Before we talk about how to do SEO for Solihull businesses, let me give you a scenario.
Picture this:
You own a cozy Indian restaurant tucked away in Solihull town centre.
You serve everything from biryanis and creamy butter chicken to sizzling tandoori platters that light up the table.
You know your way around spices like an artist knows their palette.
But none of it matters if people don’t know where to find you.
Sure, you might have a few loyal customers who come back every now and then, booking a table for a birthday dinner or an anniversary date. Maybe they rave about your tikka masala to their friends or post a picture of your garlic naan on Instagram with a heart-eye emoji.
That’s great—it really is. Word of mouth, glowing reviews, and the occasional shoutout on social media all play their part. But you can’t keep your doors open on the strength of sporadic diners alone.
Why? Because people’s habits change. They might move to another town, try a new spot closer to home, or forget all about you when a new restaurant opens up.
And that’s where SEO comes in.
SEO is how your Indian restaurant gets found when someone in Solihull Googles indian restaurants near me while craving a night out.
It’s how you show up when someone visiting the NEC searches indian restaurant solihull after a long day at a conference.
It’s how you keep attracting new customers long after your regulars have finished their leftovers and moved on to next week’s plans.
Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
How SEO can grow your Solihull business
Social media and word of mouth can get people talking, sure.
But SEO is what keeps your restaurant on their radar every single day.
Whether you’re running an Indian restaurant, a nail salon, or a fitness studio, SEO is how you show up right when people are searching for what you do best.
And if there’s one place where SEO can work well, it’s Solihull.
Folks here are Googling everything — from the best place to grab a curry to who can fix a leaky tap.
And if your business isn’t showing up for these local searches, you’re missing out on hungry customers (don’t worry — we’ll talk about local keywords a little later in this guide).
I’m a freelance SEO consultant with over 4 years of experience.
I’ve helped dozens of businesses use SEO to grow their sales and reach more people.
So, let’s just say I know how to help businesses stand out in Solihull.
Need a hand polishing up your SEO strategy for the Solihull area? Check out my services below:
But if you’re looking for a more DIY approach, I’ve put together a no-nonsense guide to show you exactly how to nail SEO in the area.
Thousands of hours worth of research packed into a simple, practical guide. No fluff.
Let’s get started.
Use the Table of Contents below to navigate to the areas you’re interested in.
How to analyse your competitor's Solihull SEO strategy
But let’s not jump too far ahead. Let’s go back to the basics.
There’s a mountain of information out there about SEO, and if you’re not careful, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
So, where should you begin?
Here’s my advice: break it down into small steps.
Before you start worrying about keywords, there’s something even more important to tackle.
You need to figure out who you’re competing with.
Competitor analysis is one of the smartest moves you can make.
It shows you where your competitors are killing it and where they’re falling short. It’s like looking behind the curtain to see what’s driving their success — and their failures.
Let’s go back to that Indian restaurant scenario we talked about earlier.
Imagine there’s another Indian restaurant in Solihull that ranks at the top because their SEO strategy is rock solid, but their website speed is super slow.
That’s your opportunity to swoop in and overtake them.
By understanding what your competitors are doing right — and wrong — you’re setting yourself up to figure out exactly what you need to do to rank higher.
The takeaway? Don’t rush into your SEO strategy without a game plan.
Take a breather, maybe grab a cup of tea, and start by scoping out the competition.
Here’s how you do it:
Start by Googling your own keywords
Head to Google and type in the keywords you think people in Solihull are using to find Indian restaurants like yours.
These are your main competitors — the ones you’ll need to outshine to get more customers through your door.
Note down their website URLs, because we’re going to dive into what they’re doing to rank so high.
Find areas for improvement in your competitor's content
Visit their websites and have a proper nosy around.
What kind of content are they serving up? Are they posting about their menu specials, sharing recipes for classic dishes, or featuring customer reviews that rave about their curries?
