5 Website Tweaks That Instantly Improve Local SEO
Let’s be honest: local SEO can feel like a dark art. But if your website isn’t pulling its weight, no amount of directory listings or Google posts will save the day.
The good news? You don’t have to rebuild your entire site from scratch. A few smart tweaks can make a big difference to your local visibility and we’re here to show you what they are.
If you’re new to the world of local SEO, we recommend starting with our intro guide to Local Search first.
Add Location-Specific Keywords
Keywords are still a thing – but for local SEO, it’s all about the where as much as the what.
Instead of just saying “expert plumbing services,” say “expert plumbing services in Milton Keynes.” Think about how your customers would search for you.
Where to use these:
- Page titles & meta descriptions
- H1 and subheadings
- First paragraph of your content
- Alt tags and image filenames
Speaking of images, don’t forget these local image tips:
- Rename your images before uploading (e.g., “towcester-blinds-fitting.jpg”)
- Add descriptive alt tags that include the service and location
- Use real, local project photos when possible (not just stock shots)
Google rewards helpful, natural content. If your page reads like you’re playing town-name bingo, it’s time to rewrite.
Optimise Your Contact Page (Properly)
A contact page isn’t just a form and a phone number. It’s an opportunity to prove to Google you’re real, relevant, and local.
What to include:
- Full business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
- An embedded Google Map
- Directions or local landmarks (e.g. “Located near Campbell Park”)
- Opening hours
If you serve multiple areas, link to dedicated service pages. More on that below…
Create Dedicated Service Area or Location Pages
Serving Milton Keynes and Northampton? Don’t make people guess.
Create a page for each major town, area or postcode you cover. These shouldn’t be carbon copies, tailor each page with:
- Services relevant to that area
- Local testimonials or case studies
- Photos of your work in that town (bonus points for landmarks!)
We’ve seen clients go from nowhere to the local map pack just by adding quality town pages.
Improve Your Site Speed & Mobile Friendliness
Nearly 60% of local searches happen on mobile, often while someone’s standing outside a property or halfway up a ladder.
So, your website needs to:
- Load fast (under 3 seconds ideally)
- Be easy to use on mobile (big buttons, no pinching/zooming)
- Have your phone number tappable
Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Mobile Friendly Test to see how you score. If the results make you cry, we’ll pass the tissues and help you fix it.
Add Local Schema Markup
This one sounds techy, but stick with us. Schema markup is code that helps search engines understand what your site is about. It’s like handing Google a cheat sheet.
The “LocalBusiness” schema tells Google:
- Who you are
- Where you are
- What you do
You can generate it using tools like technicalseo.com, then copy and paste it into your site. Or, better still, ask your web team (or us, we love that stuff)).
Your website doesn’t need to be flashy, it just needs to be findable. And with a few local SEO-friendly tweaks, it can go from invisible to unmissable.
If you’d rather not fiddle with code, compress images, or rewrite half your site, we’re here to help.
Not sure if your site is more “hidden gem” than “local legend”? Let’s take a look. No tech talk, no pressure, just practical advice, contact The Last Hurdle on 01604 654545 or email hello@thelasthurdle.co.uk
