Guides
Practical guides to getting found by local customers.
In-depth, plain-English guides to local SEO and AI search, plus detailed advice on starting and growing a local business in the UK. Written to be genuinely useful, whether you do it yourself or work with us.
Optimised for the places your customers search
- Google Maps
- Google AI Overviews
- ChatGPT
- Perplexity
- Gemini
- Microsoft Copilot
Local SEO
Local SEO guides
How to rank higher on Google Maps and in local search results.
Local SEOHow to Optimise Your Google Business Profile: A Step-by-Step GuideYour Google Business Profile is often the first thing customers see. Here is how to set it up properly, keep it active and stay within Google's guidelines.Read the guide · 13 min
Local SEOHow to Get More Google Reviews (and Respond to Them Well)A practical guide to building a steady flow of genuine Google reviews, replying to them well, and staying on the right side of Google's policies and UK law.Read the guide · 13 min
Local SEOLocal Citations and NAP Consistency: What They Are and Why They MatterYour business name, address and phone number appear on dozens of sites. Here is why keeping them consistent matters, and how to audit and fix your listings.Read the guide · 12 min
Local SEOLocal Link Building: How to Earn Links That Help You Rank LocallyLinks from genuine local and industry websites help you rank on Google and get recommended by AI tools. Here is how to earn them, and which shortcuts to avoid.Read the guide · 12 min
Local SEOLocal SEO for Small Businesses: The Complete UK GuideA plain-English guide to how local search rankings work in the UK, what actually moves them, and how to build visibility on Google Maps and in AI answers.Read the guide · 14 minAI search
AI search (AEO) guides
How to get your business recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews.
AI searchGoogle AI Overviews: What They Mean for Local BusinessesAI Overviews now sit above many Google results in the UK. Here is what they are, how they interact with local search and Maps, and what local businesses should do about them.Read the guide · 11 min
AI searchHow to Get Your Business Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini and PerplexityAI assistants are now a common way to find local services. This guide covers what they look at and the practical steps that make your business easier to recommend.Read the guide · 11 min
AI searchLocal SEO, Google Ads or AI Search: Where Should a Small Business Spend?Should you pay for clicks, invest in local SEO or work on AI search visibility? A balanced look at costs, timelines and when each option makes sense for a small business.Read the guide · 12 min
AI searchSchema Markup for Local Businesses: A Plain-English GuideSchema markup helps search engines read your business details reliably. This guide explains LocalBusiness schema, FAQ markup, sameAs and testing in plain English.Read the guide · 12 min
AI searchWhat Is AEO? Answer Engine Optimisation Explained for Local BusinessesAEO is about making your business easy for AI assistants to understand, trust and mention. Here is what it really involves, what it does not, and where to start.Read the guide · 14 minIndustry guides
Start and grow a local business
Detailed guides for specific industries, from regulation and pricing to winning customers online.
Industry guidesHow to Become a Driving Instructor and Build a Successful Driving SchoolA practical guide to qualifying as an approved driving instructor and building a driving school, from parts 1 to 3 to pricing, test bookings and getting found online.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Grow a Successful Trades Business in the UKHow to move from busy sole trader to a growing trade firm, covering pricing, cash flow, tax, your first hire and winning work through local search and AI.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Open a Beauty Salon in the UKPlan, open and grow an independent beauty salon, from choosing your treatment menu and licences to advertising responsibly and getting found on Google Maps and in AI answers.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Open a Successful Café or Restaurant in the UKA practical guide to opening a café or restaurant, from registering with the council and Natasha's Law to licences, pricing your menu and filling tables through local search.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Open and Grow a Successful Dental Practice in the UKFrom CQC registration and NHS contracts to choosing between a squat and buying an existing practice, here is what to plan before you open and how to attract patients.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Open a Hair Salon or Barbershop in the UKEverything you need to plan, open and fill an independent hair salon or barbershop, from premises and staffing models to getting found on Google Maps and in AI answers.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Open an Independent Veterinary Practice in the UKFrom registering your premises and planning out-of-hours cover to the CMA's new transparency rules, here is what to plan before you open an independent vet practice.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Open an Independent Opticians Practice in the UKFrom GOC registration and NHS contracts to the rules on selling glasses and contact lenses, here is what to plan before you open an independent opticians.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Building Company in the UKA practical guide to launching a building firm, from building regulations, CDM duties and CIS to contracts, warranties and winning extension and renovation work online.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Car Garage or MOT Centre in the UKThinking of opening an independent garage or MOT station? Here is what to know about DVSA approval, qualifications, waste, accreditation and winning local drivers.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Chiropractic or Osteopathy Clinic in the UKPlan and launch your own chiropractic or osteopathy clinic, from statutory registration and indemnity to advertising rules, premises, pricing and getting found by local patients.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Cleaning Business in the UKEverything you need to set up a cleaning business properly, from COSHH and insurance to pricing, hiring your first cleaner and winning regular local clients.