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Paying for ads can work, but it is a hard way to grow if it is the only thing bringing in customers.

The problem with ads is simple. The moment you stop paying, the leads stop coming in. You are renting attention every single day, and if the cost per click goes up, your competitors spend more, or the campaign has a bad month, your enquiries can drop quickly.

For a local business, that can become frustrating. You might be spending money every month just to keep the phone ringing, but never really building anything that makes the business stronger long term.

That is why Local SEO is one of the best ways to get more customers without relying on ads.

Unlike paid ads, SEO compounds over time. The work you do this month can still help your business next month, next year and beyond. A well optimised Google Business Profile, strong service pages, good reviews, local content and authority signals can keep bringing in calls long after the work has been done.

You are not paying every time someone clicks. You are building visibility in the places customers already search.

Why relying only on ads is risky

Ads are not bad. For some businesses, they can be a useful way to bring in enquiries quickly.

The issue is when ads become the only reliable source of leads.

If your business depends on Google Ads, Facebook Ads or paid directories for most of its enquiries, you are always one bad month away from a problem. Costs can rise, campaigns can slow down, competitors can bid more aggressively, and the quality of leads can change.

You may also find yourself paying for clicks from people who are not ready to buy, not in your area, or not looking for the exact service you offer.

For local service businesses, that can get expensive quickly.

A roofer does not just want clicks. They want roof repair enquiries, replacement jobs, flat roofing leads and emergency calls from people in the areas they actually cover.

A plumber does not just want traffic. They want calls from people who need leaks fixed, bathrooms fitted, boilers repaired or urgent plumbing help.

A landscaper does not just want website visits. They want quote requests from people who are ready to spend money on their garden.

That is the problem with relying only on ads. You are paying for access to customers, but you are not always building a long term source of enquiries.

SEO builds an asset instead of renting attention

SEO is different because it helps you build something that can keep working.

When your website ranks for the right services and your business appears in Google Maps, you are creating visibility that does not disappear the moment you stop spending on ads.

That is the real benefit.

A good service page can bring in enquiries for months or years. A strong Google Business Profile can keep generating calls. Reviews can keep helping customers trust you. Local content can help you appear in more areas. Links and citations can strengthen your business online over time.

This is why SEO compounds.

The first few months are usually about building the foundations. Your website may need better service pages, your Google Business Profile may need optimising, your reviews may need improving, and your local signals may need strengthening.

But once those foundations are in place, every extra improvement adds to the work already done.

More reviews make the profile stronger.

Better pages help Google understand your services.

More local authority makes the site more trusted.

Better rankings bring more visitors.

More visitors can turn into more calls.

That is how SEO starts to become a real growth channel instead of just another marketing cost.

Customers are already searching for your services

One of the biggest advantages of SEO is that you are not interrupting people.

You are appearing when they are already looking.

If someone searches for a roofer, plumber, electrician, builder, pest control company, landscaper, pressure washing business, personal trainer, dog groomer or another local service, they usually have a problem they want solved.

They are not scrolling for entertainment. They are actively looking for a business that can help them.

That makes Google one of the strongest places to be visible.

The customer has intent. They know what they need. They are comparing local options. If your business appears near the top, has strong reviews, a good website and a clear way to contact you, you have a much better chance of winning the enquiry.

This is why SEO works so well for local businesses.

It puts you in front of people at the moment they are most likely to take action.

Google Maps can bring in high intent calls

For local businesses, Google Maps is often one of the biggest opportunities.

When someone searches for a service nearby, Google will often show the Map Pack near the top of the results. This is the section that shows local businesses, reviews, phone numbers, locations and directions.

If your business appears there, you are much more visible.

If you do not, the calls often go to competitors.

A strong Google Business Profile can help you get more calls without paying for every click. But it needs to be set up properly. Your categories, services, photos, reviews, opening hours, description, service areas and website all play a part.

A lot of businesses have a profile, but it is not really working for them. It has old photos, missing services, weak reviews or a vague description. It exists, but it is not helping them win enough work.

That is where local SEO makes a difference.

Instead of just having a profile, you turn it into a proper lead generation asset.

Your website needs to do more than look good

A nice looking website is not enough.

Plenty of local businesses have websites that look professional but still do not bring in leads. The problem is usually that the site has not been built around how people search.

If you are a roofer, your website should clearly explain your roofing services. If you are a plumber, it should have proper pages for the plumbing work you want more of. If you are an electrician, builder, landscaper or pest control company, your website should make it obvious what you do, where you work and why someone should contact you.

One generic services page is usually not enough.

Google needs clear information. Customers do too.

If someone lands on your site looking for a specific service, they should quickly see that you offer it, understand why they should trust you, and know exactly how to get in touch.

That is how your website becomes part of the sales process.

It is not just a brochure. It should help turn searches into enquiries.

Reviews help you win the call

Getting found is only half the battle.

People still need to trust you.

That is why reviews are such a big part of local SEO. When someone sees your business on Google, they will usually look at your rating, review count and recent feedback before they call.

If your competitors have more reviews, better reviews and more recent reviews, they may look like the safer choice.

This matters even more for service businesses, because customers are often letting someone into their home, trusting them with an important job, or spending a decent amount of money.

A strong review profile can help remove doubt.

It shows that real people have used your business and had a good experience. It also helps your Google Business Profile look more active and trustworthy.

The best local businesses do not leave reviews to chance. They build a simple process for asking happy customers at the right time.

SEO helps reduce your dependency on referrals

Referrals are great, but they are not always predictable.

A lot of local businesses say most of their work comes from word of mouth. That is good because it means people trust you, but it can also hold the business back if referrals are the only thing bringing in leads.

You cannot control when someone recommends you. You cannot control how many referrals come in next month. You cannot control whether the people being referred are the type of customers you actually want.

SEO gives you another source of enquiries.

It helps people find you even if they have never heard of you before.

That means you are not just waiting for someone to recommend you. You are showing up when people are actively searching for your services.

For local businesses that want more consistent growth, that is a big difference.

SEO does not mean ignoring ads completely

This does not mean ads are useless.

For some businesses, ads can still be part of the strategy. They can help you get quick visibility, test offers, promote a new service or bring in enquiries while SEO is still building.

The mistake is relying on ads alone.

A stronger approach is to use SEO to build long term visibility, then use ads only when they make sense.

That way, you are not trapped in a position where the business depends on paid traffic every month. You have organic visibility working in the background, bringing in calls from people already searching for what you do.

Over time, this can make your marketing more stable and less stressful.

What should a local SEO campaign include?

A good local SEO campaign should not be vague.

It should be built around getting more calls, more enquiries and more booked jobs.

That usually means improving your Google Business Profile, building or improving service pages, making your website easier to use, increasing reviews, improving local authority, fixing citations, adding useful local content and tracking what is actually bringing in leads.

The campaign should also focus on the services that matter most to your business.

There is no point ranking for searches that do not bring in good customers. A local SEO strategy should be built around the jobs you actually want more of.

For example, a roofing company may want more roof replacement and repair enquiries. A plumber may want more emergency jobs or bathroom plumbing enquiries. A landscaper may want bigger garden projects rather than small one-off jobs.

SEO works best when it is tied to real business goals.

SEO takes time, but that is why it is valuable

SEO is not instant.

You are not going to optimise a website today and suddenly dominate Google tomorrow. It takes time for Google to trust the changes, understand your site, recognise your authority and reward the work.

But that is also why SEO is valuable.

Because once it starts working, it can keep building.

Ads can bring enquiries quickly, but they stop when the budget stops. SEO takes longer, but the work can continue to pay off over time.

That is the trade off.

If you need leads tomorrow, ads might help. If you want a stronger business in 3, 6 or 12 months, SEO is usually the better long term play.

The best time to start is before you desperately need it.

Need help getting more customers without paying for ads?