Notice the tone they’re using, the topics they’re covering, and how they’re pulling in their audience.
Your task is straightforward: figure out what’s working for them and outdo it.
By writing content that answers the exact questions potential buyers have before pulling the trigger, you’d be positioning yourself as the obvious choice.
And that’s exactly how you outdo the competition.
I spent the good part of an afternoon writing a guide that explains how to analyse your competitor’s content and use that insight to write better content.
Dig into data with SEO tools
SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Mangools are like having an extra pair of hands for your SEO.
They do the boring, time-sucking tasks for you: analysing traffic, uncovering competitor strategies, and finding keywords you didn’t even know existed.
These tools will save you a lot of time and headache.
My go-to is Semrush.
Drop your competitor’s URL into the search bar, hit enter, and let the tool spill the beans on everything they’re doing right (and wrong).
Want to know what keywords your competitors are ranking for? Where their backlinks are coming from? Which pages are reeling in the most traffic?
This is the kind of info you need to polish your keyword strategy and spot areas where you can step in and do better.
Don’t feel like spending money on a premium SEO tool? No problem.
There are free tools to help you out:
- Hoth Rank Checker – for figuring out a site’s top-performing keywords.
- Ahrefs Backlink Checker – for get a peek at a site’s backlink strategy.
They won’t replace the paid tools, but they’ll definitely give you enough data to get started.
Keyword research for your Solihull business
Let’s go back to our Indian restaurant scenario.
Let’s say someone in Solihull is craving a spicy curry for dinner or looking for the perfect spot for a family meal.
They’re not Googling best Indian restaurants uk.
No, they’re typing in best Indian restaurants in solihull.
The latter is what we call local keywords.
Local keywords matter because they connect you with the customers who are right there in your town, ready to book a table or order a takeaway.
They cut through the noise of the internet, putting your business in front of the people most likely to show up and become your next loyal customers.
Here’s why this matters.
If your goal is to attract more local diners, focusing on local keywords is key.
Why? Because it’s about bringing in quality over quantity.
A keyword like best Indian restaurants uk might pull in more searches, but those searches are coming from all over the country — places too far away to matter to you.
On the other hand, someone Googling best Indian restaurants in solihull is much more likely to be sitting at one of your tables by dinnertime.
Long story short: focusing on local relevance is the smarter play.
Related searches
Think of related searches as Google’s gift to your keyword strategy.
When you type something into Google and scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see a section of suggested searches that are linked to your query.
That’s what we call related searches.
They’re a sneak peek into what else people are searching for, how they’re phrasing it, and even the questions they’re asking.
And the best thing? It’s as easy as it gets.
Just punch in a keyword connected to your business, scroll down, and you’ve got yourself a list of potential keywords to explore.
So, if you’re looking for an easy way to expand your keyword list, start with related searches.
It’s free, it’s fast, and it’s right there waiting for you to take advantage of it.
Answer Socrates
Here’s a tool not enough people talk about: Answer Socrates.
It’s a free, no-nonsense way to uncover the questions people are asking about your service or product.
1. Go over to the Answer Socrates website
First, head over to Answer Socrates.
The site is super straightforward, letting you dive right into the research without a hitch.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to skip the fluff and get straight to the good stuff.
It used to be unlimited searches, but now they’ve limited it to 5 free searches per day 🙁
2. Plug in your keyword
Type your seed keyword into the search bar.
3. Pick your country and language
Since we’re focusing on the Solihull audience, select the UK as your country and English as your language.
Choosing the correct country and language guarantees you’ll get keyword data that reflects your local market.
4. Analyse the results
Answer Socrates will serve up a list of questions, prepositions, and comparisons people are searching for related to your keyword.
Cross-reference the keyword data from Answer Socrates with data from an SEO tool like Ahrefs or Semrush.
On Page SEO
How to set up location pages
If you want to bring in more hungry customers from Solihull and the nearby towns, great location pages are your secret weapon.
