews build trust with both customers and search engines. There's no shortcut here — ask happy customers, and don't be tempted to fake or buy them.
5. Make sure your site is fast and mobile-friendly
Search engines factor in page speed and mobile usability. A slow, hard-to-use site works against you twice over — once with visitors, once with search rankings.
6. Get the basic on-page details right
Each page should have a clear title and description, and headings that describe what's actually on the page. This is a small, one-off task, not ongoing work.
Every website we build includes the basics
Page titles, meta descriptions and proper headings, set up from day one.