Brian Weston


Smart SEO

The Top Five Ways To Take Advantage Of The AI Tools Explosion

Posted by Brian Weston on

Embracing the AI Revolution

Artificial Intelligence has surged to the forefront of digital innovation, shaking up industries left, right, and centre. As a webmaster or content creator, staying ahead of the curve is essential, and in 2025, AI tools have become indispensable for optimising workflows, enhancing content quality, and boosting productivity. From automated content writing to generating stunning visuals and SEO insights, AI offers capabilities that were once unimaginable.

But, as with any new technology, there’s a fine line between innovation and overdependence. AI tools are not without their challenges—especially when it comes to maintaining creativity and originality. In this article, I’ll highlight the five most transformative AI tools for webmasters and content creators today. I’ll explore how each one can enhance your work and discuss the potential pitfalls, ensuring you make the most of AI while avoiding overreliance.


The AI Landscape in 2025

The Rapid Evolution of AI

AI has come a long way since the early days of chatbots and rule-based systems. The landscape today is dominated by powerful tools that can generate text, create visuals, and analyse data—all with impressive sophistication. In 2025, we’re seeing AI applications in nearly every corner of digital work, making it possible for content creators to produce high-quality material more efficiently.

A few years ago, AI was mainly used for automation, but today’s tools are creative, intuitive, and capable of handling a range of tasks that were once the domain of highly skilled professionals. This explosion in AI technology has made it accessible to all types of creators, from bloggers and marketers to designers and video producers. But with all this power, it’s important to understand which tools are worth your time and investment.

Why AI Is a Game Changer for Content Creators and Webmasters

Webmasters and content creators are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and stay competitive. AI tools can assist with everything from content writing to optimising SEO and generating visuals. With AI’s growing capabilities, the barrier to producing high-quality work is lower than ever. These tools not only save time, but they can also enhance creativity and remove mundane tasks from your to-do list, freeing you up to focus on the bigger picture.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore the five AI tools that have had the most significant impact on content creators and webmasters.


Tool #1 – Large Language Models (LLMs): Revolutionising Content Creation

Overview of Popular LLMs in 2025

Large Language Models like GPT-4 and the newer GPT-5 (or beyond) are undoubtedly some of the most powerful AI tools in existence. These models use vast datasets and deep learning to generate human-like text, making them indispensable for anyone involved in content creation. Whether you need blog posts, social media updates, or product descriptions, LLMs can produce high-quality, relevant content at the speed of light.

LLMs are also highly versatile. With minimal input, they can assist with everything from drafting initial content to brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, and even refining your final piece. What sets them apart is their ability to understand context, tone, and style, which is a game changer for content creators who want to maintain consistency across multiple platforms.

Pros of LLMs for Webmasters and Content Creators

The benefits of LLMs are numerous. For one, they dramatically increase productivity. Instead of spending hours crafting content, LLMs can generate drafts in minutes. They’re also incredibly flexible. Need a formal article or a casual blog post? Just adjust the tone, and the model will adapt. Plus, they’re excellent at keyword optimisation, a vital asset for webmasters looking to improve their SEO rankings.

The ability to quickly generate content also helps with meeting tight deadlines and increasing content output, especially for businesses looking to scale their digital presence rapidly.

Cons and Risks of Relying on LLMs

While LLMs are impressive, they come with their own set of challenges. First, the content they generate may lack a personal touch or human nuance, which can lead to robotic-sounding prose. Overreliance on AI-generated content could result in a lack of originality, making your output blend in with the masses. There’s also the risk of factual inaccuracies, as AI doesn’t always distinguish between credible and unreliable sources.

Another issue is the potential for AI-generated content to be too focused on search engine algorithms rather than user engagement. It’s crucial to remember that AI tools should supplement, not replace, your creative input.