Here’s how to get it right:
Pages that target cities
Let’s say you run an Indian restaurant in Solihull, but you also cater to customers in Shirley, Knowle, and Dorridge.
Here’s the move: create separate location pages for each of these areas.
Why? Because each page helps you target the exact keywords people in those towns are Googling when they’re craving a curry or looking for a restaurant to visit.
Think along these lines:
- indian restaurant solihull
- shirley indian takeaway
- curry knowle
- dorridge indian food delivery
These keywords are exactly what people are searching for.
Sure, you might like to imagine your customers are all coming from central Solihull, but in reality, they’re spread out across the nearby towns, too.
So, why not create pages for these areas too?
By focusing on these specific keywords, you’ll show up in searches when locals are hunting for your products/services.
You’re staking your claim in each of these places, so when someone needs your services, your name is the first they see.
Of course, you should only target these types of keywords if you actually provide services to nearby towns and areas.
Most Indian restaurants wouldn’t refuse a £300 catering order just because they’d need to drive an extra 3 miles from Solihull to Knowle. That’s like taking perfectly good naan and throwing it in the bin.
I once worked with an external wall insulation contractor based in Coventry who happily served customers within a 50-mile radius.
Most local businesses can afford to stretch their boundaries a little, delivering takeaways or catering for events in nearby areas like Shirley, Dorridge, or Hampton-in-Arden.
But if you’re running a brick-and-mortar Indian restaurant that only serves diners in-house, you’re likely more focused on attracting customers who are already in Solihull.
If that sounds like you, stick to the strategy below:
Pages that target local neighbourhoods
Solihull is made up of many neighbourhoods.
So one strategy you could use is to create location pages that speak directly to these areas, like:
- Shirley
- Knowle
- Dorridge
People tend to search for services in their own neighbourhoods.
So, if someone’s Googling for an Indian restaurant in Shirley, your Shirley-focused page has a much better chance of landing in the search results.
You might think super-specific keywords like these don’t bring much traffic.
But they absolutely do:
Sure, they’re not setting any records for search volume, but they are being searched.
And here’s the kicker — the more specific the keyword, the higher the chance the person searching is ready to walk through your door and buy.
Local landmark pages
This is one of the most underrated ideas for nailing on-page SEO as part of your local SEO strategy.
If we had a restaurant tucked near Touchwood Shopping Centre, we could create a location page titled Restaurant near Touchwood Shopping Centre.
And guess what? Yes, that’s a keyword:
Landmarks like Touchwood Shopping Centre are magnets for pulling local search traffic.
When you optimise your content around these landmarks, you’re tapping into searches from both locals and visitors, giving you an edge over competitors who aren’t this precise.
Basic on-page SEO for your Solihull business
Remember these tips for your on-page SEO:
Nail the URL
Keep it short, sweet, and to the point: Think of your URL like an address—it should tell people exactly where they’re headed.
If you’re running an Indian restaurant in Shirley, your URL should look something like this:
If you want to target Knowle as well, you could personalise it like this:
This way, Google knows exactly where to send folks, and your customers can find you without any hassle.
Write killer titles and headings
Just because you need to slip keywords into your headings doesn’t mean they should sound like a robot wrote them.
- Use unique titles: Your page title is your first chance to grab attention. Keep it clear, keep it specific, and make sure it mentions your location.
- Example: ‘Authentic Indian Food in Solihull – Your Restaurant Name.’
Speak their language
This is how I’d make my Indian restaurant a Solihull favorite:
- Celebrate the community: Highlight your role in Solihull’s local scene. Maybe you’ve sponsored a cricket match in Shirley or participated in the Solihull Food Festival. Show you’re not just another restaurant—you’re part of the town’s heartbeat.
- Connect with local culture: Mention how your restaurant is a go-to for family celebrations or cozy date nights. Talk about customers popping in for a quick curry after a day at Touchwood or a biryani takeaway for a picnic at Brueton Park. Relate to how people live, eat, and enjoy life in Solihull.
