Busy running a café, restaurant, shop, or service-based business in Swansea? You know how important it is to attract local customers. Having a great product or service is no longer enough when competition is so tough; you need to be visible where your customers are searching.
The truth is that 97% of people search for local businesses online before deciding where to shop, eat, or book a service. If your business isn’t showing up in Google search results, you’re losing potential customers to competitors who are.
That’s where Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and digital marketing come in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best strategies to boost your Google rankings, attract more foot traffic, and grow your business in Swansea.
Ready to tuck in and do the work? Get your hands on our free SEO checklist.
Understanding Local SEO: Why It Matters for Your Swansea Business
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimising your business so that it appears at the top of search results when people look for products or services in your area. For example, when someone searches “best coffee shop in Swansea” or “plumber near me”, Google prioritises businesses that are well-optimised for local search.
The businesses listed at the top of Google search rankings don’t end up there accidentally! Invest in SEO, and your business can outrank theirs.
How Local SEO Helps You Get More Customers
✅ Increases visibility on Google Maps & local search results
✅ Helps your business show up for “near me” searches
✅ Builds trust through customer reviews & ratings
✅ Boosts foot traffic to your physical location, or calls and appointments for your service
If your business isn’t optimised, you’re missing out on ready-to-buy customers. Let’s dive into the key Local SEO strategies you need.
How to Set Up & Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most crucial ranking factor for local searches. It’s what shows up on Google Maps and in the “Local Pack” (the top 3 business listings under the map).
Steps to Optimise Your Google Business Profile:
1️⃣ Claim & Verify Your Listing at Google Business Profile
2️⃣ Complete All Information (Business name, address, phone number, website, hours, services)
3️⃣ Use High-Quality Photos (Of your shop, office, products, menu, or team)
4️⃣ Post Regular Updates (Special offers, new products, news, and events)
5️⃣ Encourage & Respond to Reviews (More on this later!)
Pro Tip: Businesses with complete GBP profiles are 2.7x more likely to be considered reputable by customers!
The Best Local SEO Strategies for Swansea Businesses
Target Local Keywords (Swansea-Specific)
Using location-based keywords is a must. Instead of generic terms like “coffee shop,” use:
✔️ “Best coffee shop in Swansea”
✔️ “Independent café in Swansea Marina”
✔️ “Accountancy services for small businesses in Swansea”
You can get ideas of high-traffic local keywords using:
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- Google Autocomplete
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- “People Also Ask” section on Google
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- Professional tools like SEMRush or Ahrefs
Get Listed in Online Directories
Google checks multiple sources to confirm your business details. Make sure you’re listed on:
✅ Yelp, Yell, TripAdvisor (for cafés, restaurants, hotels)
✅ Bing Places, Apple Maps, Facebook Business Pages
✅ Local Swansea directories & business listings
Bonus: The more places your business is listed with consistent details, the better your SEO!
Collect & Manage Customer Reviews
Reviews boost credibility and improve rankings. Google prioritises businesses with high ratings & frequent reviews.
How to Get More Reviews:
✅ Ask customers in person after a great experience
✅ Send a follow-up email or SMS to thank them for their custom, and include a review link
✅ Offer a small incentive (e.g., 10% off next visit)
✅ Respond to all reviews (good & bad) professionally (and quickly!)
✅ Put up posters or table tents in your shop with a QR code to your Google business page for customers to leave a review
Social Media & Digital Marketing for Small Businesses in Swansea
Social media is free marketing. If your customers are there, which they likely are, use it to drive engagement and attract more customers.
Platforms to Focus On:
- Facebook & Instagram are best for restaurants, shops, and services
- TikTok is great for viral content & engaging younger audiences
- LinkedIn is perfect for B2B businesses and professional services
How to Grow Your Social Media Presence:
✅ Post behind-the-scenes content (e.g., making your top dish)
✅ Run local Facebook & Instagram ads targeting Swansea
✅ Partner with local influencers & bloggers
✅ Share customer testimonials & success stories
✅ Run local competitions and contests to encourage engagement
Website & Content Marketing for Local Businesses
A great website turns visitors into paying customers.
What Your Website Needs:
✔️ Great Copy – Engaging, on-brand copy that converts visitors into paying customers
✔️ Fast Loading Speed – Use compressed images & caching
✔️ Mobile-Friendly Design – Over 60% of searches are from mobile.
✔️ Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) – E.g., “Book Now,” “Order Online”
✔️ SEO-Optimised Content – Blog posts and service pages with local keywords
Regular content and blog posts improve your SEO, keep customers engaged, and establish you as an expert.
Free & Paid Tools to Help You Improve Your SEO & Marketing
Free SEO Tools:
✅ Google My Business – Manage local search presence
✅ Google Analytics – Track website traffic & conversions
✅ Google Search Console – Monitor search performance
Paid Tools (Advanced SEO Tracking):
Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Plausible are good for tracking keyword rankings & competitors, as well as running complex SEO audits on your website.
Get More Customers for Your Business in Swansea
By optimising your Google profile, website, and digital marketing strategy, you’ll increase visibility, attract more customers, and grow your business.
📢 Want expert help? Get a FREE SEO audit and consultation with SEO Swansea today.