Tool #2 – Image Generators: Visuals at Your Fingertips

The Rise of AI Image Tools

AI-powered image generators such as DALL·E 3, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion have completely reshaped how visuals are created. These tools enable users to generate high-quality, unique images based solely on text prompts. The results are often stunning, and the process is simple—no graphic design skills required.

For webmasters and content creators, these AI tools offer a cost-effective alternative to hiring graphic designers or purchasing stock images. Whether you need eye-catching blog post headers, custom illustrations for social media, or unique website graphics, AI image tools have you covered.

Pros of Image Generators for Content Creators

AI image tools are quick and highly adaptable. You can generate as many images as you need, tailored to specific themes or branding, without paying for expensive design services. For content creators, this is a massive time-saver and budget-friendly solution. Plus, you have complete creative control over the images you generate, ensuring that they align perfectly with your vision.

For webmasters, these tools also provide the flexibility to create custom visuals that resonate with your target audience, enhancing user engagement and reinforcing your brand’s identity.

Cons and Risks of Overusing AI-Generated Images

While AI-generated images are impressive, there are some drawbacks. Overusing these tools may result in visuals that lack true creativity and originality. Since many users rely on similar prompts to generate images, your visuals could look similar to countless others across the web. This can lead to a lack of differentiation in your brand or content.

Additionally, there are concerns around copyright. The legalities of using AI-generated content are still being ironed out, and it’s essential to ensure you’re not inadvertently infringing on intellectual property rights.


Tool #3 – Video Creation Tools: AI-Powered Video Production

The Future of Video Content Creation with AI

Video has become a central part of digital content, and AI video creation tools like Pictory, Synthesia, and Runway ML are making it easier than ever to create professional-looking videos without the need for expensive equipment or technical expertise. These tools can generate videos from scratch, including scriptwriting, voiceovers, and editing—all powered by AI.

For content creators, this means you can now create high-quality video content on your own, without relying on a film crew. Whether it’s for YouTube, social media, or promotional content, AI video tools are changing the game.

Pros of AI Video Tools for Content Creators

The most obvious benefit of AI video tools is the time and money saved. Producing a video traditionally requires multiple stages of planning, filming, and editing. With AI, much of this work can be automated, allowing for quicker turnarounds and more content. These tools are also user-friendly, making video creation accessible to people with little to no technical expertise.

AI video tools also allow creators to scale their video production efforts, enabling consistent content output at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

Cons and Risks of AI Video Tools

Despite their many benefits, AI-generated videos can sometimes lack the emotional depth and authenticity that human-produced content offers. AI struggles with conveying nuanced human expressions and can often produce generic results. For complex, emotionally-driven content, you might find that human touch is irreplaceable.

Over-reliance on AI video tools might also lead to cookie-cutter videos that feel formulaic and lack the creative spark that makes videos truly stand out.


Tool #4 – AI SEO Tools: Optimising Your Digital Presence

How AI is Transforming SEO

AI-powered SEO tools like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, and Frase have completely changed how webmasters approach search engine optimisation. These tools help users optimise their content based on real-time analysis of search trends, keyword competition, and search intent. They also make it easier to identify content gaps and provide actionable insights for improving rankings.

SEO is no longer about keyword stuffing and manual analysis. With AI, you can now optimise your content with precision, giving you an edge in the competitive world of search engine rankings.

Pros of AI SEO Tools for Webmasters

AI SEO tools are incredibly powerful when it comes to saving time. Instead of spending hours analysing data, these tools do the heavy lifting for you, providing recommendations based on the latest trends and search algorithms. They also enable webmasters to create content that is highly targeted and optimised for both search engines and users, improving your chances of ranking higher.

For content creators, AI SEO tools ensure that your content is always aligned with what people are searching for, which can drive more organic traffic to your website.

Cons and Risks of Overoptimising with AI

There is a risk of becoming too reliant on AI-driven SEO strategies. Overoptimising your content can sometimes make it feel unnatural and too focused on algorithms rather than user intent. AI tools may also overlook the nuances of user engagement and fail to prioritise quality content over technical perfection.


