5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Local SEO
If you run a local business, showing up in search results for your area is essential. But you don’t always need a full-time SEO consultant to get results. With a few simple tweaks, you can start improving your local visibility on Google — and bring more customers to your door.
Local SEO focuses on helping your business appear in searches made by people near you. Whether they’re looking for a café, a plumber, or a yoga studio, Google aims to show them results that are nearby and relevant. That means you have a real opportunity to compete with larger companies — especially if your site and online profiles are set up the right way.
Here are 5 simple steps you can take today to boost your local SEO — no expert required:
1. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first thing people see when they search for your business. It powers your listing on Google Maps and in the local ‘3-pack’ of results that appear for area-specific searches.
To get the most from it, make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) match what’s on your website. Add detailed information about your services, opening hours, and service areas. Upload quality photos of your business interior, exterior, and team to make your profile feel more trustworthy and professional.
Don’t forget to regularly update your profile with posts, offers, or business updates — these signals show Google that your business is active and engaged.
2. Get More (and Better) Reviews
Online reviews aren’t just helpful for potential customers — they’re a ranking factor for local search. Businesses with more positive reviews tend to rank higher, especially if those reviews mention relevant keywords or locations.
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews by making it easy: send them a direct link to your Google profile, or include a review request in your follow-up emails. A polite reminder can go a long way.
Always reply to your reviews. Thank your supporters and address concerns in a calm, helpful tone. This not only builds trust but also tells Google that you value your customers and actively manage your business profile.
3. Add Local Keywords to Your Website
Local keywords help search engines understand who you serve and where you’re based. These are search phrases that include both your service and your location — for example, ‘electrician in Shoreham’ or ‘catering company near Brighton Marina’.
Place these keywords naturally throughout your website — in headings, titles, image alt tags, and body content. You can also update your meta descriptions and page URLs to include them. Just be careful not to overdo it — your content should still sound natural to human readers.
Tip: Use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or UberSuggest to find the most common local searches related to your industry.
4. Create Location-Specific Pages or Blog Posts
If your business covers multiple areas, you’ll get better SEO results by creating dedicated pages or blog posts for each location. This helps you rank for people searching in each area you serve — and gives Google more signals about your geographic coverage.
For example, if you offer IT support in Brighton, Worthing, and Hove, create a separate page for each location with relevant details. Include customer testimonials, service info, or projects from that area if you have them.
This local content also gives you the chance to talk about area-specific topics — like local events or partnerships — which adds even more value and relevance for nearby customers.
5. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly
With over half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional. Google also uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily looks at your mobile site when deciding how to rank your pages.
Test your site using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool. Check that text is easy to read, buttons are large enough to tap, and navigation is simple. Make sure pages load fast — slow-loading websites can lead to high bounce rates and lower rankings.
Remember, local customers often search on the go — so your site needs to be ready when they find you!
Start Improving Your Local Rankings Today
These five strategies are simple, actionable, and don’t require a big budget or advanced technical skills. Start with one or two, build momentum, and track your progress over time.
And if you do decide to bring in the experts, Carden Digital’s team is ready to help you take your local SEO to the next level with tailored strategies that match your goals and your budget.
