5 Local SEO Tips You’re Probably Overlooking

We all know the basics: keywords, content, more keywords. Yawn. If you're here, you’re probably over it, just like I am. I mean, we’ve all Googled the same SEO advice a hundred times by now, right? But here’s the thing—there are a few sneaky local SEO tricks that fly under the radar. The kind that actually make a difference without you having to sell your soul to the Google algo!

And yes, they work. Let’s jump into them.

1. Google My Business—More Than Just a Dusty Profile

Alright, we all know about Google My Business. But are you really using it? Probably not. Most people treat it like a chore. They set it up once, leave it to gather dust, and wonder why their business isn’t on the map. Spoiler alert: that’s not enough.

Instead, keep it fresh. Post updates, add new photos, show off recent work. You don’t need to write a novel—just keep it ticking along. Google likes profiles that are alive and kicking, and so do your potential customers. At Pixelbricks, we’ve been doing this, and it’s been an absolute game changer. It's like giving our rankings a daily vitamin boost.

2. Write Like You’re Having a Chat, Not a Lecture

Forget stiff, formal blog posts. No one wants to read something that sounds like a GSCE essay. Instead, write like you’re talking to a mate. Use first person. Add local flavour, and throw in your personal experiences. It works wonders for your rankings and your readers.

We did this with posts like, "Why Your London Business Website Should Be as Bold and Sharp as The Shard." It felt natural. Personal. We weren’t just talking at people—we were talking with them. In another post, "Why Your Greenwich Business Needs a Website as Stunning as the Cutty Sark," I threw in how I was blown away by the sheer beauty of the ship. It made the post relatable, like we were all standing there admiring it together. This kind of content has bumped us up for search terms like "Web designer Greenwich" and "Web designer London."

3. Area Pages That Don’t Sound Like Robot Pages

Having dedicated area pages is a must. But here’s a tip: don’t sound like a robot. It’s tempting to cram "Web Designer London" into every heading like it's going out of style, but it doesn’t work that way. Google’s smarter than that.

Instead, write naturally. Go for something like, “Web Designer in London Making Your Business Stand Out.” or "Web Designer London Businesses Love!" It sounds more human, more approachable. That’s what we’ve done on our Pixelbricks area pages, and it’s paying off big time. We’re not just another generic "web designer London"—we’re becoming the go-to.

4. Backlinks: Quality Over Quantity, but Target Local

We all know backlinks are the holy grail of SEO. But don’t just focus on getting a bunch of links—you need local links. Get those backlinks pointing to your specific area pages. It’s like sending Google a neon sign that says, “We’re legit here!”

We’ve built up backlinks that direct traffic to our London page, and it’s been a slow but steady climb. The best part? Google notices. So, get some quality backlinks, but make sure they’re pointing to the right place. Area-specific pages are where the magic happens.

5. Get Featured, Not Forgotten

Everyone wants press coverage, right? Well, there are sneaky ways to get featured on industry sites without blowing your budget. Platforms like Featured, Qwoted, and Connectively are absolute goldmines. They’re free, and they’ll get your expertise featured in blog posts, articles, and more.

Pixelbricks has been using these sites to grab attention, and the backlinks we’ve earned from them? Pure SEO gold. Plus, getting your name out there builds credibility—and Google’s all about that.

Local SEO Done Right

These tips aren’t rocket science, but they’re often overlooked. At Pixelbricks, they’ve taken us from page 100+ for "Web Designer London" to the top 15—and we’re still climbing. So, if you’re tired of the same old SEO advice, give these a shot.

You might just surprise yourself—and your rankings.