Tool #5 – AI Chatbots: Enhancing User Engagement

The Role of AI Chatbots in Content Strategy

AI chatbots have become a common tool for engaging with website visitors, answering questions, and providing support. These bots are powered by sophisticated AI models and can handle everything from basic FAQs to more complex customer interactions. For content creators, chatbots provide an easy way to engage with readers, customers, and followers in real-time, without the need for constant human supervision.

Pros of AI Chatbots for Content Creators

AI chatbots allow for 24/7 interaction with your audience, enhancing the user experience. They can handle customer service inquiries, provide product recommendations, and gather valuable user data—all automatically. This increases engagement, saves time, and boosts satisfaction without requiring additional staff.

Cons and Risks of Relying on AI Chatbots

While chatbots are efficient, they lack the empathy and personal touch that human interaction provides. For more complex or sensitive issues, a chatbot might not be sufficient. There’s also the risk of users feeling frustrated if the chatbot fails to understand their query, which could damage your brand’s reputation.


The Dark Side of AI: Avoiding Overdependence

The Danger of AI Becoming a Crutch

AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool, but it should complement your skills rather than replace them. Overreliance on AI can result in generic content, reduced creativity, and a lack of personal connection with your audience. It’s essential to strike a balance between using AI to streamline processes and maintaining the human element in your work.

How to Strike a Balance with AI Tools

To get the most out of AI, integrate these tools into your workflow in a way that enhances your capabilities without overshadowing your creativity. Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, but leave room for personal input and original ideas. Finding this balance will ensure that AI works for you—not the other way around.


Conclusion: Maximising the AI Tools Explosion Responsibly

AI tools are here to stay, and for good reason. They offer tremendous benefits for webmasters and content creators, from boosting productivity to enhancing creativity. But, like any tool, they need to be used wisely. By leveraging the right AI tools and maintaining a balance with human ingenuity, you can unlock their full potential without sacrificing originality or quality.

Use AI tools to your advantage, but don’t forget the importance of the human touch in the digital world. It’s this balance that will ensure your content stands out and resonates with your audience.

Smart SEO

Does Longer Content Really Rank Better?

Posted by Brian Weston on

The Myth of the 2,000-Word Magic Number

At some point in the last decade, a rumour started doing the rounds in SEO circles: if your blog post was under 2,000 words, you might as well not bother. Longer content, they said, ranked better. Period. So, off we went, keyboards clacking, stuffing blog posts with every known synonym for “how to boil an egg.”

That belief wasn’t entirely unfounded. Backlinko, for instance, published a well-known study that found the average word count of top-ranking content on Google hovered around 1,890 words. That number took off like a meme in a family WhatsApp group. Other studies joined the parade. SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz threw in stats, and next thing you know, everyone was trying to write the next War and Peace on “how to descale your kettle.”

But there’s a catch. Those studies showed correlation, not causation. Yes, top-ranking content was long. But not because it was long. It was also in-depth, useful, well-structured, and comprehensive. The length was more a side-effect than a magic spell.

What Google Actually Says About Content Length

Google’s official position on content length has always been frustratingly vague. When asked, they usually respond with something like, “There is no minimum or recommended word count.” Which is about as helpful as a chocolate teapot.

John Mueller, one of Google’s more outspoken Search Advocates, has said on multiple occasions that word count is not a ranking factor. Relevance is. Helpfulness is. Whether your content meets the needs of the searcher—that’s what counts.

So, what’s the difference between depth and length? Length is how many words you write. Depth is how thoroughly you answer the question. You could write 3,000 words about how to clean a mirror, but if your advice boils down to “use a cloth and some vinegar,” you’ve just wasted everyone’s time.

Search intent matters more than your word count. If the user just wants a yes-or-no answer, giving them a four-page essay won’t win you any SEO medals.

