/ SEO
What is local SEO?
Getting found for searches with local intent — 'plumber near me', 'accountant Colchester'. It's mostly Google Business Profile, reviews, and location-relevant pages.
/ 01
The short version
Local SEO is a different game from national SEO and much more winnable for small businesses.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Google Business Profile fully filled in, categorised correctly, with photos.
- • Consistent name, address and phone across every directory.
- • A page per service and per key town you actually serve.
- • Steady review flow — recency matters as much as volume.
- • Local links: chamber of commerce, suppliers, local press, sponsorships.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Proximity is a huge ranking factor in the map pack. You can't outrank someone in the town centre from ten miles away — target the searches you can actually win.
/ 04
What to do next
Open your Google Business Profile and fill in every empty field. It's the highest-return hour in local SEO.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get local SEO right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Do I need a physical address?
No, but you need a defined service area.
How many reviews do I need?
More than the businesses ranking above you, and recent.
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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