Ninety-seven percent of people search online before visiting a local business. If your Hertfordshire business is not appearing in those searches, you are invisible to potential customers.
Local SEO is the process of making sure you show up when someone in Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, or anywhere in Hertfordshire searches for what you do.
The three pillars of local SEO
Google Business Profile
This is the most important single action you can take. Your Google Business Profile determines whether you appear in the Google Maps results ("the local pack") that show at the top of local searches. It is free, and most Hertfordshire businesses have either never set it up properly or have an outdated profile.
Your Google Business Profile must include: correct business name, address, and phone number; your actual opening hours; high-quality photos; and a detailed description of what you do.
On-page local SEO
Your website needs to tell Google exactly where you are and what you do. This means including location-specific pages (not just a generic "services" page), using local terms naturally in your content, and having your name, address, and phone number consistent everywhere online.
Local citations and reviews
Citations are mentions of your business on directories like Yell, Thomson Local, and industry-specific sites. Consistent citations across 40+ directories significantly improve local rankings. Reviews — especially Google Reviews — are increasingly important ranking signals.
Quick wins for Hertfordshire businesses
Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile this week — this is the highest-ROI action available.
Get 10 genuine Google reviews from existing customers — email them with a direct link to your review page.
Create location-specific pages on your website for each area you serve.
Ensure your phone number and address are on every page of your website.
We offer a free local SEO audit for Hertfordshire businesses — contact us to see exactly where you stand.