Frequently Asked Questions
Everything people ask us before they get in touch, grouped by service. Can’t see your question? Ring us on 01724 700 930.
Questions about SEO
Our SEO servicesWhat does an SEO agency actually do each month?
It depends on what your site needs most, but a typical month mixes technical checks, improvements to existing pages, new content and earning links, followed by a report on what moved. Our SEO services are measured on calls and enquiries, not just rankings.
Can I do SEO myself instead of hiring someone?
You can get a long way on your own: claim your Google Business Profile, ask for reviews and give every page a clear title. Where most owners run out of time is the technical work, content and link building that push you past competitors. That’s the part worth handing over.
Why has my website dropped down Google?
The usual suspects are a Google update, a competitor improving their site, a technical problem such as pages dropping out of the index, or losing links that used to point at you. A quick check of Search Console normally narrows it down, and we’re happy to take a look.
Do I need to write blogs for SEO to work?
Not necessarily. A blog only helps if it answers questions your customers actually ask. For many local businesses, strong service pages and town pages do more than a weekly blog post nobody reads.
Questions about local SEO
Our local SEO servicesWhat is a Google Business Profile, and do I need one?
It’s the free listing that shows your business on Google Maps and in the map results, with your hours, photos and reviews. If you serve local customers, it’s the single most important thing to get right, and it’s where our local SEO services always start.
Why doesn’t my business show up on Google Maps?
Common reasons are an unverified or suspended profile, the wrong main category, an address Google can’t match, or competitors who are closer and better reviewed. Most of these can be fixed, and a few weeks of steady work often makes a visible difference.
How do I get more Google reviews without being pushy?
Ask at the moment a customer is happiest, usually when the job is finished, and send them a direct link so it takes seconds. Never offer discounts or freebies in return, because Google’s rules don’t allow incentivised reviews.
Is it worth paying for directory listings?
A handful of accurate listings on trusted UK directories helps, as long as your name, address and number match everywhere. Paying for hundreds of low-quality listings does nothing for you and can muddy your details.
Questions about technical SEO
Our technical SEO servicesWhat are Core Web Vitals?
They’re Google’s three measurements of how a page feels to use: how quickly the main content loads, how fast the page responds when you tap or click, and how much the layout jumps around while it loads. Passing all three is part of our technical SEO work.
Why isn’t Google indexing some of my pages?
Pages can be left out because they’re blocked by a setting, look too similar to other pages, have very little content or simply haven’t been found yet. The page indexing report in Google Search Console shows which pages are affected and why.
Does website speed really affect my rankings?
Speed is one of many ranking signals, so it rarely moves you on its own. Where it makes a big difference is what happens next: slow pages lose visitors before they ever get in touch.
Will I lose my rankings if I move to a new website?
You can, if old addresses aren’t redirected to the new ones or important content disappears. Done carefully, with every old page mapped to its new home, most sites keep their positions and often improve.
Questions about AI SEO
Our AI SEO servicesWhat does GEO stand for?
Generative engine optimisation. It’s the work of getting your business mentioned and recommended in AI chat tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. It sits alongside AEO as part of our AI SEO services.
Should I block AI crawlers from my website?
If you want AI tools to recommend your business, usually not. Blocking them means they can’t read your site, so they’ll rely on what others say about you instead. Some businesses choose to block crawlers used only for training while allowing the ones that power AI search.
What is an llms.txt file, and do I need one?
It’s a proposed file that summarises your site for AI tools. It’s cheap to add, but the major AI search tools don’t rely on it yet, so it’s a nice extra rather than a priority. Clear pages, schema and a good reputation matter far more.
Can I see whether ChatGPT is sending visitors to my website?
Yes. In Google Analytics, visits from AI tools show up as referrals from sites like chatgpt.com and perplexity.ai. Not every AI recommendation leads to a click, though, so we also track how often you’re mentioned.
Questions about off-page SEO
Our off-page SEO servicesWhat is digital PR?
It’s creating stories, data or expert comment that journalists and bloggers want to cover, so they mention and link to you. It earns the kind of links that can’t be bought, and it’s a core part of our off-page SEO services.
Do links from social media help my SEO?
Not directly, because most social links don’t pass ranking value. They do help your content get seen by people who might link to it from their own websites, which is where the SEO benefit comes from.
How do you find link opportunities for a local business?
We start close to home: suppliers, trade bodies, local press, community groups, events you sponsor and businesses you already work with. These links are relevant, believable and far more valuable than random ones.