If you are fed up with relying on ads, referrals or word of mouth, SEO can help you build a more consistent source of local enquiries.

At Weeare, we help local service businesses improve their visibility in Google Maps and organic search, so they can get more calls from people already looking for their services.

We work on your Google Business Profile, website, reviews, service pages, local authority and tracking, so your business has a stronger chance of being found when customers are ready to buy.

If you want to get more customers without paying for every click, local SEO is one of the best ways to build that long term.

If you are looking for SEO services in Merthyr Tydfil, there is a good chance you do not just want better rankings. You want more phone calls, more quote requests and more booked jobs from people who are already searching for what you do.

That matters even more if you are a tradesman or service business. If you are a roofer, plumber, electrician, builder, landscaper, painter, flooring contractor, pest control company, pressure washing business or another local trade, your customers are often going straight to Google when they need help.

They are not browsing for fun. They have a leak, a broken boiler, a garden that needs sorting, a roof that needs repairing, a room that needs painting, or a job they need done properly.

Local SEO helps your business appear at that exact moment.

You are not trying to convince someone who does not need you. You are trying to show up when someone has a problem, searches on Google, and is ready to call a local business.

For trades, that can be the difference between waiting for referrals and having a steady flow of people finding you through Google.

Why local SEO matters for tradesmen

Most people do not have a roofer, plumber or electrician saved in their phone until they need one. When something goes wrong, they usually search online.

Someone has a leak, they search for a plumber. Someone needs a new roof, they search for a roofer. Someone wants a garden cleared, a driveway cleaned, a room painted or a fuse board replaced, they go to Google and look for someone local.

This is why local SEO is so valuable for tradesmen. It helps your business appear when the customer is already looking for the exact service you offer.

If your business appears in the Google Map Pack or near the top of the results, you have a much better chance of getting the call. If you are not visible, the enquiry usually goes to someone else.

This matters because local trade enquiries are often high intent. The person searching usually needs the job done, and in many cases they need it done soon. If your business looks trustworthy, local and easy to contact, you are in a much stronger position to win that work.

Your Google Business Profile needs to be treated like a sales asset

A lot of tradesmen have a Google Business Profile, but they do not treat it like something that can generate work.

It might have an old photo, a few reviews, basic opening hours and a short description that has not been touched in years. The problem is that customers are judging your business from that profile before they ever speak to you.

Your profile should clearly show what you do, where you work and why someone should trust you. That means choosing the right business category, adding your services properly, uploading recent photos, keeping your opening hours accurate and making sure your phone number and website are correct.

If you are a roofer in Merthyr Tydfil, your profile should not just say “roofing contractor”. It should help Google and customers understand the type of work you want more of, whether that is roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofing, guttering, chimney repairs or emergency roofing.

The same applies to plumbers, electricians, builders, landscapers and other trades. The more clearly your profile explains your business, the easier it is for Google to understand when to show you.

It also helps customers make a decision quicker. If they can see your services, photos, reviews and contact details without having to dig around, you make it easier for them to call.

Build proper service pages on your website

One of the biggest mistakes trade businesses make is trying to rank with one generic services page.

A plumber might have one page that says they offer plumbing services. A roofer might have one page that says they cover all aspects of roofing. An electrician might have a homepage with a short list of services and nothing more.

That is usually not enough.

If you want to rank for specific services, your website needs to explain those services properly. A roofer may need separate pages for roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofs, emergency roofing, gutter repairs and chimney work. A plumber may need pages for emergency plumbing, leak repairs, bathroom plumbing, boiler repairs and general plumbing services.

This helps Google understand what you offer, but it also helps customers. If someone lands on a page that speaks directly to the job they need doing, they are more likely to trust you and get in touch.

Your website should not just exist to look professional. It should help turn local searches into enquiries.

For a trade business, the best pages are usually the ones built around the services that actually make money. There is no point ranking for general terms if the enquiries are poor quality. Your site should be built around the work you want more of.

Mention the areas you actually cover

Most tradesmen do not only work in one town centre. If you are based in or around Merthyr Tydfil, you may also cover areas like Dowlais, Pant, Troedyrhiw, Cefn Coed, Aberfan, Pentrebach, Merthyr Vale, Treharris, Trelewis, Bedlinog, Nelson, Quakers Yard, Abercanaid and Heolgerrig.

Your website should make that clear.

This does not mean stuffing every town name into every sentence. It means naturally explaining the areas you work in, adding relevant local content, and making sure your service area is obvious to both Google and potential customers.

For example, if you are a landscaper who works across Merthyr and the surrounding villages, say that. If you are a plumber who regularly covers Treharris and Aberfan, mention it naturally. If you are a roofer taking on jobs across Dowlais, Pant and Troedyrhiw, your site should reflect that.

Customers want to know you cover their area before they call. Google also needs to understand where your business is relevant.

This is especially useful for trades because your best jobs might not all come from the same place. You might be based in Merthyr but want more work in Treharris, Aberfan, Troedyrhiw or the smaller areas around the town. Local SEO should support the real way your business operates.

Get reviews from real customers

Reviews are massive for tradesmen because people want to know they can trust you before letting you into their home or paying for work.

A strong review profile can make your business look safer, more established and more reliable. It can also help you stand out in the Google Map Pack.

The problem is that most tradesmen do not ask for reviews consistently. They finish the job, the customer is happy, and then everyone moves on. That means a lot of good feedback never makes it onto Google.

You need a simple process. When a job is finished and the customer is happy, ask them to leave a review. Make it easy for them. Send the link. Do it while the job is still fresh in their mind.

Over time, this builds trust. A business with regular, recent reviews will usually look stronger than a competitor with a few old reviews from years ago.

Reviews also help future customers understand what you are like to deal with. If people mention that you turned up on time, communicated well, cleaned up properly, charged fairly or solved the problem quickly, that can make a big difference when someone is choosing who to call.

Add real photos of your work

Photos are one of the easiest ways to make your business look more active and trustworthy.

For tradesmen, there should be no shortage of photo opportunities. Roofers can show completed roofs, repairs and before and after shots. Landscapers can show garden transformations. Builders can show extensions and renovation work. Painters can show finished rooms. Pressure washing businesses can show driveways, patios and exterior cleaning results.

These photos can be added to your Google Business Profile and used on your website.

This helps customers see the quality of your work before they call. It also makes your business look real, active and local.

Stock photos do not do the same job. People want to see proof that you actually do the work.

If your competitors are using generic images and you are showing real jobs from Merthyr Tydfil and nearby areas, your business will usually feel more trustworthy.

Make your website easy to use

A lot of trade websites make it harder than it needs to be for customers to get in touch.

The phone number is too small. The contact form is buried. The services are unclear. There are no strong reviews or examples of work. The website might look okay, but it does not help someone make a decision quickly.

That is a problem because local customers are often impatient. If someone needs a roofer or plumber, they do not want to hunt around your site to find out whether you can help.

Your website should make the next step obvious. Your phone number should be easy to find, your services should be clear, and your trust signals should be visible. Reviews, photos, accreditations, guarantees and examples of previous work can all help someone feel confident enough to contact you.

A good trade website should not just look nice. It should help you book more jobs.

This is where a lot of local businesses lose leads without realising. They may be getting visitors, but the website is not doing enough to turn those visitors into phone calls.

Keep your business details consistent online

Google needs to trust that your business information is accurate.

That means your name, address, phone number and website should be consistent across the web. If your details are different on directories, social profiles or old listings, it can create confusion.

This is where citations come in. Citations are mentions of your business information on other websites, such as directories and local business platforms.

For a trade business, they help confirm that your company is real, established and connected to the area you serve.

They are not the most exciting part of SEO, but they do matter. If your competitors have stronger local trust signals and your details are messy or missing, it can make it harder to compete.

It also makes your business look more professional. If your details are consistent everywhere, customers and Google have fewer reasons to doubt whether the information is correct.