When Longer Content Works Wonders

That said, long content can work. In fact, in the right circumstances, it works brilliantly. Think about ultimate guides, technical walk-throughs, case studies, or deeply researched opinion pieces. These formats are supposed to be long. They signal authority. They give readers everything they need in one place, like a digital Swiss army knife.

Sites like HubSpot, Neil Patel, and Ahrefs have turned skyscraper content into an art form. They don’t just write long for the sake of it—they structure it well, break it up with headers, visuals, tables of contents, and give people reasons to stick around.

Google notices that. Long content that keeps people on the page, gets shared, attracts backlinks, and answers related questions in a single go? That ticks a lot of boxes in the search algorithm’s brain.

But it only works if the writing is engaging and useful. Droning on for 2,000 words without a point is like forcing someone to sit through your holiday slideshow without snacks.

When Shorter Content Steals the Show

On the flip side, short content can absolutely dominate the rankings—if it matches intent.

Let’s say someone Googles “What’s the capital of Peru?” The correct answer is “Lima,” not a 1,500-word breakdown of Peru’s history, political structure, and football team. If you waffle, you’re out.

Google’s algorithm is obsessed with satisfying user intent fast, especially on mobile. That’s why featured snippets and answer boxes exist. If your content answers the question clearly, concisely, and early, you’re more likely to be picked up for those juicy top-of-page snippets.

Short content also works brilliantly for FAQs, local service pages, product descriptions, and how-tos where brevity is appreciated. Some people just want to know how to descale their kettle and get on with their day. You don’t need a five-chapter thesis for that.

So, What’s the Sweet Spot?

Here’s the short answer: there is no magic number. There’s only the right length for the right topic and intent.

If you’re writing a how-to guide, maybe 800 to 1,200 words is the sweet spot. For an in-depth comparison of five CRM platforms, 2,000 words might be perfectly reasonable. For a local business landing page? Keep it focused and punchy.

Instead of aiming for a specific count, ask yourself:

  • What does the reader want to know?
  • What questions might they have next?
  • Can I answer all that clearly and simply?

Tools like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, or Frase can help you gauge what your competitors are doing, spot content gaps, and make sure you’re not missing the mark.

But don’t write just to fill space. Write to solve problems. Write to be useful. And stop when you’re done.

Final Word: It’s Not About the Word Count

At the end of the day, Google’s not your word count teacher. It’s not scanning your content with a red pen and sighing at your paragraph lengths. It’s trying to figure out if your page gives searchers what they came for.

So if you’re writing a blog post and thinking, “Should I add another 500 words?” ask yourself: will those words add value? Or are you just padding like it’s a GCSE history essay?

Useful content wins. That might mean 300 words. It might mean 3,000. But don’t fall for the myth that longer is always better. Google isn’t counting your words—it’s counting your answers.

And no one ever bookmarked a blog post because it was just long enough.

Smart SEO

Local SEO: Becoming the Big Fish in Your Tiny Online Pond

Posted by Brian Weston on

Step Up Your Local SEO Game

Big brands might dominate the global market, but when it comes to local searches, small businesses have the advantage. People aren’t looking for a generic “coffee shop”—they’re searching for “best coffee shop in Brighton” or “artisanal bakery near me.” That’s where local SEO comes in. It’s not about competing with industry giants; it’s about being the best in your area. Many businesses overlook this powerful tool, assuming SEO is all about broad keywords and global rankings. The reality? Local SEO can be the difference between an empty shop and a thriving one.

If your competitors are getting more local traffic than you, it’s not because they have a better business—it’s because they have a better local SEO strategy. This guide walks you through the essentials of becoming the biggest fish in your tiny online pond and making sure your business appears exactly where customers are looking.

What Is Local SEO and Why Does It Matter?