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Dog Grooming Business in the UKA practical guide to launching a dog grooming business, from training and insurance to choosing a salon, van or home setup, handling nervous dogs and winning regular clients.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Dog Walking Business in the UKA practical guide to launching a dog walking business, from licensing rules and insurance to pricing walks, keeping dogs safe and winning loyal local clients.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Driveway and Paving Business in the UKFrom permeable paving rules and dropped kerbs to silica dust, cancellation rights and winning homeowners' trust, here is how to set up a driveway business that lasts.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Carpet and Flooring Fitting Business in the UKFrom FITA training and moisture testing to asbestos risks, waste carrier registration and winning your first jobs, here is how to set up a flooring business that lasts.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start an Independent Funeral Director Business in the UKPlan and open an independent funeral home, from CMA price lists, Scottish regulation and FCA funeral plan rules to care facilities, community trust and helping families find you.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Kitchen and Bathroom Fitting BusinessA practical guide to setting up as a kitchen and bathroom fitter, from regulated electrical and gas work to contracts, cancellation rights and getting found online.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Landscaping and Gardening Business in the UKFrom waste carrier registration and pesticide certificates to pricing patios and surviving winter, here is how to set up a landscaping business that lasts.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start Your Own Law Firm in England and WalesWhat you need to plan before setting up your own law firm, from SRA authorisation and indemnity cover to price transparency, referrals and getting found by local clients.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Locksmith Business in the UKLocksmithing is unlicensed in the UK, so trust is everything. Here is how to train, set up, price fairly and stand out from call centres on Google Maps and in AI answers.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Mortgage Broker Business in the UKEverything you need to set up as a mortgage broker, from CeMAP and choosing between direct authorisation and a network to compliant marketing and getting found online.Read the guide · 17 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Painting and Decorating BusinessA practical guide to setting up as a painter and decorator, from insurance, lead paint and ladders to quoting, winter work and getting found on Google and AI search.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Personal Training Business in the UKEverything you need to set up as a personal trainer, from Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications and insurance to choosing where to train and getting found locally.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Pest Control Business in the UKTraining, rodenticide stewardship, glue trap licensing, wildlife law and commercial contracts, plus how to be the local technician people find when they need help fast.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Successful Photography Business in the UKTurn your photography into a business, from copyright, contracts and client consent to insurance, drone rules, pricing and getting found by local couples, families and businesses.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Successful Plumbing Business in the UKFrom Gas Safe registration and water regulations to pricing your first jobs and getting found on Google Maps, here is what it takes to launch a plumbing business that lasts.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Private Physiotherapy Practice in the UKPlan and launch a private physio practice, from HCPC registration, indemnity and CQC scope to insurer recognition, responsible marketing and getting found by local patients.Read the guide · 14 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Removal Company in the UKVans versus lorries, operator licences, goods in transit cover, storage and pricing, plus how to become the local mover people find and trust when they are planning a move.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Roofing Business in the UKFrom working at height safely and CDM basics to guarantees, pricing and getting found on Google Maps, here is what it takes to launch a roofing business homeowners trust.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Solar Panel Installation Business in the UKA practical guide to launching a solar PV and battery installation business, from MCS certification and grid connection rules to honest selling and winning local enquiries.Read the guide · 16 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Tree Surgery Business in the UKCertificates, insurance, protected trees, wildlife law and the equipment you actually need, plus how to get found by homeowners searching for a qualified tree surgeon.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Window and Door Installation Business in the UKA practical guide to setting up as a window and door installer, from competent person schemes and building regulations to guarantees, quoting and getting found online.Read the guide · 17 min
Industry guidesHow to Start an Accountancy Practice in the UKEverything to plan before launching your own accountancy or bookkeeping practice, from AML supervision and HMRC registration to pricing, niches and getting found locally.Read the guide · 13 min
Industry guidesHow to Start an Electrical Contracting Business in the UKA practical guide to launching your own electrical business, from scheme registration and the latest wiring regulations to pricing, landlord work and winning local enquiries.Read the guide · 15 min
Industry guidesHow to Start a Successful Estate Agency in the UKEverything you need to know to launch an independent estate agency, from redress schemes and AML to winning your first instructions and getting found online.Read the guide · 13 minPrefer to have it done for you?
Next-generation local SEO and AI search optimisation from £399/month. Rolling monthly, no contract.