Do not rely only on word of mouth

Word of mouth is great, but it is not always consistent.

A lot of tradesmen in Merthyr Tydfil get work from referrals, repeat customers, Facebook groups or recommendations. There is nothing wrong with that, but if that is your only source of leads, your business can be unpredictable.

Local SEO gives you another way to generate enquiries.

It helps people find you even if they have never heard of your business before. That means you are not only waiting for someone to recommend you. You are showing up when people are actively searching for your service.

For tradesmen, that can be a much more reliable way to bring in work over time.

It also gives you more control. Instead of hoping the phone rings, you are building a system that helps your business appear in front of local customers again and again.

Track what is actually bringing in enquiries

There is no point doing SEO if you have no idea whether it is working.

You should be able to see whether your rankings are improving, whether your Google Business Profile is getting more calls, whether your website is getting more enquiries, and which services are bringing in the best leads.

The goal is not just more traffic. It is more booked jobs.

That is why tracking matters. If you know what is working, you can do more of it. If something is not working, you can fix it instead of guessing.

For tradesmen, this is important because not every enquiry is equal. A small repair job and a full replacement job are not worth the same. Your local SEO should be focused on the services that actually make a difference to your business.

If you want more profitable work, your SEO campaign should be built around that from the start.

Need help with local SEO for tradesmen in Merthyr Tydfil?

If you are a tradesman in Merthyr Tydfil and you are not getting enough enquiries from Google, your website, Google Business Profile or local SEO setup may be holding you back.

At Weeare, we help local service businesses improve their visibility in Google Maps and local search, so they can get more calls from people already looking for their services.

If you want a done-for-you campaign, our SEO Merthyr Tydfil service is built for local businesses that want more calls, more enquiries and more booked jobs from Google.

Most local businesses do not need more vague “brand awareness”. They need more phone calls from people who are actually looking for their services.

That is why Google Maps matters so much for businesses in Merthyr Tydfil. When someone searches for a roofer, plumber, electrician, builder, landscaper, pest control company or another local service, they are usually ready to take action. They are not casually browsing. They need help, they want someone nearby, and they are likely to call one of the businesses they see first.

For many local searches, the Google Map Pack appears above the normal website results. This means that before someone even reaches the usual organic listings, they are already seeing local businesses, reviews, phone numbers, locations and directions. If your business is showing there, you have a much better chance of getting the enquiry. If it is not, there is a good chance your competitors are getting the calls that could have been yours.

Why Google Maps matters for local businesses in Merthyr Tydfil

The way people find local businesses has changed. Years ago, someone might have asked around, looked in a local directory, or waited for a recommendation. That still happens, but now a huge number of customers go straight to Google.

If they need a service quickly, they will usually search for something like “plumber near me”, “roofer Merthyr Tydfil”, “electrician near Dowlais” or “landscaper near Aberfan”. Google then shows local results based on relevance, location, trust and the strength of each business online.

That is why your Google Maps visibility can have a direct impact on how many calls your business receives. You are not trying to interrupt people with ads or convince someone who is not interested. You are trying to appear in front of people at the exact moment they are looking for what you offer.

For service businesses, this is where a lot of the best leads come from. Someone searching on Google Maps is often closer to making a decision than someone scrolling on social media. They have a problem, they need it solved, and they are looking for a local company that looks reliable enough to contact.

Your Google Business Profile needs to be properly set up

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most important parts of showing up in Google Maps. This is the listing that shows your business name, reviews, phone number, opening hours, photos, services and location information.

A lot of businesses already have a profile, but that does not mean it is working properly. Many profiles are half complete, have the wrong categories, missing services, old photos, weak descriptions, or no clear service areas. If your profile does not clearly explain what you do and where you work, Google has less confidence in when to show your business.

For example, if you are a roofing company in Merthyr Tydfil, your profile should make it clear that you offer roof repairs, roof replacements, flat roofing, emergency roofing and any other services you want more enquiries for. If you are a plumber, your profile should clearly show whether you offer emergency plumbing, leak repairs, bathroom plumbing, boiler work or general plumbing services.

This sounds basic, but a lot of local businesses get it wrong. They set up the profile once, leave it untouched for years, and then wonder why other companies are ranking above them.

Reviews help turn searchers into callers

Getting seen on Google Maps is one thing. Getting the person to actually call you is another.

That is where reviews make a big difference. When someone sees three or four local businesses in the Map Pack, one of the first things they look at is the review count and rating. If one business has 100 strong reviews and another has 8, the business with more reviews will often look like the safer choice.

This does not mean you need hundreds of reviews overnight. It means you need a consistent process for getting them from happy customers. Most people will not leave a review unless they are asked, even if they were happy with the work. So if you are not asking, you are probably missing out.

For local service businesses in Merthyr Tydfil, reviews can make a real difference. A roofer, plumber, builder, electrician or landscaper with recent, genuine reviews will usually look more trustworthy than a business with very little feedback or reviews from years ago.

Reviews also help customers understand what you are actually good at. If your reviews mention quick response times, good communication, clean work, fair pricing or reliable service, that can give someone the confidence to call you instead of a competitor.

Photos make your business look active

Photos are another area most local businesses ignore.

Your Google Business Profile should not look like it has been abandoned. If the last photo on your profile was uploaded two years ago, it can make the business look inactive, even if you are busy every week.

For service businesses, adding photos should be easy. Roofers can upload finished roofs, repairs, flat roofing jobs and before and after shots. Landscapers can show garden transformations. Builders can show extensions, renovations and completed work. Plumbers and electricians can show real jobs, vans, tools, team photos and examples of work completed in the local area.

This helps in two ways. First, it makes your profile look more active and trustworthy. Second, it gives potential customers more confidence before they call.

If you cover Merthyr Tydfil and nearby areas like Dowlais, Pant, Troedyrhiw, Cefn Coed, Aberfan, Pentrebach, Merthyr Vale, Treharris, Trelewis, Bedlinog, Nelson or Quakers Yard, photos from real jobs in those areas can also help show that you are genuinely active locally.

Your website supports your Google Maps rankings

Some business owners think Google Maps SEO is only about the Google Business Profile. It is not.

Your website still matters.

Google uses your website to better understand your business, your services and the areas you cover. If your website is thin, vague or badly structured, it can make it harder for your Google Business Profile to perform well.

A common problem is having one generic page that tries to cover everything. For example, a roofer might have one page that says they offer “all aspects of roofing” but does not properly explain roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofing, chimney repairs, guttering or emergency roofing. A plumber might have one short plumbing page instead of clearly explaining the main services they want to be found for.

That makes it harder for Google to understand what searches your business should appear for.

A better approach is to build clear service pages around the work that actually brings in revenue. If you want more boiler repair enquiries, you need a strong boiler repair page. If you want more roof replacement jobs, you need a proper roof replacement page. If you want more landscaping work, your site needs to show what type of landscaping services you offer.

Your Google Business Profile and website should work together. The profile helps you appear in Maps, but the website backs it up with stronger detail, service relevance and trust.

Mention the areas you cover naturally

If you want calls from across Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding towns and villages, your website should make that clear.

That does not mean stuffing place names into every paragraph. It means writing naturally about the areas you serve and making sure customers can see that you cover their location.

For example, if you work across Merthyr Tydfil, you may also want to mention areas like Dowlais, Pant, Troedyrhiw, Cefn Coed, Aberfan, Georgetown, Penydarren, Pentrebach, Merthyr Vale, Treharris, Trelewis, Bedlinog, Nelson, Quakers Yard, Abercanaid and Heolgerrig.

This is useful for Google, but it is also useful for customers. Someone in Aberfan or Treharris may want to know whether you cover their area before they bother calling. If your website only talks about Merthyr Tydfil town centre, they might assume you do not work where they are.

Local SEO works best when your website reflects the real areas your business serves.