What is a disavow file?
It’s a list you can give Google of links you want ignored. Google already ignores most spammy links, so it’s rarely needed, but it can help if you’ve had a manual penalty or a history of paid links.
Questions about web design
Our web design servicesDo you build websites on WordPress?
Most of our sites are hand-coded in HTML, CSS and PHP, which keeps them fast, secure and easy to edit. If you need WordPress or Shopify for a specific reason, we can build on those too. Find out more about our web design services.
Will I own my website once it’s built?
Yes. Once it’s paid for, the website is yours outright and your domain stays yours. You’re never locked into keeping us to keep your site.
What do I need to have ready before my website project starts?
Your logo, a list of your services, any photos of your work and a few websites you like the look of. Don’t worry if you’re missing some of it, because we can help with all of them.
Do you write the words for my website?
Yes, if you’d like us to. We’ll ask you plenty of questions, then write pages that sound like your business and are set up to be found on Google.
Questions about the £180 trade website plan
See the £180 planWhat’s included in the £180 a month trade website plan?
A professional website designed, built and hosted for you, local SEO so you rank for your trade in your town, and email on your own domain. Mobile-first design, SSL security and enquiry forms wired to your inbox all come as standard. See the full trade website plan.
Is there a contract on the trade website plan?
No. It’s a monthly rolling plan with no setup fee, and you can cancel any time. There’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy.
How quickly can my trade website go live?
Usually within days rather than weeks. Send us your details, photos of your work and the areas you cover, and we’ll handle the rest.
Which trades is the £180 plan for?
Electricians, plumbers, joiners, bricklayers, decorators, plasterers, heating engineers, roofers, tilers, landscapers and similar local trades. If you work in your local area and want more enquiries, it’s built for you.
Questions about PPC and Google Ads
Our PPC servicesHow quickly do Google Ads start working?
Ads can show as soon as they’re approved, and the first enquiries often arrive within days. It usually takes four to six weeks of tuning before the cost of each enquiry settles. Our PPC services cover that tuning every month.
What is conversion tracking, and why does it matter?
It records when someone calls, fills in a form or books after clicking an ad. Without it, Google can’t tell which searches bring in customers, and you can’t either, so budget gets wasted on clicks that never turn into work.
Do you advertise anywhere other than Google?
Yes. Depending on who you sell to, we also run campaigns on Microsoft Advertising (Bing), Meta and LinkedIn. We’ll only suggest a platform if your customers actually use it.
Why are my Google Ads getting clicks but no calls?
Usually it’s keywords that are too broad, ads showing in the wrong areas, a landing page that doesn’t match the ad or tracking that isn’t counting calls. An account audit normally finds the leak quickly.
Questions about digital marketing
Our digital marketing servicesIs it better to use one agency for everything or a specialist for each channel?
One agency means one plan and one set of reports, with channels that support each other instead of competing for credit. Specialists can suit very large budgets. For most small businesses, joined-up digital marketing is simpler and better value.
How do I know if my marketing is working?
Look at enquiries, calls, sales and what each one costs you, not likes or impressions. If you can’t see where your customers come from, setting up tracking is the first job.
How much should a small business spend on marketing?
There’s no single right figure. Start with an amount you can keep up for three to six months, because most channels need time to show what they can do, then put more behind whatever brings in work.
Can you handle marketing for a business that isn’t near you?
Yes. We’re based in Scunthorpe, but most of our work happens over the phone, email and video calls, so we work with businesses right across the UK.
Still got a question?
Call us, send a message or drop in to the studio in Scunthorpe. You’ll get a straight answer, with no hard sell.
Questions about social media marketing
Our social media services →How often should my business post on social media?
Consistency beats volume. For most local businesses, two or three good posts a week is plenty, as long as they’re useful or show your work. Our social media services plan and schedule them for you.
Should I boost posts or run proper ads?
Boosting is quick but limited. Running campaigns in Meta’s Ads Manager gives you far better control over who sees your ads, what you’re paying for and what results you get.
Can I use my personal Facebook profile for my business?
It’s best not to. A business Page lets you run ads, see how posts perform and keep your personal life separate, and it’s what customers expect to find.
Can social media bring in work for a trade business?
Yes. Before and after photos, quick tips and local ads aimed at the towns you cover work well for trades, and they keep your name in mind for the next time someone needs the job doing.