SEO for Accountants
All ServicesThere’s no point sugar-coating it: the days of relying entirely on word-of-mouth and the odd networking breakfast are over. While referrals are great, they aren’t scalable. Today, when a business owner needs a new accountant—whether for payroll, tax planning, or just to make sense of their books—they go straight to Google.
If your firm doesn’t show up when they search, you aren’t just missing a click; you’re handing a potential long-term client to the firm down the road.
At Platform81, we know accountants aren’t just “bean counters.” You’re business advisors. But being brilliant at what you do doesn’t help if nobody knows you exist. We build SEO strategies that cut through the noise, putting your practice in front of the businesses that actually need your help, right now. No fluff, just results.
Moving Beyond Referrals
Referrals are the lifeblood of any practice, but they are unpredictable. You can’t forecast growth on a “maybe.” SEO changes that dynamic. It turns your website into a reliable lead generation engine that works 24/7.
We focus on capturing high-intent traffic. These aren’t people looking for free advice; these are business owners frustrated with their current provider or startups looking for their first pair of safe hands. We help you build a pipeline of leads that allows you to pick and choose the clients you want to work with, rather than taking whatever comes through the door.
Win Business on Your Doorstep
Accountancy is still a relationship business. Even with cloud accounting, most SMEs prefer an accountant they can actually meet. They search for “Accountants in [Town]” or “Tax advisors near me.”
If you aren’t in the “Map Pack” (the Google Maps listing at the top), you’re invisible to half your market. Our Local SEO strategy makes sure you own your geography. We optimise your Google Business Profile, sort out your citations, and make sure that when local businesses need help, yours is the first name on the screen.
Targeting the "High Value" Work
Ranking for “Accountant” is fine, but it’s broad. Often, the real profit margin lies in the niche services. Maybe you want more R&D Tax Credit work? Or you want to grow your Payroll bureau? Perhaps you specialise in Xero or QuickBooks migration?
We don’t just go for the vanity keywords. We target the specific service areas where you make your money. We build specific landing pages that position you as the expert in those fields, attracting clients who are looking for exactly what you offer and are ready to pay for it.
Trust is Your Currency
In your industry, trust is everything. A potential client is handing over their finances to you; they need to know you’re legitimate. Google feels the same way. It categorises financial websites as “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL), meaning the standards for content quality are incredibly high.
A generic marketing agency might write content that sounds vague or, worse, factually incorrect. We ensure your site signals absolute competence. We showcase your accreditations (ICAEW, ACCA, etc.), optimise your team profiles, and ensure your content demonstrates the expertise that Google—and your clients—demand.
How can Platform81 help?
We speak your language. We know you care about ROI, not vanity metrics. You want to know that for every pound you put in, you’re getting more back in fee income.
At Platform81, we act as your outsourced marketing department. We handle the technical graft, the content strategy, and the local outreach. We don’t hide behind jargon or confusing reports. We focus on the brass tacks: enquiries, booked meetings, and new client sign-ups. You handle the numbers; we’ll handle the noise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does an accountancy firm need SEO?
Because the market has shifted. The modern business owner is digital-first. Even if someone recommends you, the first thing they will do is Google your name. If your website is hard to find or looks outdated compared to the “online-only” firms, you lose the lead. SEO ensures your digital presence matches your professional reputation.
Can we target specific sectors (e.g., Accountants for Dentists)?
Absolutely, and it’s a smart move. Niche SEO is incredibly powerful. If you specialise in contractors, medical professionals, or the construction trade, we can build specific campaigns to target those keywords. It positions you not just as an accountant, but as a specialist who understands their specific problems.
How do we stop getting leads from "tyre kickers"?
This is a common worry. You don’t want hundreds of enquiries from people who just want a £50 tax return. We filter this through keyword intent and content. By targeting phrases like “Business Advisory” or “Corporate Tax Planning” rather than “Cheap Accountant,” and by making your value proposition clear on the site, we attract the quality of client you actually want.
Do I need to write the content? I don't have time.
We know you’re busy, especially around year-end. We operate a hybrid model. Our copywriters research and draft the content to be SEO-friendly, and then send it to you for a quick factual review. It ensures the tax rules are right without you having to stare at a blank screen for hours.
How long until we see a return on investment?
SEO is a long-term asset, like a pension pot. You’ll usually see the “quick wins” from technical fixes within 3-4 months, but the solid, compounding lead generation really kicks in from month 6 onwards. Given the high lifetime value (LTV) of an accountancy client, the ROI on a successful campaign is often substantial.
Does Local SEO work if we are cloud-based (Xero/QuickBooks)?
Yes. Even if you serve clients nationally, you still have a physical base. We start by dominating your local area (the “low hanging fruit”) to build authority. Once your site is strong locally, we expand the strategy to target national keywords for your cloud services.