Make it easy for people to call you

Getting visibility is only part of the job. Once someone finds you, they need to be able to contact you quickly.

This sounds obvious, but a lot of local business websites make it harder than it needs to be. The phone number is hidden, the contact form is too long, the buttons are not clear, or there is no strong reason for someone to get in touch.

If someone lands on your website from Google Maps, they are probably already interested. Do not make them work to find your details.

Your phone number should be easy to see. Your contact buttons should be clear. Your services should be easy to understand. Your reviews, photos, accreditations, guarantees or examples of work should help build trust quickly.

The goal is not just to get more people onto your website. The goal is to turn more of those visitors into enquiries.

Track the calls, not just the rankings

A lot of businesses focus too much on rankings and not enough on leads.

Rankings matter, but they are not the final result. The real question is whether your business is getting more calls, more quote requests and more booked jobs.

That is why tracking is important. If your Google Business Profile is getting more views but no extra calls, something might be wrong with the profile, reviews, photos, offer or website. If one service page is getting traffic but no enquiries, the page might need improving. If you are ranking in one area but invisible in another, that tells you where the opportunity is.

Without tracking, you are guessing. With tracking, you can see what is working and what needs to be improved.

For local SEO, this matters because the aim is not to look busy in a report. The aim is to get more customers contacting your business.

The businesses that win are usually the most consistent

Google Maps SEO is not about doing one thing once and expecting the phone to ring forever.

The businesses that tend to win are the ones that do the basics consistently. They keep their Google Business Profile updated, get regular reviews, add photos, build proper service pages, improve their website, keep their business details consistent online and continue strengthening their local authority.

Most competitors do not do all of this properly. Some have a decent website but a weak Google Business Profile. Others have good reviews but poor service pages. Some have been around for years but have barely touched their online presence.

That is where the opportunity is.

If your competitors are relying on the fact they have always been busy, you can often beat them by being more active, more relevant and more trusted online.

Need help with Google Maps SEO in Merthyr Tydfil?

If your business is not getting enough calls from Google Maps, there is a good chance your profile, website or local SEO setup is holding you back.

At Weeare, we help local service businesses improve their visibility in Google Maps and local search, so they can get more calls from people already looking for their services.

If you want help improving your visibility in Google Maps, our SEO Merthyr Tydfil service is built to help local businesses get more calls from search.

If you run a business in Merthyr Tydfil and you are not showing up on Google, there is a good chance your competitors are getting the calls that should have been yours.

This is especially true for service businesses.

When someone searches for a roofer, plumber, electrician, builder, landscaper, pest control company, pressure washing business, dog groomer, personal trainer or another local service, they usually do not spend hours comparing every option.

They search on Google, look at the businesses that appear near the top, check the reviews, and make an enquiry.

If your business is not appearing in those results, you are invisible at the exact moment people are ready to buy.

The good news is that this can usually be fixed.

Here are some of the most common reasons your Merthyr Tydfil business is not showing up on Google.

Your Google Business Profile is incomplete

Your Google Business Profile is one of the biggest parts of local SEO.

This is the profile that can appear in Google Maps and the local Map Pack when someone searches for a service near them.

If your profile is incomplete, weak or badly optimised, Google may not have enough confidence in your business to show it for important local searches.

Common problems include:

• The wrong primary category
• Missing services
• Weak business description
• No recent photos
• No service areas added
• Inconsistent opening hours
• Few or no reviews
• No regular updates

For example, if you are a roofer in Merthyr Tydfil but your profile does not clearly show the roofing services you offer, the areas you cover, and proof that you are active, Google may choose another business instead.

Your Google Business Profile should make it obvious what you do, where you work, and why customers should trust you.

Your website does not clearly explain your services

A lot of local businesses have websites that look fine on the surface but do not give Google enough information.

Your website needs to clearly explain your main services.

If you are a plumber, you should not just have one short page saying you offer plumbing services. You may need separate pages for emergency plumbing, boiler repairs, bathroom plumbing, leak detection, water heater repairs and any other services that matter to your business.

The same applies to roofers, electricians, builders, landscapers and other local companies.

Google needs to understand exactly what you offer.

If your competitors have clear service pages and you only have a generic homepage, they may have a better chance of ranking for those searches.

You are not targeting the right local areas

Local SEO is not just about saying you are based in Merthyr Tydfil.

Many businesses also want enquiries from nearby areas such as Dowlais, Pant, Troedyrhiw, Cefn Coed, Aberfan, Pentrebach, Merthyr Vale, Treharris, Trelewis, Bedlinog, Nelson, Quakers Yard and Heolgerrig.

If your website and Google Business Profile do not mention the areas you actually serve, you may miss out on searches from people nearby.

This does not mean stuffing town names onto every page.

It means building your local relevance naturally.

For example, a local service page might explain that you work across Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding areas. Case studies, project pages, testimonials and location content can also help show Google where your business is active.

You do not have enough strong reviews

Reviews matter for two reasons.

First, they help potential customers decide whether to trust you.

Second, they can support your local SEO.

If your competitors have more reviews, better ratings and more recent feedback, they may look like the safer choice.

This is especially important in trades and service industries where customers want to know they are hiring someone reliable.

A business with 95 reviews and recent photos will usually look more trustworthy than a business with 6 reviews and no updates for two years.

If you are not asking happy customers for reviews, you are probably making local SEO harder than it needs to be.

Your competitors have stronger local authority

Local SEO is not only about your website and Google Business Profile.

Google also looks at trust signals from across the web.

These can include business directories, citations, local mentions, backlinks, social profiles and other signs that your business is real and established.

If your competitors are listed consistently across trusted websites and your business details are missing or inconsistent, that can hold you back.

Your name, address, phone number and website should be accurate wherever your business appears online.

Even small inconsistencies can create confusion.

Your website content is too thin

Thin content is one of the biggest problems on local business websites.

This usually means pages that are too short, too vague or too similar to every other local business.

For example, a page that simply says:

“We offer professional roofing services in Merthyr Tydfil. Contact us today for a quote.”

That is not enough.

Your pages should explain what you do, who you help, the problems you solve, the areas you cover, and why someone should choose your business.

The more useful and specific your content is, the easier it is for Google and potential customers to understand your business.

Your website is not built to turn visitors into enquiries

Getting found on Google is only half the job.

Your website also needs to convert visitors into calls and enquiries.

If people land on your site and cannot quickly find your phone number, services, reviews or contact form, they may leave and choose another business.

A strong local SEO website should make it easy for people to take action.

That means clear calls to action, visible contact details, strong trust signals, service pages, testimonials and a simple layout.

The goal is not just more traffic.

The goal is more booked jobs.

You are relying too much on word of mouth

Word of mouth is powerful, but it is not predictable.

A lot of local businesses in Merthyr Tydfil rely on referrals, repeat customers or Facebook recommendations.

That can work, but it also means growth is often inconsistent.

Local SEO gives your business another channel.

It helps you appear when people are actively searching for your services, even if they have never heard of you before.

That is what makes Google so valuable.

People searching there usually already need the service.

What should you fix first?

If your Merthyr Tydfil business is not showing up on Google, start with the basics.

Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete.
Make sure your services are clearly listed.
Make sure your website explains what you do.
Make sure your reviews are improving.
Make sure your business details are consistent online.
Make sure your site is targeting the areas you actually serve.

Once those foundations are in place, you can start building stronger content, local authority and ongoing visibility.

Need help with SEO in Merthyr Tydfil?

If your business is not appearing where it should, our SEO Merthyr Tydfil service can help you improve your Google visibility and bring in more local enquiries.

We help local service businesses improve their Google Business Profile, website, local rankings, reviews and overall search visibility, so they can generate more calls from people already looking for their services.

Roofing is one of those trades where people usually search when they already need help.

They have a leak.
They need a roof repair.
They want a quote for a new roof.
They have storm damage.
They need someone local, reliable and available.