Understanding Local SEO

Local SEO is the practice of optimising your online presence to attract local customers. Search engines like Google use location-based data to display results tailored to a user’s geographical area. Whether it’s a plumber, a hair salon, or a restaurant, businesses that rely on foot traffic or local clients need to rank high in these searches. Unlike general SEO, which focuses on global rankings, local SEO ensures that customers in your area find you first.

The Impact of Local Searches

Did you know that 46% of all Google searches have local intent? More importantly, 76% of people who search for a nearby business visit it within a day, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase. If your business isn’t optimised for local search, you’re missing out on customers actively looking for what you offer. Even if you have an outstanding product or service, poor local visibility can drive potential clients straight to your competitors.

Who Needs Local SEO?

If your business serves a specific area, local SEO should be a priority. This includes restaurants, medical practices, retail shops, service-based businesses like plumbers or electricians, law firms, and real estate agents. If location matters to your customers, local SEO matters to you. Even online businesses with a physical presence can benefit from local SEO by targeting nearby customers and increasing walk-in traffic.

Google My Business: Your Local SEO Powerhouse

Setting Up a Google Business Profile (GBP)

Google My Business (now Google Business Profile) is your strongest local SEO tool. It’s free, easy to set up, and critical for local visibility. Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and match the details on your website. Choose the right categories and add a compelling description with relevant keywords to help Google understand what your business offers.

How to Rank Higher on Google Maps

Want to appear in the top three Google Maps results? Keep your GBP updated. Add high-quality photos, respond to reviews, update your hours, and use Google Posts to share updates. The more active and complete your profile, the better your ranking. Customers often choose businesses that look professional and well-maintained online, so take advantage of every feature GBP offers.

Leveraging Google Posts for Engagement

Google Posts allows you to share offers, events, and updates directly on your profile. Regular posts signal to Google that your business is active, increasing your chances of ranking higher. Post updates about new services, upcoming promotions, or community involvement to keep customers engaged and informed.

Local Keywords: The Secret to Ranking Where It Matters

Why Local Keywords Are Different

Generic keywords like “pizza restaurant” might get millions of searches, but they won’t help a small pizzeria in Manchester. Instead, you need hyper-local keywords like “best Neapolitan pizza in Manchester” to target your audience. Local keywords help you attract customers who are specifically looking for businesses like yours in your area.

How to Find the Right Keywords

Use Google’s Keyword Planner, Google Autocomplete, and tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Look at the search terms your competitors are ranking for and identify opportunities. Pay attention to how people phrase their searches—many local searches include terms like “near me,” “best,” or “open now.”

Where to Place Local Keywords

Sprinkle local keywords naturally in your website content, GBP description, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt text. Also, use them in blog posts that target local events or issues. Create location-specific landing pages for different areas you serve to increase your reach.

The Role of Online Reviews in Local SEO Success

How Reviews Influence Rankings

Google prioritises businesses with frequent, positive reviews. Reviews build trust and signal credibility to both search engines and potential customers. Businesses with more reviews tend to rank higher in local search results and attract more clicks.

Getting More Positive Reviews (Without Being Spammy)

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by making it easy—send follow-up emails, use QR codes, or ask them in person. Never buy or fake reviews, as Google penalises dishonest tactics. Offer incentives like discounts or freebies for leaving honest feedback.

Handling Negative Reviews Like a Pro

Bad reviews happen. Respond professionally, address concerns, and show that you care about customer satisfaction. This not only helps reputation management but also signals engagement to Google. A well-handled negative review can even turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one.

Local Citations and Listings: Consistency Is Key

What Are Citations and Why Do They Matter?

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web. They help search engines verify your legitimacy and boost your local rankings. Inconsistent citations can confuse search engines and hurt your credibility.

Where to List Your Business

Submit your business to directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Bing Places, and industry-specific platforms. Make sure the details match your GBP exactly. Even a small discrepancy can impact your rankings.

