What Are the Best Local SEO Practices for Blackpool Businesses?

For businesses in Blackpool—a popular seaside town in the UK known for its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors—having a strong local online presence is essential. Whether you run a café near the promenade, a guesthouse in South Shore, or a plumbing service covering Lancashire, local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can be the game-changer that connects you with nearby customers searching online.

Let’s dive into the most effective local SEO practices tailored specifically for Blackpool businesses, helping you rank higher in search results and attract more foot traffic and leads.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

One of the most powerful tools for local SEO is your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). When someone searches for "best fish and chips in Blackpool" or "Blackpool guesthouses near beach," a well-optimized profile makes sure your business shows up in the Map Pack and top local results.

How to optimize:

• Claim and verify your listing if you haven’t already.
  
  

• Accurately list your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) and ensure it matches what's on your website and other directories.
  
  

• Choose relevant business categories.
  
  

• Upload high-quality photos of your storefront, products, staff, and services.
  
  

• Regularly post updates—these can be events, offers, or news.
  
  

• Respond to customer reviews, both positive and negative.
  
  

Tip:

Blackpool businesses in tourism and hospitality can take advantage of seasonal trends by updating their GBP to reflect holiday offers, opening hours, and special events like the Illuminations or Blackpool Air Show.

Target Local Keywords Strategically

Local keyword research is a foundational pillar of successful SEO. Think about what your potential customers are searching for in and around Blackpool.

Examples of local keywords:

• "Hairdressers in Blackpool town centre"
  
  

• "B&B near Blackpool Tower"
  
  

• "Emergency plumber Blackpool"
  
  

• "Blackpool SEO agency"
  
  

How to find them:

• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or BrightLocal’s Local Rank Tracker.
  
  

• Include these keywords naturally in:
  
  

• Page titles and meta descriptions
  
  

• Headings (H1, H2s)
  
  

• URLs
  
  

• Image ALT tags
  
  

• Content and service pages
  
  

Pro Tip:

Create separate location pages if your business serves nearby areas like Lytham St Annes, Poulton-le-Fylde, or Fleetwood. This improves visibility for "near me" searches.

Build Local Citations

A citation is any online mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number. Search engines like Google use citations to verify your business's legitimacy and trustworthiness.

High-quality local citation sources:

• Yell.com
  
  

• Thomson Local
  
  

• 192.com
  
  

• Blackpool Council’s Business Directory
  
  

• Chamber of Commerce websites
  
  

• TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and VisitBlackpool for hospitality businesses
  
  

Citation Tips:

• Keep your NAP consistent across all directories.
  
  

• Avoid duplicates.
  
  

• Update old listings if your business has moved or changed numbers.
  
  

Encourage and Manage Online Reviews

Reviews are one of the strongest local SEO ranking factors. They influence potential customers and help boost your visibility on platforms like Google and Facebook.

How to get more reviews:

• Ask customers after a purchase or service.
  
  

• Use QR codes in-store or on printed receipts linking to your review page.
  
  

• Send follow-up emails asking for feedback.
  
  

• Offer incentives (discounts, free items) within Google’s review guidelines.
  
  

Where to focus:

• Google Reviews (most influential for SEO)
  
  

• Facebook
  
  

• TripAdvisor (especially for tourism and hospitality)
  
  

• Yelp, Trustpilot, and Checkatrade (for service industries)
  
  

Managing reviews:

• Always respond—thank users for positive feedback.
  
  

• For negative reviews, stay professional and aim to resolve the issue.
  
  

Create Locally Relevant Content

Producing high-quality content that speaks to your local audience builds authority and can generate backlinks from other local sites.

Content ideas for Blackpool businesses:

• “Top 10 Things to Do Near Blackpool North Pier”
  
  

• “Why Our Café Is a Hidden Gem in Blackpool Town Centre”
  
  

• “What to Know Before Visiting Blackpool in Winter”
  
  

• “The History of Blackpool Illuminations”
  
  

Formats to consider:

• Blog posts
  
  

• Local guides
  
  

• Event recaps
  
  

• Interviews with local personalities
  
  

• Seasonal promotions and news updates
  
  

Pair this content with local keywords and share it on social media to drive both SEO and user engagement.

Get Local Backlinks

Backlinks from authoritative local sources are gold for local SEO. Google sees these as a vote of confidence in your business.

Ways to get local backlinks:

• Sponsor local events or sports teams (e.g., Blackpool FC youth teams)
  
  

• Partner with other Blackpool businesses for co-branded content
  
  

• Join local networking groups like BNI or the Blackpool Business Improvement District (BID)
  
  

• Get listed in local news articles or blogs (e.g., The Gazette)
  
  

• Submit press releases for notable achievements or events
  
  

Each link from a reputable local site improves your trustworthiness in Google's eyes.

Ensure Mobile-Friendliness and Fast Load Speeds

More than half of local searches come from mobile devices. If your site loads slowly or is hard to navigate on a phone, you’ll lose both rankings and customers.

What to check:

• Your website is responsive on all devices.
  
  

• Navigation is simple and touch-friendly.
  
  

• Phone number is clickable (tap-to-call).
  
  

• Pages load in under 3 seconds.
  
  

Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and PageSpeed Insights to evaluate your site’s performance and make necessary adjustments.

Utilize Schema Markup (Local Business Structured Data)

Schema is a type of code added to your website that helps search engines understand your business better. Using Local Business schema can improve how your listings appear in search results—sometimes showing hours, reviews, or location directly in the SERP. If you're not technical, tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper or plugins (e.g., for WordPress: Rank Math, Yoast) can assist in implementing it.

Monitor and Track Your Results

SEO is not a one-and-done strategy. Regularly tracking your performance helps you identify what’s working and what needs adjusting.

Key tools to use:

• Google Analytics – traffic, user behavior
  
  

• Google Search Console – keyword impressions and click-through rates
  
  

• Google Business Insights – visibility, direction requests, phone calls
  
  

• BrightLocal or Moz Local – local ranking reports and citation monitoring
  
  

Set aside time monthly to review progress and make tweaks.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a restaurant on the promenade, a hotelier near Pleasure Beach, or a Blackpool-based contractor, local SEO is your digital storefront. By optimizing your Google Business Profile, targeting local keywords, building citations and backlinks, managing reviews, and maintaining a fast, mobile-friendly website, you’ll give your business the visibility it deserves.

Invest in these practices consistently, and you’ll find your business not only ranking higher but also resonating more with the very people who matter most—your local customers in Blackpool.