That makes Google one of the most valuable places for your roofing company to show up.

The problem is, a lot of roofing companies are invisible in the places that matter most.

They might have a website.
They might have a Google Business Profile.
They might even get the odd enquiry from Google.

But they are still losing jobs every week because competitors are showing up above them in the Map Pack, looking more trustworthy, and making it easier for customers to get in touch.

Google says local rankings are based on things like relevance, distance and prominence, which basically means Google is trying to work out who you are, what you do, where you do it, and how trusted your business appears to be.

So if your roofing business is not sending the right local SEO signals, Google has very little reason to put you ahead of the roofer down the road.

Here are five common Local SEO problems that could be stopping your roofing business from booking more jobs.

1. Your Google Business Profile is too thin

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing people see before they ever visit your website.

For many roofing searches, it is more important than your homepage.

If someone searches “roofer near me” or “roof repair in Cardiff”, they are likely looking at the Map Pack first. That means your profile needs to do a lot of the selling before the customer clicks anywhere else.

The issue is that many roofing companies treat their Google Business Profile like a directory listing.

They add the business name, phone number, website, maybe a couple of photos, and then leave it alone for months.

That is not enough.

A weak roofing profile usually has problems like:

The wrong main category.
Missing secondary categories.
No proper list of roofing services.
Generic business description.
Old or low quality photos.
No regular posts.
No service areas properly added.
No strong proof that the company is active.

For a roofer, this matters because Google needs to understand what type of roofing work you actually do.

Do you offer roof repairs?
Flat roofing?
Slate roofing?
Tile roofing?
Emergency roof repairs?
Chimney repairs?
Leadwork?
Guttering?
Commercial roofing?
New roof installations?

If your profile does not make that clear, you are relying on Google to guess.

And when Google has to guess, your competitors usually win.

A properly optimised roofing Google Business Profile should be built like a sales asset. It should make it obvious what you do, where you work, and why someone should trust you.

Your photos should show real jobs, real vans, real team members, real before and after work, and real roofing projects. Not just a logo and one photo from five years ago.

Your services section should be filled out properly. Your business description should mention your core roofing services and locations naturally. Your posts should show that the business is still active.

This is not about stuffing keywords everywhere. It is about making your profile useful, complete and convincing.

2. Your website does not support your Google Maps rankings

A lot of roofers think their Google Business Profile and their website are two separate things.

They are not.

Your website helps Google understand your business. It gives context to your Google Business Profile. It shows what services you offer, which locations you serve, and whether you have enough useful content to deserve visibility.

One of the biggest problems I see with roofing websites is that everything is crammed onto one page.

You will see a homepage that says something like:

“We offer roofing, roof repairs, flat roofs, gutters, fascias, soffits, chimney repairs and more across the local area.”

That might sound fine to a customer, but from an SEO point of view, it is weak.

If you want to rank for roof repairs, you should have a proper roof repairs page.

If you want to rank for flat roofing, you should have a proper flat roofing page.

If you want to rank for emergency roofer searches, you should have a proper emergency roof repairs page.

Each important service needs its own page.

Not a thin page with three lines of text. A proper page that explains the service, common problems, signs the customer needs help, your process, locations covered, FAQs, and why your company is a good choice.

This helps Google connect your business to more specific roofing searches.

It also helps customers.

Someone with a leaking flat roof does not want to read a generic page about all roofing services. They want to know if you can fix flat roofs, how quickly you can help, what signs to look for, and how to get a quote.

Google also provides guidance around structured data for local businesses, which can help search engines understand details like business hours, location and other business information on your website.

That does not mean schema alone will rank your roofing company. It will not.

But when your website is properly structured, your service pages are clear, your internal links make sense, and your local business information is consistent, you are giving Google a much stronger picture of your roofing business.

If your Google Business Profile says you offer flat roofing, but your website barely mentions flat roofing, that is a weak signal.

If your profile, service pages, photos, reviews and content all support the same message, that is much stronger.

3. You are not building location relevance properly

Most roofing companies do not just want jobs in one tiny area.

They want to cover a wider patch.

That might be one town, several nearby towns, a whole county, or a group of suburbs around their main location.

The problem is that many roofing websites say they cover these areas, but they do not prove it.

They might have a small line in the footer saying:

“Serving Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry and surrounding areas.”

That is better than nothing, but it is not a serious local SEO strategy.

If you want to rank in different towns and areas, you need to build location relevance properly.

That usually means creating strong location pages for the areas you actually serve.

But this is where people get it wrong.

They create 30 copied and pasted town pages where only the place name changes.

That is cookie cutter SEO. It is lazy. And in competitive roofing markets, it usually will not move the needle.

A good roofing location page should feel genuinely useful for that area.

It should talk about the roofing services you offer in that location, the types of properties common in the area, the problems homeowners often face, nearby areas covered, examples of work if you have them, FAQs, and clear calls to action.

For example, a page about roofing in Newport should not read exactly the same as a page about roofing in Cardiff.

You can use a similar structure, but the content should feel like it was written for that area.

You should also internally link between your main roofing services and location pages.

For example:

Roof Repairs
Flat Roofing
Emergency Roofer
New Roof Installations
Roofing in Cardiff
Roofing in Newport
Roofing in Bridgend

This helps Google understand both what you do and where you do it.

This is especially important for roofing because distance plays a role in local results. You are not going to rank everywhere from one Google Business Profile alone. But your website can help you expand your reach in organic search and support wider local visibility over time.

The key is to build this properly.

Not hundreds of rubbish pages.

A clean structure.
Useful content.
Real service coverage.
Strong internal links.
Clear location signals.

That is how you build local relevance that actually helps.

4. Your reviews are weak, inconsistent or not specific enough

Reviews are massive for roofers.

People are nervous about hiring a roofing company.

And for good reason.

Roofing work can be expensive.
Bad roofing work can cause serious damage.
A lot of customers have heard horror stories.
Some have been burned before.

So before they call, they look for proof.

If your roofing company has 12 reviews and your competitor has 180, that is a problem.

If your last review was eight months ago, that is a problem.

If all your reviews just say “great service”, that is also not as strong as it could be.

You want reviews that mention the actual services you want to rank for and sell.

For example:

“They repaired our leaking roof quickly.”
“We had a flat roof replaced.”
“They fixed storm damage after heavy rain.”
“Great company for chimney repairs.”
“Called them for an emergency roof leak.”

These types of reviews help customers understand what you do.

They also reinforce your service relevance.

You should never fake reviews. You should never pay for reviews. Google has policies around fake engagement, and businesses can face restrictions if they try to manipulate reviews.

But you should have a proper review process.

Most roofing companies do not.

They finish a job, hope the customer leaves a review, and then move on.

That is not a process.

A better approach is simple.

Ask every happy customer.
Send them the review link.
Make it easy.
Ask soon after the job is complete.
Reply to every review.
Mention the service naturally in your reply where it makes sense.

For example:

“Thanks for the kind words. Glad we could help with the flat roof repair in Swansea.”

That is natural. It helps the customer. It gives Google more context. And it shows future customers that you are active.

Reviews do not just help rankings. They help conversion.

Because showing up in the Map Pack is one thing.

Getting the click and the call is another.

5. Your website does not turn visitors into enquiries

Local SEO is not just about rankings.

It is about booked jobs.

You can have more traffic, more impressions and better visibility, but if your website does not convert, you are still leaving money on the table.

Roofing customers are usually in one of two mindsets.

They either need help quickly, or they are comparing companies before requesting quotes.

Your website needs to serve both.

Common conversion problems on roofing websites include:

Phone number hidden in the header.
No clear call to action.
Slow mobile experience.
No trust signals above the fold.
No photos of real work.
No service pages for specific jobs.
No reviews shown on the site.
No clear areas covered.
No emergency contact option.
No quote form.
No explanation of why someone should choose you.

