If you’re looking to generate leads through your website, local SEO isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Why? Because it’s what makes your website visible when locals search for your services or products.
SEO is an important part of running and advertising your business. With a solid SEO baseline to build from, you can better establish your business, strengthening its link to the local area.
Here, we’ll detail everything you need to know about SEO best practices to improve the visibility of your local Bournemouth business. With a solid foundation, you can continue to grow and accelerate your SEO results now and going forward.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Somer Design today.
Why Does SEO Matter?
SEO, search engine optimisation, is what helps websites rank higher in search engine results. With a higher rank, your business becomes more visible to online traffic. This is a great way to help build your customer base and encourage it to consistently grow.
Likewise, a higher ranking can build your business’s credibility and encourage local engagement. In 2022, 45.1% of users were drawn to websites organically and less than 1% of users looked at the second page of search results.
These statistics make clear the impact good SEO can have on local businesses. With a naturally high rank, users are more likely to trust your business and engage with you online and in person.
Local SEO in Bournemouth: Do You Want to Rank Locally?
Should your Bournemouth based business invest in local rankings and local SEO?
Let’s do a quick exercise to determine whether local rankings should be a priority for you.
When someone searches for a product or service via Google, a number of ranking factors determine which results appear first.
This includes:
- Google Business Profile optimisation
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency online
- Local citations
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Proximity to searcher
- Localised website content
- Backlinks from local websites
- Mobile-friendliness
- On-page SEO for location keywords
- Social media signals
The key factor above when it comes to local SEO is the proximity to the searcher. Google wants to show its users the most relevant results for their search. After all, you wouldn’t want to see results for restaurants hundreds of kilometres away when searching for a ‘restaurant near me’!
If your business requires your customers or clients to physically come to you, then local SEO is paramount. Similarly, if you operate within a dedicated service area, then local SEO is the right strategy for you.
On the other hand, if the location of your customers or clients doesn’t matter, then local SEO isn’t as important.
How to Get Local SEO Results in Bournemouth
Good SEO is the result of multiple different features and techniques, combining to affect your online visibility. Here, we’ll go through the key elements you should focus on to increase your Bournemouth business’ reach.
1. Keyword Research
Keywords are what search engines track to help sites rank higher. Utilising relevant terms and keywords can help your Bournemouth business stay visible.
For example, using local-specific keywords such as ‘Bournemouth restaurants’ or ‘plumbers in Bournemouth’ will target local intent. Combining broad keywords like ‘Bournemouth hotels’ with location-specific phrases such as ‘affordable hotels near Bournemouth beach’ can likewise increase your reach.
This approach covers a range of search intents, from general inquiries to specific needs, helping you attract both local customers and visitors searching for services in Bournemouth.
2. On-Page SEO
On-page SEO refers to the optimisation of individual web pages. This is to improve their search engine rankings and drive organic traffic. It involves optimising elements like title tags, meta descriptions, headers and URLs. Likewise, content, proper keyword usage, readability, and relevance can improve your SEO.
For example, using titles like ‘Best Restaurants in Bournemouth’ or ‘Trusted Bournemouth Plumbers’ will capture local relevance. Meta descriptions also incorporate similar local keywords to increase click-through rates, such as ‘Find the best Italian restaurants in Bournemouth near the beach’.
3. Content Quality
Content quality refers to creating informative and engaging material that meets the needs of your audience. Quality content tends to rank higher in search engines. It can keep users on the page longer and encourages sharing. Ultimately, it can improve a website’s performance and authority.
To utilise this for your Bournemouth business you should focus on topics relevant to the local community, such as ‘Top Attractions in Bournemouth’ or ‘Bournemouth Real Estate Market Trends’. Highlight local events, businesses, or landmarks to connect with local readers and visitors.
Regularly update this content to ensure it remains fresh and accurate, which helps maintain rankings. Diversify formats by incorporating blogs, local guide videos, and infographics showcasing Bournemouth facts and customer testimonials.
This variety not only engages your audience but also improves your chances of ranking for different searches.
4. Technical SEO
Technical SEO involves optimising the backend structure of a website to improve its crawlability, indexing, and overall performance. It includes ensuring the site loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, uses HTTPS, and is free of technical errors.
Technical SEO also involves implementing structured data, creating and submitting XML sitemaps, and addressing issues like broken links or duplicate content to enhance search engine visibility and user experience.
Easy SEO Techniques for Bournemouth Businesses
While navigating SEO can be overwhelming there are several techniques you can employ that have little to no cost.
Keeping Your Google Business Profile updated and relevant can go a long way to helping you stand out. The first step is ensuring all your business details are accurate and relevant.
Similarly, encourage your regular Bournemouth customers to leave an online review. This can help to build your businesses online and local reputation quickly.
Include quality pictures of your local Bournemouth store and its surroundings. This can help online customers get a feel for your business. Likewise, including a map of the Bournemouth area highlighting your location can go a long way to converting visitors into physical customers.
Optimising SEO for Bournemouth Businesses
Here we’ve created an example you could follow to help adjust your business’s local SEO. These examples are focused on a Bournemouth-based bakery, highlighting the SEO elements you need and how to use them.
Local Keywords
Local keywords for a Bournemouth bakery would likely include:
- Bournemouth bakery
- Fresh cakes in Bournemouth
- Pastries near Bournemouth
- Best bread in Bournemouth
Main Title and Meta Description
Writing a short and relevant meta title and description is a great way to get key information across quickly. Here are some examples:
- Meta Title
Top-Rated Bakery in Bournemouth | Delicious Cakes & Pastries
- Meta Description
Discover the best bakery in Bournemouth for fresh cakes, pastries, and bread. Visit us for delightful treats made daily.
Google Business Profile
Below is an example of the key information you should provide with your Google Business profile. Ensuring your information is accurate should always be your first step.
Business Name: [Bakery Name]
Address: [Your Address], Bournemouth
Phone Number: [Your Phone Number]
Hours: Open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM – 6 PM
Description: Visit [Bakery Name] in Bournemouth for the freshest cakes and pastries in town. Enjoy a wide selection of baked goods, all made with love and the highest quality ingredients. Conveniently located at [Your Address].
Photos: Include images of your bakery, products, and any events.
Local Directories
Provide your address to local directories to ensure it is correctly listed. Some local Bournemouth directories you could be listed on include:
Are You Ready to Boost Your Local Bournemouth SEO?
With these tips, you can build a solid SEO foundation for your Bournemouth business. But navigating these elements, especially the technical side, can be time-consuming and overwhelming.
With Somer Design, our experienced team can help you with all your SEO needs. From local optimisation to backend support, we can help increase your rank. With our organised, ongoing support you can keep your business ahead of the curve.
If you want to boost your rankings, reach out to our team today to get started.
