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10 Local SEO Tips to Help Kent Businesses Rank Higher on Google

SEO

11 Jan 2025

If you own a local business in Kent, you’ve probably wondered how to get more customers to find you online. You might have a great website, but if it’s not showing up in Google search results, you’re missing out on potential leads.

That’s where Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. Local SEO helps businesses rank higher in Google when people search for services in their area. So, if someone searches for “best plumber in Kent” or “affordable hair salon near me,” good local SEO increases the chances that your business appears at the top of the results.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to improve your local SEO! Here are 10 simple and effective Local SEO tips to help your Kent business get found online.

1. Set Up & Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

One of the fastest ways to boost your visibility in local search results is by creating a Google My Business (GMB) profile. This helps your business appear in Google’s local pack (the map listings you see at the top of search results).

How to Optimize Google My Business:

✅ Go to Google My Business and create a free account.
✅ Fill out all details, including your business name, address, phone number, and website.
✅ Select the right category for your business (e.g., "Plumber," "Café," "Electrician").
✅ Add photos of your business, products, or services.
✅ Keep your hours up to date, including holiday hours.
✅ Encourage customers to leave reviews (more on that next!).

2. Get More Google Reviews (And Respond to Them!)

Did you know that businesses with more positive reviews rank higher on Google? Reviews build trust and show Google that people value your services.

How to Get More Reviews:

✅ Ask happy customers to leave a review after using your service.
✅ Make it easy—send them a direct link to your Google review page.
✅ Offer a small incentive (like a discount or freebie) for leaving feedback.
✅ Always respond to reviews, whether they’re good or bad. A simple "Thank you!" goes a long way.

Example: If you own a café in Kent, a customer review like “Best coffee in Kent! Amazing service and cozy atmosphere.” helps boost your ranking for searches like “best café in Kent”.

3. Use Local Keywords on Your Website

What words do people type into Google when searching for your service? These are your keywords, and they should be included on your website.

Best Local SEO Keywords for Kent Businesses:

  • [Your Service] in Kent → Example: "Plumbing services in Kent"

  • Best [Your Service] near me → Example: "Best hair salon near me"

  • Affordable [Your Service] Kent → Example: "Affordable web design in Kent"

Where to Use Keywords:

✅ In your page titles (e.g., "Affordable Roofing Services in Kent")
✅ In your website content (naturally—don’t overstuff keywords)
✅ In your meta descriptions (the short summary on Google search results)
✅ In your image alt text (Google reads image descriptions too!)

4. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly

More than 60% of Google searches happen on mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be losing potential customers.

How to Check If Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly:

✅ Visit Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
✅ If your website isn’t optimized, consider updating your design or switching to a responsive template.

5. Add Your Business to Local Directories

Google looks at business listings across the web to verify your legitimacy. Adding your business to trusted local directories improves your search ranking.

Top Local Directories for Kent Businesses:

Yell
Thomson Local
Checkatrade (for tradespeople)
TripAdvisor (for restaurants, hotels, and cafes)
Bark (for service-based businesses)

Pro Tip: Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are exactly the same across all platforms!

6. Create Location-Specific Content

Google loves websites that publish helpful local content. Writing blog posts with Kent-specific keywords can help your business rank higher in searches.

Blog Ideas for Local SEO:

✅ “Top 5 Coffee Shops in Kent for Remote Work” (for a café)
✅ “How to Winter-Proof Your Home in Kent” (for a roofing company)
✅ “Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Kent” (for an event planner)

Tip: Try including local landmarks or neighborhoods in your content, like “plumbing services in Canterbury” or “roofing repairs near Dover.”

7. Use Schema Markup (Local Business Structured Data)

Schema Markup is a small piece of code that helps Google understand your business details (like location, services, and reviews).

How to Add Schema Markup:

✅ Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to generate the code.
✅ Add it to your website’s header.

8. Improve Your Website’s Speed

A slow website hurts your rankings and drives customers away. Google prioritizes fast-loading websites.

How to Speed Up Your Website:

✅ Compress images using TinyPNG.
✅ Minimize plugins if you use WordPress.
✅ Use a fast web hosting service.

9. Use Social Media to Drive Local Engagement

Social media doesn’t directly affect SEO, but it helps drive traffic to your website. More visitors = better rankings!

Best Social Media Strategies for Kent Businesses:

✅ Post updates about local events in Kent.
✅ Share customer testimonials and behind-the-scenes content.
✅ Link back to your website in every post!

10. Keep Your Website Updated

Google favors fresh, relevant content. A website that hasn’t been updated in years won’t rank well.

How to Keep Your Website Fresh:

✅ Regularly update service pages with new information.
✅ Add new blog posts monthly.
✅ Refresh old content with updated keywords and info.

Final Thoughts: Get More Customers with Local SEO in Kent

Improving your Local SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these 10 simple tips, you can rank higher on Google, attract more local customers, and grow your Kent-based business.

Need help optimizing your website for local searches? We specialize in affordable web design and local SEO for Kent businesses. Contact us today to get started!

🚀 Let’s help your business get found online! 🚀

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