This is where a lot of SEO campaigns fall down.

They focus on rankings but ignore what happens after the click.

If someone lands on your website from Google, they should instantly understand:

You are a roofing company.
You serve their area.
You offer the service they need.
You are trustworthy.
You are easy to contact.

That sounds obvious, but many roofing websites fail this basic test.

Your mobile experience is especially important.

A homeowner with water coming through the ceiling is probably not sitting at a desktop computer comparing 14 roofing websites. They are on their phone, looking for someone who can help.

If your site loads slowly, has tiny text, broken buttons, weak calls to action or a form that is annoying to use, they will go back to Google and call someone else.

Your website should make the next step obvious.

Call now.
Request a quote.
Send photos of your roof problem.
Book a roof inspection.
Get emergency help.

Do not make people work hard to contact you.

Because they will not.

The bigger issue: your competitors are easier to find

Most roofing companies do not have a quality problem.

They have a visibility problem.

Your competitors are not always better roofers.

They are often just easier to find.

They have stronger Google Business Profiles.
They have better service pages.
They have more reviews.
They have clearer location signals.
They have websites that convert more visitors into calls.

That means they get the enquiry before you even get considered.

This is why Local SEO works so well for roofing companies.

You are not trying to convince random people to care about roofing.

You are getting in front of people already searching for a roofer.

They already need the service.

The job of Local SEO is to make sure your business shows up, looks trustworthy, and gives them a reason to call you instead of the company ranking above you.

If your roofing business is not getting enough calls from Google, there is usually a reason.

Sometimes it is the Google Business Profile.
Sometimes it is the website.
Sometimes it is the reviews.
Sometimes it is the location structure.
Usually, it is a mix of all of them.

The good news is that these problems can be fixed.

But they need to be fixed properly.

Not with a few keywords added to a homepage.
Not with a cheap directory package.
Not with copied and pasted location pages.
Not with random blog posts nobody needs.

You need a proper Local SEO strategy built around how roofing customers actually search.

That means optimising your Google Business Profile, building proper roofing service pages, strengthening your local relevance, improving reviews, and making your website better at turning visitors into booked jobs.

If you want help doing that, we offer Local SEO for roofing companies designed to help roofers improve their visibility, generate more calls, and book more local jobs from Google.

Digital PR is the modern evolution of traditional public relations.

While traditional PR focuses on print coverage, TV mentions, and offline reputation management, digital PR is all about building a brand’s presence online. This involves earning high-quality backlinks, gaining media coverage on authoritative websites, and creating content that positions your business as an expert in your industry. The ultimate goal is to boost your online visibility, drive traffic, and improve search engine rankings.

Unlike old-school link building, digital PR focuses on building relationships with journalists and publications to secure editorial links rather than spammy ones. These links are far more valuable because they come from credible sources, which search engines trust. When your brand is featured in a publication like The Guardian, Forbes, or Yahoo News, it not only improves your SEO but also enhances consumer trust.

Digital PR campaigns often revolve around creating content with a newsworthy hook. This could be data-driven research, expert commentary, or unique insights that journalists want to cover. Instead of cold-pitching random content, the strategy involves aligning stories with trending topics and media needs. This is why brands that invest in digital PR often see faster results compared to those relying solely on traditional SEO tactics.

The biggest benefit of digital PR is that it works on multiple levels. It drives referral traffic from media coverage, improves organic rankings through authoritative backlinks, and strengthens brand awareness by getting your name in front of millions of readers. For businesses in competitive industries, this combination is invaluable.

Why Do Businesses Use Digital PR?

Businesses use digital PR because it solves a fundamental challenge: standing out online in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Traditional advertising is expensive and often ignored by consumers, while organic social media reach continues to decline. Digital PR cuts through the noise by leveraging credible media platforms to amplify your brand message. When a trusted publication mentions your business, consumers are far more likely to take notice.

For startups, digital PR provides a way to compete with established brands without spending a fortune on paid ads. A single feature in a major online publication can deliver a surge of traffic and open doors to partnerships, investor interest, and increased sales. Even local businesses benefit, as media coverage from regional outlets boosts both reputation and local SEO.

Another reason companies use digital PR is to future-proof their SEO efforts. Google’s algorithms increasingly reward websites that earn links from authoritative sources rather than low-quality directories. By focusing on PR-driven link building, businesses ensure their SEO remains strong, even as search engine rules evolve.

Finally, digital PR supports long-term brand growth. Unlike paid ads that stop delivering results when the budget runs out, high-authority backlinks and media mentions continue to drive traffic and build credibility for months or even years. This makes it one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies available today.

How to Develop an Effective Digital PR Strategy

Creating an effective digital PR strategy starts with understanding your audience and what makes your business newsworthy. You need to identify the types of stories journalists want to cover and how you can provide value. This could be through original research, expert insights, or creative campaigns that tie into current events. Without a strong hook, your outreach efforts will likely fall flat.

The next step is to build relationships with relevant journalists and publications. Instead of blasting out generic press releases, focus on personalized outreach. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches daily, so tailoring your pitch to their beat and providing something genuinely interesting significantly increases your chances of getting coverage.

Content creation is another crucial component. Whether it’s a data study, an infographic, or a thought leadership piece, your content must be both engaging and credible. High-quality visuals, expert quotes, and solid research make your content more appealing to journalists and increase the likelihood of it being shared.

Finally, measure your results. Track the number of backlinks earned, the quality of those links, referral traffic, and any improvements in search rankings. Digital PR is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process that requires refining and adapting your strategy based on what works best for your brand.

Do Digital PR Campaigns Always Work?

Just as with any marketing effort, not every digital PR campaign delivers instant results. There are times when a campaign may fail to gain traction, often because it lacks a strong news angle or targets the wrong publications. This doesn’t mean digital PR is ineffective; it means the approach needs to be adjusted.

One common misconception is that simply publishing a press release guarantees media coverage. In reality, journalists are selective about what they feature. They look for stories that are unique, timely, and backed by credible data or expert commentary. Brands that understand this and craft their campaigns accordingly see much better outcomes.

Another challenge is competition. High-authority publications receive thousands of pitches, which means standing out requires extra effort. Offering exclusive insights, original research, or expert commentary can make a big difference. Businesses that invest time into building relationships with journalists often have an edge over those who only reach out when they need coverage.

The key takeaway is that persistence pays off. Even if a campaign doesn’t hit the mark, the lessons learned can inform future efforts. Over time, brands that consistently produce newsworthy content and maintain strong journalist relationships build a reputation that makes securing coverage easier.

Ready to Boost Your Brand with Digital PR?

Digital PR is one of the most powerful ways to grow your online presence, attract high-quality backlinks, and build lasting authority in your industry. Whether you are a startup looking for visibility or an established business aiming to outshine competitors, a well-planned PR strategy can deliver incredible results.

If you want to see how digital PR can work for your business, book a discovery call with our team today. We’ll show you how to create campaigns that get your brand featured in top publications and drive measurable growth.

In the world of digital PR, one of the most challenging aspects is developing innovative ideas that will capture media attention for your clients. Without the right ideas, getting published in the media can be a daunting task. To help you overcome this hurdle, here are three effective strategies that you can implement right away.

Look at Existing Campaigns for Inspiration

One of the best ways to kickstart your creativity is by examining what has already been done in your industry. While it’s not advisable to copy someone else’s campaign outright, studying existing campaigns can provide valuable insights for creating something even better. By researching how other agencies approach similar topics, you can brainstorm new ideas and refine your approach.

Conduct Industry-specific Research

When working with a new client, particularly in an unfamiliar industry, it’s crucial to understand how industry experts are portrayed in the media. Use search engines like Google to identify terms and phrases commonly associated with professionals in that field. By aligning your content with industry trends and terminology, you increase your chances of securing media coverage in reputable publications.