How to Maintain Accuracy Across Listings

Regularly audit your listings to ensure all details remain correct. Use tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal to monitor and update citations easily. Keeping your information consistent across multiple platforms reinforces your online authority.

The Importance of Localised Content Marketing

Creating Content That Resonates Locally

Blogging about local events, trends, or issues makes your website relevant to local searches. Feature community highlights or collaborations with local businesses. Share success stories and behind-the-scenes insights into your company to humanise your brand.

Using Local Events to Boost Visibility

If your business sponsors or participates in local events, create content around it. This boosts engagement and attracts local backlinks. Write blog posts, post event photos, and create social media content showcasing your involvement.

Building Community Engagement Through Content

Encourage user-generated content, such as customer photos or testimonials. This fosters community engagement and strengthens local trust. Highlight customer experiences and interactions on your website and social media.

Mastering local SEO isn’t about spending thousands on marketing—it’s about being visible where it matters most. Keep your information accurate, stay engaged with your audience, and continuously optimise your local strategy. Do this, and soon, your business won’t just be another name in the search results—it’ll be the first name customers think of when they need your service.

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How Not To Do Local SEO

Posted by Brian Weston on
How Not To Do Local SEO

Recently, I came across a good (or bad, depending on your perspective) example of how not to do local SEO. In fact, the company in question was quite lucky to have got my business, as I quite easily could have given up on my search! Stripping out the identifying details, here’s the cautionary tale for those wanting to attract local business through SEO.

I was looking for a local business that replaced or repaired trampoline mats. Naturally, I hopped onto Google and punched in “trampoline mat replacement [My Area]”. The search results that ended up on the top of the first page were all trying to sell me brand new trampolines (no thanks – this is not the droid I am looking for). Others were local business listing sites which started with “Looking for trampoline mat replacement in [My Area]?” and continued with what I knew from experience to be a frustrating rabbit trail.

Other sites that were listed for me included places with trampoline parts (hooray!) in the United States (phooey!). In the end, I tried about five different search terms, with and without quote marks to create a longer search term and narrow things down, including various ways of describing my local area.

Finally, I managed to find something that looked possible with the search term “canvas goods [My Wider Area]”. Even then, it took a bit of hunting around on the site and a query to find out whether or not the company in question actually did trampoline repairs.

This experience left me thinking. I mean, I’m surely not the only person in my local area to own a trampoline – in fact, I know I’m not. And let’s face it: for safety reasons, the mats need to be replaced now and again. So why, oh, why was it so hard to find a local business online that offered the services I wanted?

Now, I’m a bit of a bulldog and I wanted that trampoline mat repaired badly and I really, really wanted something local so I didn’t have to lug a massive bit of canvas all over the place to a company that wasn’t local. I did consider it! Other customers might not have been as stubborn or persistent, and might have gone elsewhere, as I was tempted to do.

It struck me that that particular company would have been missing out on a fair bit of local business. Yes, word of mouth is still a great way to get new customers, but when it comes to attracting local customers (especially for a unique service), it’s important to be visible and easy to find through an online search – and that means that you have to do the local SEO right.

This company was lucky – they were the only one (at least that I know of) in the area that provided this particular services. Imagine what would have happened if they had a local competitor who was doing the local search thing right.

The Simple Search Engine Optimisation Trick They Got Right

There was one thing that the particular company did right: they did have their business and its location listed with Google (Google Business Profile, previously known as Google My Business listing). In fact, this was how I found them: Google’s algorithm looked at one of the search terms I tried (canvas goods), then matched up my area with the business that matched that search term that was closest to me. If this particular company hadn’t listed with Google Business Profile, I would not have found them. I probably would have thrown up my hands in despair and done something else – looked for a second-hand trampoline and taken the old one down to the recycling centre, for example.

And that’s a lesson that we could all learn if we’re thinking about how to improve your local search listings. This GBP system is one of the reasons why it’s the most popular search engine out there. You really do need to make the most of it if you want to attract business from customers near you who want to find what they need near to where they live.

