Local SEO Strategies for North West Businesses

Dominating Local Search in Lancashire and Beyond

For businesses serving local markets, appearing in local search results is crucial. Whether you're in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, or anywhere in the North West, local SEO can transform your business.

Why Local SEO Matters

According to Google:

46% of all Google searches have local intent
88% of local mobile searches result in a call or visit within 24 hours
"Near me" searches have grown exponentially

Google Business Profile Optimisation

Your Google Business Profile is the foundation of local SEO:

Essential Elements

Accurate NAP – Name, Address, Phone consistency
Categories – Primary and secondary business categories
Description – Keyword-rich business description
Hours – Accurate and updated opening times
Photos – Quality images of premises, team, work
Services – Detailed service listings

Ongoing Optimisation

Regular posts and updates
Responding to reviews promptly
Adding new photos regularly
Answering questions
Using Google's messaging feature

Local Citation Building

Citations are mentions of your business on other websites:

Key Citation Sources

Yell.com
Thomson Local
Bing Places
Apple Maps
Industry directories
Local business directories
Chamber of Commerce listings

Citation Consistency

NAP information must be identical across all citations. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and reduce rankings.

Local Content Strategy

Location-Specific Pages

Create dedicated pages for each area you serve. XL Marketing has pages for:

Local Content Ideas

Local news and event coverage
Area-specific case studies
Community involvement stories
Local partnership announcements

Review Generation and Management

Why Reviews Matter

Impact local pack rankings
Influence click-through rates
Build trust with potential customers
Provide valuable feedback

Review Generation Strategies

Ask satisfied customers directly
Follow-up emails with review links
Make leaving reviews easy
Train staff to request reviews

Responding to Reviews

Thank positive reviewers
Address negative reviews professionally
Show you value feedback
Never argue publicly

Technical Local SEO

Schema Markup

Implement local business schema to help search engines understand:

Business type
Location details
Opening hours
Service areas

Mobile Optimisation

Local searches are predominantly mobile. Ensure:

Fast loading speeds
Click-to-call functionality
Easy navigation
Mobile-friendly forms

Our web development services include mobile optimisation as standard.

Local Link Building

Local Link Opportunities

Local news coverage
Sponsorships and community involvement
Local business partnerships
Industry associations
Guest posts on local blogs

Tracking Local SEO Performance

Key Metrics

Local pack rankings
Google Business Profile views
Direction requests
Phone calls from listings
Website visits from local search

Integrating Local SEO with Lead Generation

Local SEO supports broader lead generation efforts:

Inbound enquiries from local searches
Brand awareness supporting outbound calls
Trust building through reviews
Multi-touchpoint marketing integration

Get Local SEO Help

XL Marketing provides comprehensive digital marketing services in Chorley and throughout the North West. Our team combines local SEO expertise with telemarketing and appointment setting for complete lead generation solutions.