Utilize Data and Internal Resources

Data-driven PR campaigns have proven to be highly effective in attracting media attention. By leveraging tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or similar platforms, you can analyze a company’s backlink profile to uncover potential PR opportunities. Additionally, tapping into internal data unique to your client’s business can provide a fresh angle for a compelling story. Whether it’s sharing insights, trends, or case studies, internal data adds credibility and value to your PR efforts.

Embrace Creativity with Word Association

An innovative approach to idea generation is to engage in a word association game related to your industry. By brainstorming topics or keywords associated with the sector, you can unearth fresh ideas for PR campaigns. Consider themes like job trends, resume optimization tips, expert insights, or emerging industry developments. By thinking outside the box, you can create unique and engaging content that resonates with your target audience.

In conclusion, developing creative and impactful ideas for digital PR campaigns is a critical element of success in the ever-evolving media landscape. By drawing inspiration from existing campaigns, conducting thorough industry research, leveraging data-driven insights, and embracing creative word associations, you can enhance your PR strategy and achieve greater visibility for your clients. Implement these strategies to elevate your digital PR game and secure valuable media coverage in today’s competitive market.

If you would like to see what a digital PR agency can do for your business, get in touch.

n the world of digital marketing, the process of link building is often perceived as a slow and time-consuming task. However, there are instances where you can generate great backlinks within a short period of time by leveraging quick ideas and timely opportunities. In this blog post, we will delve into a real-life example where a client in the technology industry obtained over 80 backlinks in just 30 minutes of work. We will explore the strategy employed and how you can replicate this success for your own campaigns.

Identifying Trending Stories in Your Industry

To begin with, one of the key strategies for quick backlink acquisition is to monitor trending stories in your industry. By staying abreast of the latest developments, you can identify opportunities to position your client as an expert and secure valuable backlinks. In the case study mentioned, the focus was on the technology sector, specifically a trending story about AI and Taylor Swift.

Leveraging Timely Events for Link Building

The example highlighted the use of AI to create deep fake nudes of Taylor Swift, a story that garnered significant attention. By quickly engaging the client, who was an expert in technology and AI, the team was able to gather insights and quotes to pitch to the media. Within 30 minutes, the information was ready to be shared with the press, resulting in multiple backlinks from reputable sources such as CNN and CTA TV.

Utilizing Google News for Opportunities

A valuable tool in this process was news.google.com, which provides a platform to discover trending stories across various categories. By focusing on relevant topics within your industry, you can identify opportunities to contribute expert insights and gain backlinks from high-authority websites.

Caution and Relevance in Link Building

While the speed of execution is essential in quick link building, it is equally crucial to ensure relevance to your client’s expertise. Jumping on trending stories that align with your client’s domain knowledge can enhance credibility and maximize the impact of backlink acquisition. Avoid commenting on unrelated topics to maintain the integrity of your PR strategy.

Capitalizing on Journalist Interactions

Another key aspect highlighted in the case study was the direct interaction with journalists covering relevant subjects. By providing valuable insights and comments to journalists discussing pertinent topics, you can establish relationships that may lead to further coverage and backlink opportunities in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the case study exemplifies the potential for rapid backlink generation through strategic digital PR efforts. By monitoring industry trends, leveraging client expertise, and engaging with journalists on timely subjects, you can secure valuable backlinks from top-tier websites in a short span of time. Incorporating these tactics into your link building strategy can yield significant results and enhance your online presence effectively.

If you would like to see what a Digital PR agency can do for your business, get in touch.

In the competitive world of SEO, backlinks from authoritative websites like Forbes can significantly boost your website’s credibility and search engine rankings. One effective strategy to acquire such valuable backlinks is through data-driven studies. In this blog post, we will delve into the process of creating and promoting data studies to secure backlinks from major websites, using a case study of WalletHub’s successful link-building campaign.

Understanding the Importance of Data in Link Building

Traditional link-building methods like guest posting and link inserts may not always work when targeting big websites like Forbes. Journalists are discerning about the content they link to and prefer data-backed studies that offer new and interesting insights. By leveraging data, you can pique journalists’ interest and increase your chances of earning high-quality backlinks. This is known as Digital PR.

Case Study: How WalletHub Used Data to Earn Backlinks

In April 2024, WalletHub conducted a study on the best airlines in the US, utilizing 13 key metrics across categories such as baggage and departures, in-flight comfort, costs, and safety. By creating a comprehensive ranking based on data from sources like the US Department of Transportation, WalletHub generated unique insights that attracted attention from major websites.

Key Steps to Replicate WalletHub’s Success

1. Data Sourcing and Analysis

Identify relevant data sources, both internal and external, to support your study. Ensure that the data aligns with your study objectives and can provide valuable insights for your target audience.

2. Study Design and Methodology

Define clear metrics and categories for your study, assign weights to each category, and establish a ranking system. Use tools like Google Sheets to organize and analyze the data effectively.

3. Content Creation and Optimization

Develop an on-site asset that presents your data study in a compelling and informative manner. Link to relevant product or service pages within your website to maximize the SEO benefits of earned backlinks.

4. Outreach and Promotion

Craft a concise and engaging pitch to media outlets, highlighting the significance of your study and key findings. Target journalists or publications that cover topics related to your study to increase the likelihood of earning backlinks.

Achieving Results: Securing Backlinks from Major Websites

WalletHub’s data study on the best airlines garnered backlinks from top-tier websites like Forbes, Entrepreneur, NBC, and travel websites. By consistently creating data-driven studies and promoting them effectively, WalletHub successfully boosted its search engine rankings and organic traffic.

In conclusion, leveraging data-driven studies is a powerful strategy to earn backlinks from major websites like Forbes. By following the steps outlined in this post and drawing inspiration from successful case studies like WalletHub, you can enhance your link-building efforts and establish your website as a trusted source of valuable insights in your industry.

If you would like to earn big backlinks like this talk to us. We are a digital PR agency that earns links from some of the biggest websites in the world.

In today’s blog post, we will delve into the top five red flags you should watch out for when it comes to building backlinks. The insights shared here are based on evaluating guest post backlinks that were pitched to us through email, leading to potential spam issues. By identifying and steering clear of these red flags, you can optimize your backlink strategy for better results and avoid potential penalties.

Red Flag 1: Website Traffic

Analyzing Domain Rating (DR)

One crucial red flag to watch out for is the website’s traffic metrics, such as Domain Rating (DR). Sites with inflated metrics, aimed at selling links, may not offer genuine value. It’s essential to assess if the website in question has significant traffic and genuine authority.

Red Flag 2: Irrelevant Keywords

Assessing Keyword Relevance

Another red flag is the type of keywords a website ranks for. Some sites may optimize for irrelevant keywords to appear more attractive. Ensure that the keywords align with your business niche to avoid link-building on irrelevant platforms.

Red Flag 3: Topic Relevance

Evaluating Content Topics

Checking the topics a website covers and ranks for is crucial. If the content is unrelated to your business or industry, it may not provide the desired link quality. Ensure the content aligns with your niche for effective backlink building. Just as you would look at the content on your own site, you will need to look at what they write about too.

Red Flag 4: Anchor Text Manipulation

Detecting Link Selling Practices

The anchor text used in backlinks can reveal if a site is selling links. Optimized anchor text, especially in unrelated content, could indicate link manipulation. Avoid sites that excessively use keyword-rich anchor text for a more organic backlink profile. For example, if we were to use this for our selves for our local seo page for Merthyr Tydfil for example, we may link to the page via the anchor local seo, but we wouldnt use something like the best local seo agency in Merthyr Tydfil because it isn’t natural.

Red Flag 5: Search Traffic Trends

Monitoring Search Traffic Patterns

Lastly, observing the search traffic trends of a website can offer insights into its credibility. Consistent growth in search engine traffic indicates a reliable platform for backlinks. Conversely, declining traffic trends may signal issues with the site’s authority.