- Show, don’t tell: Share vibrant photos of your dishes, like a butter chicken that practically glows or a naan straight out of the oven. Include shots of your chefs at work, families enjoying a meal, or your welcoming interior. Make your restaurant feel like the heart of Solihull’s dining scene.
Let the locals do the talking
Include testimonials from locals who’ve made your restaurant their favourite.
Nothing says “this is your place” quite like hearing it from people who can’t stop coming back.
- Example: “Best curry in Solihull, hands down! Perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in.” — Priya, Shirley Local
Give them a map and directions
- Drop a pin: Embed a Google Map to show exactly where your restaurant is. Whether customers are driving over for dinner or popping by to pick up a takeaway, make it effortless to locate you.
- Landmarks and directions: Highlight well-known landmarks or streets nearby. Say something like, ‘You’ll find us in Shirley, right next to the Stratford Road and a stone’s throw from Touchwood Shopping Centre.’
Add ALT text to images
For every image, ensure you’re using descriptive alt text that ties to your relevant keywords.
Great alt text not only makes your website more accessible but helps boost your SEO by giving search engines context about your images.
For example:
- Instead of generic alt text like ‘curry dish,’ use something like ‘butter chicken curry at our Indian restaurant in Shirley, Solihull.’
It’s a small change that packs a punch.
How to set up Google Business Profile
Complete every section
Fill out every section completely—business name, address, phone number, website, and operating hours.
Use a local phone number to bump up your local SEO.
When you miss out on info you miss out on customers.
An incomplete profile is like leaving the front door open; people can wander in but might not find what they need.
Use posts
Don’t overlook Google Posts.
Use this feature to share news, special offers, or tips related to your services.
Highlighting seasonal promotions or community involvement can really capture attention.
These posts appear in your profile, keeping it engaging.
Collect reviews
After a job well done, ask satisfied customers to leave you a glowing review.
A simple follow-up email can do wonders.
Respond to every review—thank them for their feedback and address any concerns.
This shows you care and builds credibility like nothing else.
Choose the right categories
When it comes to categories, be strategic. Pick categories that describe your business accurately.
If you’re a plumber, make Plumber your primary category, and add secondary options like Emergency Plumber or Drainage Services.
This helps Google serve you to the right crowd.
Use booking features
If you can, enable online booking.
This makes it easy for customers to schedule your services directly.
The simpler you make it for them, the more likely they are to buy.
How to hire an SEO for your Solihull business
So, maybe you skimmed through all that and thought, “Ain’t nobody got time for that”.
If that’s you, it might be time to bring in an SEO.
But don’t just sit back and nod when your SEO starts throwing around words like “rankings” and “organic traffic”. Pay attention and ask yourself if what they’re saying makes any real sense.
Let’s go back to that Indian restaurant scenario for a moment.
If an SEO consultant promises your Shirley restaurant will outrank Just Eat by next week, stop right there.
Before hiring an SEO, take a step back and figure out exactly what your goals are. Too many businesses say, “We need SEO” without understanding why or how it will help them.
Who are you trying to reach? What do you want them to do when they visit your website?
SEO isn’t just about driving more traffic — it’s about getting the right traffic.
So, for our Solihull-based Indian restaurant, we want to attract customers who will actually book a reservation, place a large takeaway order, or rave about our curries on social media. Not the ones who click around for two seconds and leave.
Traffic that doesn’t engage or convert is a waste of your time and money.
So, get specific about what you want, and ask smart, pointed questions before signing on with an SEO.
"What's your pricing structure?"
When it comes to SEO, asking about the pricing structure is non-negotiable.
The way an SEO charges can tell you a lot about their approach and the value they bring to the table.
Most SEOs use one of two pricing models:
Retainer-based pricing and one-off packages.
