Website positioning in the UK. What does it look like to optimise for SEO in the UK?

Positioning websites in the UK may seem similar to what we know from the Polish market, but there are subtle differences that are worth exploring. In this article, we take a look at the main differences between SEO in the UK and Poland, and discuss strategies for SEO used in the UK.

SEO in the UK - choosing the right domain name

The first step in securing online visibility abroad is to acquire a suitable domain name. It is particularly important to choose a two-letter country code top-level domain (ccTLD). In Poland, an example of such a domain is .pl, while domains ending in co.uk or .co are recommended for the UK. So if you are aiming for a positioning websites in the UK, it is worth noting that the website address matters from an SEO perspective. It is worth remembering that domain ".uk" or ".co.uk" will be suitable for companies focusing on the UK market, while ".com" is a better choice for companies with a global reach. Domain ".eu" may in turn be a suitable option for companies operating in European markets. It is important to carefully analyse the specifics of the company's business and its business objectives before making a decision.

Domain selection is an important step in the SEO process, which should be kept in mind. Optimisation A website needs to take into account a variety of SEO and SEM activities, as search engine algorithms take into account a variety of factors and are not limited to the number of phrases contained in the text (as some still believe).

UK positioning - which search engine is most popular in the islands?

The popularity of search engines in the UK is similar to global trends. Here is a brief overview of search engine popularity in the UK:

1. Google
Google remains the undisputed market leader for search engines in the UK, with 91,76% users choosing this search engine, as in most countries around the world. Many users in the UK use Google as their first option for finding information, products and services.

2 Bing
Despite Google's dominance, Bing (5,85%) also has its share of users in the UK. Some people prefer Bing because of its interface, features or simply out of habit. However, Bing's market share is much smaller compared to Google. 

3. Yahoo
Yahoo also has a presence in the UK search engine market, but its popularity has declined in recent years. Nevertheless, there are still users in the UK who use Yahoo to search for information.

4. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo, due to its approach to user privacy and lack of tracking, is gaining popularity around the world, including in the UK. More and more people are choosing DuckDuckGo as an alternative to traditional search engines.

Effective SEO in the UK - what activities should be carried out?

Successful SEO in the UK requires a holistic approach, taking into account both the technical aspects of SEO and local preferences and user needs. So, what actions should be taken to successfully position websites in the UK? Below you will find the most important ones.

Content optimisation for English and the local market

Successful SEO in the UK starts with understanding the specifics of the UK market. In addition to the obvious, i.e. adapting your website content to the English language, it is also worth adapting it to local preferences, phrases and customs. Using British key phrases and adapting the content to the local culture will influence the website's appeal to British users.

Attention! Remember to consider British English when choosing key phrases, for example:
● 'colour' instead of 'colour',
● "centre" instead of "center"

Responsiveness and speed of the website

With the increasing number of users using mobile devices, it is crucial to adapt the website to different screens and maintain a high loading speed. This not only affects the user experience, but also the page's ranking in search results.

Gaining strong links from UK sites

External links continue to be an important factor in influencing a site's position in search results. In the UK, it is worth focusing on link building from local sites, industry portals and business partners. Careful planning of your linking strategy can help to increase your site's authority in local search results.

Local SEO

Successful SEO in the UK also requires the use of appropriate SEO practices focused on the local market. This includes registering your business with local directories such as Thomson Local, Scoot, Cylex-UK, among others. It is also essential to create a company profile on Google, which enables businesses to appear in local search results and on Google maps, which is vital for businesses - including those operating in the UK market. Make sure your Google My Business profile is fully completed and includes all relevant information about your business. This includes your exact address, phone number, opening hours, description of your business and link to the website.

Regular publication of valuable content

Updating the website with new and valuable content not only makes it more attractive to users, but also has a positive impact on its position in search results. Regularly publishing blog articles helps to maintain interest and build trust among customers.

Technical optimisation of the website

In addition to content and links, an important part of successful SEO in the UK is optimisation technical. As part of this process, it is necessary, among other things, to adapt the site to the latest responsiveness standards, to ensure correct encryption SSL and optimise meta tags and link structure. Technical optimisation not only meets Google's requirements, but also makes it easier for users to navigate the site, which contributes to reducing the bounce rate and improving the user experience.

How quickly will the results of SEO be visible?

The time it takes for the visible effects of positioning to become apparent can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the competitiveness of the industry, the quality of the work done, the current position of the website in search results. In some cases, changes may be noticeable even after 3 months, especially if the website has little competition in the selected key phrases. However, for most industries, it takes 6-12 months or even longer to achieve the desired increases in search results.

If you give up on your SEO efforts after 3-6 months due to lack of results, you will have wasted your investment. It is important to remember that the SEO process is an ongoing effort that requires monitoring, adjusting strategies and responding to changes in search engine algorithms and user behaviour. Therefore, patience and regularity are key elements of successful SEO.

What does the UK e-commerce market look like - does it have potential?

The UK e-commerce market is one of the largest and most developed in the world. There has been rapid growth in online sales in recent years, making it an attractive area for businesses interested in e-commerce. Customers in England are increasingly accustomed to using online shopping, which creates huge opportunities for e-commerce companies. Trends such as mobility, speed of delivery and convenient payment methods contribute to the further development of this market. It is also worth noting that competition in the e-commerce market in England is fierce, requiring businesses to constantly adapt to changing trends and customer expectations, as well as an effective marketing strategy, including online shop positioning.

Positioning in the UK: A strategy focused on long-term results

SEO in the UK is not just a process of optimising for search engines, but also a strategic approach to building an online brand and attracting new customers. Although the results are not immediate, investing in effective SEO brings tangible benefits in the long term. In the context of successful SEO in the UK, understanding the local market, tailoring content to the needs of UK users and technical optimisation play a key role. Remember that the SEO process is long-term and requires patience. Giving up on SEO activities too early can lead to wasted resources.