By staying vigilant and addressing these red flags in your backlink strategy, you can enhance the quality and effectiveness of your link-building efforts. Remember to prioritize relevance, authority, and organic link practices for sustainable SEO success.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to share any questions or comments below for further discussion on building backlinks effectively.

Digital PR is one of the best ways to earn high authoritative links that boost your search rankings, traffic and sales. While larger companies can turn to Digital PR agencies like ourselves, smaller businesses may not have the budgets to do so.

Today we will be looking at some of the best Digital PR courses on the Internet that will teach you how to run Digital PR Campaigns yourself.

It’s important to note, that these are actual recommendations from our experiences and all of the training courses mentioned are courses we have taken ourselves. We also don’t receive any commission from these recommendations.

1) The Digital PR Course

The digital PR course is one of our favourite courses that we have done. It’s created by Mark Rofe, a former employee of Rise at 7 and teaches you everything you need to know about ideation, content creation and pitching journalists.

Mark is a top guy too, and if you haven’t followed his Twitter you should do. You can see the full course on his site.

The course is accessible and easy to understand and I found Mark very responsive if you have any questions. We can highly recommend Mark’s course to anyone looking for Digital PR training.

2) Sophie Rhone – Digital PR Lab

Sophie is another top digital PR that we can recommend that provides excellent digital PR training. We did some reactive PR training with Sophie a few years back and she helped us improve our Digital PR reactive processes.

Highly recommend Sophie too and she has a wealth of experience that she can share with you to help you learn various areas of Digital PR. You can learn more about Sophies digital PR training courses here.

3) Mastering Digital PR – Brian Dean

If you don’t have the budget to pay for Digital PR training, Brian Dean of SEM rush course on digital PR is a good start. You will learn ideation, content creation and more in this free course.

You can learn more about Brian Dean’s Digital PR training here.

4) Brighton SEO

I have mixed feelings when it comes to Brighton SEO, I find some of the talks very basic for seasoned SEOs and Digital PR Consultants, however, if you are new to the space you may find some value here.

Some of the top digital PR consultants and executives talk at Brighton SEO so there is always a chance that you can unearth some gold here.

Brighton SEO also run training courses when it comes to digital PR, while they can be expensive sometimes they can be worth it. Courses change every year so there is not one course I can recommend but, I would advise you to keep an eye on the private courses.

If you are considering a course at Brighton SEO, check out the people responsible for the training, the links they earn and any digital PR case studies they may have, this way you should be able to work out if the course will be worth it or not.

Other Courses

There are other digital PR training courses on the internet, but as we haven’t tried them we can’t recommend any others. I hope this post helps you to start earning better backlinks.

How many links are Dofollow? How many Dofollow links will I get?

These are questions we always get asked when running digital PR campaigns for our clients.

Yes, we get it, you want Dofollow links from authoritative websites, but you are coming from the wrong place.

More than likely, you have used guest posts in the past and have bought these links on authority or ahrefs/SemRush’s domain authority/domain rating scale. These links have also been Dofollow, so now you want them from Forbes, MSN, The Sun, Ideal Home etc.

That’s understandable, but….

The majority of high authority publications will have a nofollow link policy as standard. So are big businesses turning down these links and buying DR70 dofollow guest posts? Of course not.

They know that getting your brand name and link on a major publication even with a nofollow tag is worth more than 10 generic guest posts on obscure blogs.

Why Nofollow Links Are Still Incredibly Valuable

Despite the tag, nofollow links do a lot of heavy lifting for SEO and brand growth.

Since 2019, Google has said it treats the nofollow attribute as a “hint”, meaning it can choose to pass value through these links, especially from reputable sources.

That means a nofollow link from a trusted news outlet may carry more weight than you think.

Most national and global publications (think The Guardian, BBC, CNBC, Wired, The Sun, Daily Mail) apply nofollow by default but Google doesn’t treat every nofollow equally. Context, content quality, and trust signals all come into play.

Above is an example of Forbes nofollowing their outbound links. Below is an example of Ideal Home doing the same thing.

Nofollow links will increase branded searches, boost referral traffic, strengthen topical authority, and support E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) all of which influence your organic visibility when done right.

Nofollow links are needed for a natural link profile.

We once worked with an IT company that had spammed dofollow links to their homepage, which resulting in them dropping over 100 places on the search engine ranking pages. Our solution was to earn real coverage back to their site with nofollow and dofollow links, this resulted in them regaining their rankings and finally taking the number 1 position for their desired keyword.

Another company had overdone their guest post links and had slipped down to position 46 for their main keyword related to their service. We ran a pr campaign which picked up a mixture of dofollow and nofollow links and almost immediately the site responded in a positive matter, over the next few months that keyword took the number 1 spot.

Nofollow and dofollow links are a traditional way of thinking about links but in the real world, would you turn down a mention in Forbes or the BBC just because the link was nofollow? Of course not. These links build brand trust, attract customers, and open doors to partnerships.

What We Tell Clients at Weeare

When you invest in digital PR, you’re not just buying link juice. You’re building real brand authority in front of journalists, readers, and search engines.

Yes, we secure dofollow links too but focusing solely on whether a link has the right tag misses the bigger picture. Google isn’t blind to context, and SEO isn’t a checkbox game anymore.

If you’re in a competitive industry, and your rivals are earning mentions in mainstream publications even as nofollow links you need those too, or you risk falling behind.

Real World Examples of Nofollow links increasing traffic

32,000 monthly website visitors, to 63,000 website visitors earning links through digital PR.

This website earned multiple links from HouseBeautiful.com, Elledecor.com, The Sun, Ideal Home, RealHomes, Lancs.live, HomesandGardens. All of which were nofollow links, all of which contributed to the websites 96.87% increase in organic website traffic. If the website had opted for guest posts that were only dofollow, do you think they would have saw the same growth?

This website also saw a huge increase in search rankings when we added our digital PR services to it. From practically 0 visitors to 9000 all by earning links from reputable places such as The Sun, Express, Newsbreak, Wales Online, Bristol Post, AOL and more, the majority of these links yet again are nofollow.

Another example you can see here, a new site taken to 6000 visitors a month using Digital PR and earning quality backlinks. This site earned links from Wales Online, The Sun, Liverpool Echo, Bristol Post, Devon Live, Gazette Live and once again the majority of these links were nofollow.

Above is another example of Nofollow links in action, this is for a keyword we are currently working on, the keyword has over 30,000 searches a month and before working with us the client didn’t and couldn’t rank for it. Using Digital PR we were able to take them up to position 19 by getting them featured in some of the biggest publications in the world. Sites above this client are household names like Ikea, but by using digital PR and a mixture of nofollow and dofollow links we are able to close the gap on these competitors.

Above is another example of a healthy backlink profile increasing a websites organic traffic. This client had been using guest posts to increase their search traffic, but had overdone it and had lost traffic, you can’t see it here but roughly before the graph starts they were on a downward trajectory.

We worked with the client and earned them links in Ideal Home, The Sun, Country Living, Manchester Evening News, Wales Online, Chronicle Live, Indy100, Nottingham Post, The Argus, Oxford Mail and many more. Once again the majority of these links were nofollow, yet they increased the clients traffic from 8000 visitors a month to over 22,000.

Here’s another site that invests heavily in digital PR, in the span of 2 years this site has gone from 55,000 visitors to 124,000 visitors using Digital PR. This site has earned links from places such as Vogue, Tech Radar, The Sun, Glamour Magazine and more. Once again, the majorit of these publications are no follow and these links have contributed to their organic traffic increase.

And it’s not just us that are seeing these results, Digital PR giants such as Reboot, Fery Kazoni’s Search Intelligence and Digital Loft (who also have a great article on Dofollow vs Nofollow links) who use a combination of nofollow and dofollow links to grow their clients search traffic.