City Spotlight Series: “Doing Business in Manchester: Local SEO Tips & Resources”
If you manage a local business in Manchester, making sure people can find you online is crucial. Local SEO is a powerful tool that helps your site appear in search engines when someone nearby looks for your services or products. It boosts your online presence and helps attract more local customers.
In this guide, we offer clear, useful tips and trusted tools to help your small business stand out in local search results. Whether you’re just starting or want to improve your local SEO performance, these insights will support your success in the Manchester community.
Local SEO is a powerful tool that helps your site appear in search engines when someone nearby looks for your services or products.
Business in Manchester
Manchester’s small business scene is growing fast, from plumbers in Didsbury to beauty salons in the Northern Quarter. These local businesses are part of a busy, thriving market, but that also means lots of competition.
To stand out in this space, strong local SEO strategies are essential. Businesses aiming for more local customers need to appear in local search results with accurate business information and smart use of keywords. This guide explores how tools like Google Keyword Planner and Google Analytics support your strategy.
From setting up your Google Business Profile to building local citations, the following sections will help you increase your visibility and grow your customer base in Greater Manchester.
Local Business Stats & Search Trends in Manchester
Manchester’s local business growth continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 41,222 new small businesses were registered in Greater Manchester. By the end of 2024, the number rose to 251,769 – a record high. Many of these are service-based small businesses like plumbers, electricians, and beauty salons.
With this increase, local search trends also grew. Nearly half of all searches on Google have local intent. “Near me” searches in the UK went up over 900% in just two years, showing the importance of local SEO. For example, “plumber near me” has 110,000 monthly searches across the UK, with high demand in Manchester.
The ongoing process of improving your SEO requires consistent effort. It is crucial for local SEO success.
This means appearing in local search results matters. Using keyword research and tools like Google Keyword Planner helps small businesses identify relevant keywords and improve their local SEO ranking.
More people are using mobile devices to make local searches. According to Google’s Consumer Barometer, 82% of smartphone users in the UK search for local services. This is why having a mobile friendly website with accurate name, address, and phone number is key.
Getting listed on platforms like Google Business Profile, making use of long tail keywords, and ensuring your site is updated regularly can significantly improve local search visibility. Tracking your website’s performance through Google Search Console and Google Analytics provides insights that can ultimately drive growth and bring more traffic to your site.
Google Business Profile Optimisation Tips
A well-optimised Google Business Profile is key for any local SEO strategy. It helps your business appear in local search results and supports your online presence. To help search engines understand your services, complete your listing carefully.
Start by claiming your profile. Add your accurate business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Select the most relevant SEO category, include business hours, and describe your services using local keywords that reflect your physical location. These improve your chance to rank higher in relevant local searches.
Add high quality images of your work and your team. High quality content helps build trust with potential customers. Keep your details up-to-date and respond to customer reviews to boost your credibility and improve your local SEO.
Regularly publish updates, highlight special offers, and write blog posts about local events. These steps help you connect with your local audience and attract more customers.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover relevant keywords, and focus on mobile optimisation to support users searching on mobile devices. Reviews, accurate info, and helpful responses show you care and significantly enhance your business profile.
Optimise your Google Business Profile and ensure your name, address, and phone number are consistent across all platforms. That’s a fundamental aspect of successful SEO and can significantly improve your visibility in local search rankings.
- Use Local Keywords in Descriptions: Without keyword stuffing, naturally mention your city or area. This helps Google associate your business with Manchester searches.
- Keep Information Up-to-Date: Ensure your opening hours, address, and contact info are always current. Google favours profiles that are actively maintained.
- Add Photos and Posts: Upload high-quality photos of your business, team, and work. Regularly post updates or offers.
- Collect Reviews and Engage: Encourage happy customers to leave a Google review and respond to them professionally. Reviews boost credibility and impact search rankings.
- Leverage Q&A: Monitor and respond to questions in the Q&A section. Seed common questions yourself and provide helpful answers.
