SEO Liverpool

I’ve spoken to many business owners across Liverpool and found there’s often confusion about what SEO really means today. So here’s my definition for 2025.

Most digital agencies still describe SEO as simply improving your website to rank higher in search engines. That’s partly true — but it’s only a fraction of the picture. As Google themselves put it, "it's about creating helpful, reliable, people-first content."

In 2025, search engines like Google use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and AI to understand content more like a human would. With ranking factors such as RankBrain and BERT, SEO is no longer about pleasing algorithms — it’s about satisfying people.

Chasing singular keywords is outdated. Google ranks pages based on relevance, depth, and user satisfaction. If you're still focusing on single keyword positions, you're missing the bigger picture. There's a simple test you can do to see this for yourself — and I’ll walk you through it shortly.

The best way to think about SEO today is to ask: “Will my website visitor be satisfied when they land on this page?” If the answer’s yes — and you're following Google's guidelines — you're on the right path.

If you check out Google’s own advice on hiring SEO help, you'll find some valuable insights — and I want to share the highlights, along with my honest take on each one.

Many Liverpool business owners sign up with a local SEO agency on a monthly retainer, only to be disappointed months down the line when the promised results never arrive.

The reason is simple: the SEO industry has a very low barrier to entry. Almost anyone can claim to be an expert — even without the skills or experience to back it up.

Worse still, some providers use shady tactics that can temporarily boost your rankings, only to trigger penalties later. And if that agency uses the same tactics across multiple clients, one penalty can affect others through association — just because they share the same dodgy SEO provider.

I’ve been doing SEO since 2008 and have built a strong business through word-of-mouth, thanks to my honest, straight-talking approach. No shortcuts. No nonsense.

If you're unsure who to trust with your SEO, start by checking Google’s list of questions to ask a provider — and below, you’ll find my answers to each one.

Can you show me examples of your previous work and share some success stories?

Absolutely. You’ll find real examples and success stories further down this page and throughout my website — all from businesses I’ve helped grow through smart, honest SEO.

Do you follow the Google Search Essentials?

Yes — but with context. I follow Google’s guidelines, always. But the real edge comes from studying what’s already working in your industry. By reverse-engineering the top results and combining that with best practice, I make sure your site gives Google exactly what it’s looking for — every time.

Do you offer any online marketing services or advice to complement your organic search business?

Yes, I do. Alongside monthly SEO, I offer audits, strategy sessions, consultancy, training, website builds, and Google Ads — all designed to support and enhance your organic visibility. Everything I provide is focused on driving real results, not just ticking boxes.

What kind of results do you expect to see, and in what timeframe? How do you measure your success?

There’s no honest way to answer that without an audit first. I need to review your site, your competitors, and your market to know what’s realistic. Success depends on where you’re starting from and what needs fixing. That said, I always start by capturing key performance indicators — traffic, rankings, leads — so we’ve got a clear benchmark to measure progress against.

What's your experience in my industry?

Over the years, I’ve worked across hundreds of industries — from local service providers to national brands and eCommerce stores. Whether it’s local, national, or product-based SEO, chances are I’ve already helped someone in your space. If not, I’ll still know exactly how to tackle it.

What's your experience developing international sites?

While this page is focused on businesses in Liverpool, yes — I’ve worked on plenty of international websites over the years. If you’re expanding beyond the UK, I can help with the technical and strategic SEO needed for global visibility.

What are your most important SEO techniques?

Put simply — it’s about people first, search engines second. That means building technically sound websites that are easy for search engines to crawl, while creating content that satisfies real user intent. Add in strong UX, responsive design, strategic link building, and regular data-led adjustments — that’s the core of what gets results.

Here are some of the techniques I focus on:

Keyword Research:
Understanding how people search and using that to guide topical relevance — keyword research is still a familiar term, even if today we focus more on intent and topic clusters.

Content Optimisation:
Crafting clear, engaging content that answers real questions, integrates key terms naturally, and performs well in search.

Technical SEO:
Improving crawlability, site speed, mobile responsiveness, structured data, and everything that supports clean site architecture.

Link Building:
Securing high-quality backlinks from trusted, relevant sources to boost your site’s authority the right way — no spam.

On-Page SEO:
Optimising meta tags, headers, internal links, and content structure to help search engines and users navigate your site better.

Off-Page SEO:
Building your brand’s reputation through digital PR, social signals, and consistent activity beyond your own website.

Local SEO:
Boosting your visibility in local searches through Google Business Profile optimisation, local keywords, and citation management.

Competitor Analysis:
Reverse-engineering what’s working for others in your industry to find opportunities and outdo them.

SEO Strategy Development:
Creating a clear roadmap that aligns with your business goals — and adapts as you grow.

Performance Tracking and Reporting:
Measuring key metrics like traffic, rankings, and conversions to track progress and stay focused.

User Experience (UX) Optimisation:
Designing your site for usability — clean navigation, fast load times, and layout that keeps visitors engaged and moving.

How long have you been in business?

Since 2008. I started out working in digital agencies before launching my own — first We Are Web, then the SEO agency Serpify. In 2017, I registered Graham SEO Ltd and committed fully to SEO consultancy. Today, it’s a VAT-registered business with a small, dedicated team behind it.

How can I expect to communicate with you? Will you share with me all the changes you make to my site, and provide detailed information about your recommendations and the reasoning behind them?

You can reach me by phone or email, and we can arrange in-person meetings if needed. I prefer email for most questions, as it gives me time to review your data and provide a clear, accurate, data-backed response. That said, if you'd rather talk something through, a member of my team is always available by phone — and I’m never far behind.

Yes, I’ll always explain what changes are being made, why they matter, and how they support your SEO goals. Transparency is key to how I work.

We’re here to work with you — solving challenges and creating tailored strategies that fit your goals. Prefer to stay hands-off? No problem. My team and I can manage your SEO each month, delivering steady growth, stronger visibility, and giving you more time to focus on running your business.

I genuinely enjoy working with freelancers and digital agencies. If you're a web designer or run a digital agency in Liverpool or the surrounding area, let’s meet and talk about how we can strengthen your online presence. You're welcome to visit me at my office in Ness, just off Chester High Road — or we can meet wherever suits you best.

I’m also open to meaningful partnerships and joint ventures with the right people. If our goals align, let’s explore what we could build together.

Need a one-off fix for a pressing SEO issue? I offer expert solutions that can be delivered discreetly under your own branding — helping you resolve problems fast, maintain client trust, and keep everything running smoothly without disruption.