If you’re running a local business, there’s one simple phrase that can drive a huge amount of traffic, calls and customers: “near me.”
Searches like “plumber near me,” “best café near me” or “electrician near me open now” happen thousands of times every day across the UK. These aren’t just casual searches – they come from people who are ready to book, buy or call.
In this guide, we’ll show you why ‘near me’ searches matter, how they work, and the exact steps you can take to make sure your business shows up when it counts.
Why ‘near me’ searches are a big deal
When someone types in or taps “near me” on their phone, they’re often ready to take action. These are high-intent searches. People want a fast solution close to home – and Google knows it.
Here’s what makes these searches powerful:
- They happen on mobile – usually when someone’s on the move or in a hurry
- They’re location-based – Google shows results near the user’s current position
- They’re action-driven – people are looking to call, visit or book right away
If your business isn’t showing up in these results, your competitors are getting the calls instead.
How Google decides who to show
When someone searches for “electrician near me,” Google looks at three main things:
- Relevance – does your business match what they’re looking for?
- Distance – how close is your business to the searcher?
- Prominence – how well-known and trusted is your business online?
You can’t control how close you are to someone at the time of the search, but you can control how relevant and prominent your business is.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile
This is the single most important step for showing up in ‘near me’ searches. Your Google Business Profile is what powers those map results, local listings and info panels.
To optimise your profile:
- Make sure your business name, category and address are correct
- Add a local phone number and website link
- Write a clear description with local keywords (e.g. “emergency plumber in Leeds”)
- Upload real, high-quality photos of your work, premises or team
- Add your services, opening hours and booking options
- Keep it updated regularly with posts and offers
2. Get reviews and respond to them
Google favours businesses with strong review profiles. The more positive, recent reviews you have, the more likely you are to show up.
Ask happy customers to leave a review and always respond – even to the short ones. It shows Google (and potential customers) that you’re active and trustworthy.
3. Optimise your website for local SEO
Make sure your website includes:
- Your town or city in titles, headings and page content
- A dedicated contact page with your address and map
- A clear mention of the services you offer and where
- Fast loading and mobile-friendly design
You should also embed a map on your site and link to your Google Business Profile.
4. Add location pages if you serve multiple areas
If you cover more than one area, create separate pages for each one. For example:
- /roofing-services-manchester
- /roofing-services-stockport
Each page should have:
- Unique content about your services in that location
- Mentions of local landmarks, streets or neighbourhoods
- Local testimonials or project examples if possible
Google will rank each page more easily if it’s clearly tied to a specific place.
5. Use ‘near me’ language in your content (naturally)
You can use phrases like:
- “If you’re looking for a reliable electrician near you…”
- “We’re one of the top-rated plumbers near me in the Birmingham area”
Just don’t overdo it. One or two mentions per page is enough. Always write for humans first, search engines second.
6. Be active on local directories
List your business on popular UK directories like:
- Yell
- Yelp
- FreeIndex
- Thomson Local
- Checkatrade (if relevant)
Make sure your name, address and phone number match exactly across all listings. Google uses this consistency to verify your business.
7. Improve site speed and mobile usability
‘Near me’ searches are done mostly on phones. If your site is slow, hard to read or awkward to use, people (and Google) won’t stick around.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your site. Fix any issues with loading times, images or mobile layout.
8. Write blog content that supports your local presence
Create helpful posts that include local terms, tips or service info. Ideas include:
- “How to find the best roofer near me in Leicester”
- “Top 5 plumbing tips for Bristol homeowners”
- “What to expect from a boiler service in Nottingham”
This helps Google understand your local focus and gives you more chances to show up in searches.
9. Use schema markup (if possible)
Schema is a bit of behind-the-scenes code that helps Google understand your business. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Rank Math or Yoast can help you add local schema easily.
It won’t change how your site looks but can improve your visibility in search.
10. Keep everything up to date
Make sure your contact details, opening hours and service areas are always correct. Outdated info can confuse Google and frustrate potential customers.
Even small changes like new holiday hours or new services can make a difference in search results.
Final thoughts
‘Near me’ searches are one of the fastest-growing ways people find local businesses. And they often lead to action – phone calls, bookings and new customers.
The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or fancy tools to show up. Just a few key actions – like setting up your Google Business Profile, getting reviews, and using local content – can help you rise above your competition.
At Strategy8, we help small businesses across the UK get found online, book more jobs and grow with affordable websites and local SEO. Want to find out where you stand in ‘near me’ searches? Get in touch today for a free review.