- Retainer-based pricing:
First up is the retainer model.
This is like having an SEO expert on speed dial.
You pay a fixed monthly fee, and in return, you get ongoing support and strategy adjustments.
This is great for businesses that need a steady hand at the wheel.
The benefits:
- Consistency: Your SEO is in it for the long haul, adapting strategies as needed and keeping your website fresh.
- Proactive improvements: They can continually monitor your site’s performance, jump on issues before they become problems, and make ongoing adjustments to keep you competitive.
- Access to expertise: You get to leverage their knowledge and expertise regularly, which can lead to better results over time.
2. One-off packages:
This is perfect for businesses that may not need full-time SEO support but want to tackle specific projects or objectives.
Whether it’s a website audit, a keyword research report, or a content overhaul, you pay for what you need when you need it.
The benefits:
- Cost-effective: If your budget is tight or you’re just dipping your toes into SEO, this option is more manageable.
- Flexibility: You can choose services that align with your immediate goals. If your focus shifts or your budget changes, you aren’t locked into a long-term contract.
- Quick wins: One-off services can often lead to immediate improvements, whether it’s optimising a specific page or revamping your entire site.
"How do you handle reporting and communication?"
When you’re spending hard-earnt cash on SEO services, the last thing you want is to be left in the dark, wondering if your investment is paying off.
So you need to know exactly how your SEO plans to keep you in the loop.
- Reporting:
Reporting is not about getting a spreadsheet crammed with numbers that might as well be in hieroglyphics.
You want reports that actually tell a story.
A good SEO will break down the data in a way that makes sense, showing you not just what’s happening, but why it matters.
What to look for:
- Practical insights: The best reports don’t just show metrics; they highlight what’s working, what’s not, and what the next steps should be. You’ll know why certain keywords are performing better than others, how your content is engaging users, and where opportunities lie.
- Custom dashboards: They can continually monitor your site’s performance, jump on issues before they become problems, and make ongoing adjustments to keep you competitive.
- Contextual understanding: Look for an SEO who will provide context around the numbers. They should explain industry trends, seasonality, and how your performance compares to competitors. A good SEO should paint a full picture, and not just throw stats at you.
2. Communication:
Now, let’s talk communication.
SEO is an ongoing process that requires regular check-ins and updates.
You want someone who’s proactive in keeping you informed.
What you should expect:
- Regular check-ins: Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, you should have a scheduled touchpoint to go over what’s been done, what’s coming up, and any adjustments that need to be made. These meetings are your chance to ask questions, get clarification, and steer the strategy if needed.
- Transparent communication: A solid SEO will be straight with you — if something isn’t working, they’ll say so and suggest a pivot. They won’t sugar-coat the challenges or gloss over the setbacks; instead, they’ll involve you in finding solutions.
- Availability: You want an SEO who isn’t a ghost. If you have a question, they should be reachable via email, or even a quick Zoom call. And when they do get back to you, it shouldn’t feel like you’re pulling teeth to get a straight answer.
"How do you measure success?"
When it comes to SEO, measuring success isn’t as simple as watching your website climb the search rankings.
That’s just one piece of the puzzle.
You want to know if the time, money, and effort you’re pouring into SEO are actually moving the needle for your business.
So, when I measure success, I look at a full spectrum of metrics that tell a deeper story about your website’s progress.
Rankings:
Sure, rankings matter.
Seeing your website climb to the top of Google for your target keywords feels good — it’s a sign that the technical side of SEO is working.
But rankings alone are just the tip of the iceberg.
It’s what’s beneath the surface that counts.
What I track:
- Target keyword rankings: I’ll monitor how your site ranks for your most important keywords over time. This gives us a clear picture of your performance in the search engine.
- Competitor rankings: I’ll also keep an eye on how you’re stacking up against your competitors in Solihull.
And that is how you do SEO for your Solihull business.
That’s all, folks.
That’s all he wrote.
Thanks for reading.