It’s not hard to set up a Google Business Profile. In fact, it’s very easy and it’s kind of fun. In fact, you don’t have any excuse not to do it (in other words, if you aren’t already doing this, go and do it right now).

Better Local Digital Marketing

So what could that particular company have done better to help their business be seen online to local customers? There are quite a few things that they could have done which we can all learn from if we want to optimise our sites for local SEO. Here’s a few of the easy tricks that that would have made my search a lot easier (and make it easier for all the other customers that aren’t as digitally literate!).

Google Business Profile

The obvious first choice you need to make, if you want to appear in local searches on Google maps and organic Google searches. I already explained the importance in the previous paragraphs. Get this done yesterday. It’s free…for now.

Google Local Services Ads a.k.a Google Guaranteed

This is a paid option that I recommend to local businesses. Although you have to spend money to get leads, this system is quite different to Google Ads (I am going to go into a separate blog post about the paid options in local marketing, so please bear with me for now).

When you sign up for Google Local Services Ads, you pay for every lead you receive. A lead is typically a phone call that you get from your listing. Google claims they vet the calls so any cold calls and timewasters (as in not genuine customers) do not get charged to your account.

Google LSA is a great option as the listings are displayed right at the top of the page, above Google Ads, the maps and the organic listings. Here is an example from my “plumber London” search:

Clearly Display Local Service Offerings

If you offer a service, then make sure that you say so somewhere on your site! What that particular company did wrong was that they listed some of the services they did, with some nice pictures of what they’d done (and the pictures weren’t too large, which at least made the site mobile-friendly – another big must for SEO and improving your rankings these days). But then they had “and lots more; contact us for more details.”

However, we have to find your business online before we can contact you! You may need to get a bit creative here with your keywords, especially long-tailed keywords (a real turbo booster for your search result rankings) to make sure that you include everything that your potential clients might type into their search bar.

Optimise Meta Tags – Title and Description – with Local Terms

This is key. Make the most of metadata and tags. Definitely put your location in the tags and metadata – and also think wider when you do this. For example, if you have a business in, say, Caterham, you shouldn’t just have “Caterham” in there. You should probably also list Croydon, London, Greater London, South London and all the nearby areas and neighbourhoods.

Location-Relevant Content

Include lots of location-relevant content in your website content. This a great way to include the names of places nearby (parks and streets) in your content in a natural way – which is another must for improving your page rankings. It also shows that you’re involved in your local community.

For example, if you’re a garden store, then you might want to talk about things in local parks or other new developments in the area, and link this to gardening. You could profile local growers and gardeners – who, of course, are going to tell their friends that they’ve been interviewed and will share their page like crazy on social media.

Social Media Presence is a Must

Have a page on social media sites. In fact, I’ve come across a few businesses who have this as their only online marketing strategy and they don’t even have a proper website. While not having a specific website isn’t the smartest idea, Facebook pages do help boost your authority and therefore your rankings.

Get Involved in Your Local Community

This requires going offline to interact with others at local events. This is old-fashioned but some things never go out of style and they help with your page rankings as well as increasing your visibility. It also gives you the chance to talk about something local and mention lots of nearby locations – and don’t forget to use plenty of hashtags involving your local area name(s) and/or the event itself to build some backlinks.

List Your Website on Local Citations Sites

Use the local listing sites like Yell, TripAdvisor, Thomson Local, etc. OK, speaking as a customer, these sites are a bit frustrating to use, as I’d much prefer to find the actual website of a nearby business in my search results. However, they do end up high in the rankings and they do drive traffic to your site, as potential customers do use them to find local businesses (yes, including me!). And that’s always good for your business as well as for your SEO rankings.

Is local SEO important if you are a local business offering services in your area? Absolutely. But the kicker is, it needs to be done right. Mess this up, and you are risking to allow your competitors to overtake you in the local rankings.