Local SEO Services
All ServicesIt’s easy for businesses to get caught up chasing global domination – but with the right strategy, the biggest wins are often found right on your doorstep. With a helping hand from the local experts at Platform81, Local SEO can put your business on the map—literally.
So, what does going local actually entail – and why is it the smartest move for businesses wanting to dominate their own patch?
Getting on the map
You’ve likely seen that box at the top of Google with a map and three business listings when you search for a plumber or a coffee shop. That’s the “Map Pack,” and quite frankly, it’s prime real estate.
If your business isn’t showing up there, you’re practically invisible to half your potential customers. We work to get your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) polished, verified, and fully optimised. We make sure Google knows exactly who you are, where you are, and what you do, so when someone in your area needs your services, you’re the first name that pops up, not your competitor down the road.
Capturing the 'Near Me'
The way people search has changed. Everyone’s glued to their mobiles, and searches for “restaurants near me” or “electricians in [Town Name]” are through the roof. These aren’t just casual browsers; these are people with their wallets out, ready to buy or book right now.
Local SEO ensures your website is technically set up to catch this high-intent traffic. By signalling your local relevance to search engines, we help you capture customers at the exact moment they need you. It’s about being in the right place at the right time, without the faff of wasted ad spend on people three counties away.
Building trust with locals
There’s nothing more suspicious to a customer (or to Google) than a business with conflicting info online. If your phone number is different on Facebook than it is on Yell, it looks a bit dodgy and confuses the search bots.
We conduct a thorough cleanup of your “citations”—that’s mentions of your business across the web. We ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent everywhere. Plus, we help you manage your online reputation. Positive reviews are the digital version of word-of-mouth; we’ll help you gather them and show off that you’re a proper, trusted local business.
Beating the big names
Here’s the cracking thing about Local SEO: it’s a great leveller. You might not have the budget to outspend a massive national chain on TV ads, but in the local search results, you can absolutely run rings around them.
Google loves local. It wants to serve users the most relevant, nearby result. By tailoring your content and on-site signals to your specific area, we can help you outrank the big generic giants who don’t have that local connection. It’s your home turf, so why let them take the glory?
How can Platform81 help?
Local SEO can be a bit of a minefield if you don’t know your NAP from your GMB. To get it right, you need a team that knows the lay of the land.
At Platform81, we don’t just guess. We build a solid strategy that targets your specific location and ideal customer. We handle the technical nitty-gritty, the citation building, and the profile management so you can focus on running your business. We’ll get your digital shopfront in mint condition, driving footfall and phone calls from the people who matter most—the locals.
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Local SEO FAQ
What exactly is Local SEO, and how is it different from normal SEO?
Think of normal SEO as trying to be famous worldwide, while Local SEO is about being the celebrity of your own town. Standard SEO focuses on ranking for keywords globally or nationally, whereas Local SEO signals to Google that you are located in a specific area and want to be found by people nearby. It’s the difference between ranking for “pizza” (impossible) and “pizza in Stockport” (very doable).
I don’t have a physical shop customers can visit. Do I still need this?
Absolutely. If you’re a plumber, builder, or consultant who goes out to visit clients, you still need to be found. We can set you up as a “Service Area Business.” This tells Google you serve a specific patch without you needing to invite strangers into your living room. It keeps your home address private while still getting you those juicy local leads.
Why is my Google Business Profile so important?
Your Google Business Profile is effectively your new homepage. For many customers, it’s the only thing they’ll look at before calling you. If it’s missing photos, has the wrong opening hours, or no reviews, they’ll swipe left and go to your competitor. We keep it updated, active, and looking sharpish so it converts lookers into bookers.
Can’t I just do my own Local SEO?
You could have a crack at it, but it’s a proper time-sink. You need to make sure your business details are identical across dozens of directories (Yell, Thompson, Bing, etc.). One wrong digit in a phone number can throw a spanner in the works. We use specialist tools to manage this instantly, saving you the headache and ensuring everything is bang on.
How do reviews affect my rankings?
Massively. Google looks at the quantity and quality of your reviews to decide if you’re worth ranking. But it’s not just about the algorithm; 89% of consumers read reviews before buying. If you’ve got a string of 5-star ratings, it does half the selling for you. We can advise on strategies to get more happy customers leaving glowing feedback without being pushy.
How long does it take to see results?
It’s not an overnight fix—anyone promising that is telling porkies. However, Local SEO often moves faster than national SEO because the competition pool is smaller. You might start seeing movement in the Map Pack within a few months. We track everything and keep you in the loop with plain-English reports, so you can see exactly how your local visibility is growing.
My business is in a really competitive city. Can you still help?
Aye, we love a challenge. In busy cities, the competition is fierce, but most businesses are doing the bare minimum. By getting under the bonnet of your site and sorting out the technical details, creating locally relevant content, and building authoritative local links, we can help you carve out your slice of the market.
What happens if I get a bad review?
Don’t panic. Even the best businesses drop the ball sometimes. The worst thing you can do is ignore it or get into a slanging match. We can guide you on how to respond professionally and politely. Often, a well-handled complaint can actually impress potential customers more than a perfect score, as it shows you’re human and you care about fixing problems.
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