- Local Attributes and Posts: Use relevant attributes (“women-led”, “accepts credit cards”, etc.) and utilise Google Posts for local promotions.
The Power of Local Backlinks & Directories
Local SEO also depends on building high quality backlinks and having accurate business listings. One easy win is getting listed in trusted local directories. These provide useful citations and boost your visibility in search results.
When you list your business on directories like Noticed UK, it improves your online presence and helps more customers find you. It also shows consistency across platforms and confirms your business details. Tools like Google Analytics let you track how many visitors are finding you through these channels.
Make sure your listing has your full business name, address, and phone number. Listings with consistent NAP data build trust and help you appear in local searches. Local citations from other websites also help your SEO.
Sponsoring local events, joining local groups, and asking for backlinks from other local businesses are great ways to support your local SEO efforts. These community connections are part of a successful SEO strategy and help drive traffic to your website.
One easy win is getting listed on reputable online directories, especially those focused on Manchester or the UK. For example, Noticed UK is a growing UK business directory that offers free listings. Being listed provides two main benefits:
- Link Equity & Citations: These create a valuable backlink and act like a “vote of confidence.” Citations across directories with consistent NAP info help rankings.
- Increased Discovery: Directory presence means potential customers can discover you directly. Profiles often rank on Google and add visibility.
- Stay Consistent across Profiles: Ensure your profile is fully filled out and matches your GMB exactly. Use natural keywords and seek out niche directories too. Other ideas include outreach to local blogs, sponsoring events, and joining business groups like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Featured Members: Manchester Business Spotlights
Clenston Ltd – Drainage & Plumbing Experts (Prestwich, Manchester)
- Q: What’s been your key to staying visible to local customers over the decades?
- A: “Our biggest key is community reputation. Reviews online build trust quickly. We make sure all our info is consistent everywhere and respond quickly to all queries.”
- Q: Any local SEO tip?
- A: “Mention the areas you serve. Post photos of work and tag locations. Be part of the community.”
Lift N Shift – House Removal And Relocation (Manchester City Centre)
- Q: How do you attract local clients online?
- A: “Instagram, directory listings and Google are everything. We update our profile weekly and list on every major directory.”
- Q: Do reviews matter?
- A: “Massively. We give encourage clients to leave a review. We also connect with local bloggers for backlinks.”
Aurum Pest Control Solutions Ltd (Manchester)
- Q: How do you stand out in search results?
- A: “We focus on niche services and use specific terms. We also share project updates online.”
- Q: How has Noticed UK helped?
- A: “Our premium profile acts like a second website. It adds credibility and boosts SEO.”
Claim Your Manchester Business Listing – Get Noticed!
It’s time to claim or update your Manchester listing on trusted local directories like Noticed UK. Even a free business listing can play a significant role in your local SEO success by improving your online presence and helping you gain more customers.
Listings give you another place to showcase your business information and link back to your website. These profiles often rank well in search results and can build trust. Tools like Google Analytics provide insights into which channels bring in the most traffic.
By ensuring your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all platforms, you increase your chances of showing up in more local searches. Customer reviews and directory links are also valuable local citations.
Many potential customers compare prices or search reviews across platforms. Being visible in more than one place—Google, Noticed UK, and others—creates more chances to attract customers.
A strong presence on multiple platforms signals authority and improves your SEO. So take the first step. Update your profile, claim your listing, and start reaching nearby customers today.
Let’s keep Manchester businesses booming both offline and online!
Manchester: Local SEO Tips for Business Owners
Doing business in Manchester means staying competitive both offline and online. With smart local SEO, your {company_name} can appear in more search results, helping potential customers find your services.
From managing your Google Business Profile and collecting customer reviews, to getting local backlinks and directory citations, every step you take improves your SEO ranking and online presence.
Update your listings, add fresh content, and use tools like Google Keyword Planner to stay ahead. These proven strategies can help you attract more local customers and ultimately drive growth for your business.