Progressive Website Development Ltd

12/01/2026

Thanks for the support Destination Chesterfield!

Our mission is to be the best Local SEO experts we can be and to support as many local businesses as possible grow their businesses online!

🏆 Meet our Chesterfield Champion of the Week, Simon Wilson of Progressive Website Development Ltd.

As someone who helps local businesses with their online presence and lead generation, Simon has been able to work with a wide variety of clients here in Chesterfield.

🗨️ "One day I might be helping an estate agent or financial adviser, and the next, collaborating with an electrician, joiner, or manufacturer. That diversity keeps things interesting and shows how many ambitious local businesses are investing in online growth."

His support for our town also involves being a season ticket holder at Chesterfield FC and appreciating our great walking routes on offer.

🗨️ "Linacre Reservoirs is one of my favourite spots for an evening walk with my two beagles – peaceful, scenic, and perfect for switching off."

Simon's full Champion of the Week column shares more ways he continues to support local and his greatest achievement over the past year: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/destination-chesterfield/champions/champion-of-the-week/

10/12/2025

We had an enquiry from a potential client about our Local SEO services this week, and I thought it would be a great idea to share what a typical local business can expect when working with us.

A lot of small businesses come to us in the same situation as this particular (potential) client – good at what they do, plenty of happy customers, but not getting the visibility they should be getting online.

Here’s the short version of the conversation we had:

Most local businesses rely on two key assets to generate leads online:

1️⃣ A properly optimised Google Business Profile
This is what gets you into the local map pack, the three listings that appear at the top when someone searches for things like “patio cleaner Chesterfield” or “carpet cleaning near me”.

This is where the majority of clicks go.

2️⃣ A website that MATCHES your Google Business Profile
Not just a general website…
…but one that supports every service listed on your GBP with its own dedicated page, correct wording, correct structure, and clear internal links.

When these two match, Google understands exactly what you do and the areas you serve, and that’s when rankings start to move.

In this business owners case case, he already ranks organically for terms like “patio cleaning Chesterfield”, but he’s missing from the map results. That’s the bit we fix.

So what does a Local SEO project look like with us?

Here’s what we typically do over 12–14 weeks:

✔️ Fix and align Google Business Profile categories
✔️ Add 20–30 services/products to the GBP
✔️ Build matching service pages on the website
✔️ Link all those pages from the homepage (so Google sees the structure clearly)
✔️ Optimise all existing pages for on-page SEO
✔️ Add review platforms (like Trusted Trader) to the website
✔️ Provide a full review-collection framework
✔️ Create 52 Google Post ideas and set them to schedule automatically
✔️ Build location-specific pages (e.g. “carpet cleaning Walton”)
✔️ Provide a baseline ranking report so you can measure progress
✔️ and a whole lot more!

If you’re a local business and feel like you’re “doing everything right” but still not showing up where customers are searching… this is usually why.

And the good news?
It’s fixable, predictably and repeatably.

If you want to talk about improving your local visibility, drop me a message.

I’m always happy to help and explain things in plain English.

18/11/2025

Sometimes it’s not a rebuild, a rebrand, or a 50-page SEO plan.

It’s the simple stuff done properly.

Back on 9th September, this business wasn’t anywhere near the top 3 in Maps. No visibility, no leads, nothing.

Fast-forward to now, they’re holding the #1 spot across their target areas.

What changed?

• We aligned the H1 with the exact service + location (what Google actually needs).
• We sorted a legitimate, verifiable local address (the foundation of Local SEO).
• No gimmicks. No hacks. Just fundamentals done right.

If your business should be showing up locally but isn’t, it’s usually not a mystery, it’s misalignment.

Sort the basics and the results follow.

If you want help figuring out what’s holding your map rankings back, just shout.

01/05/2025

🚨 Are You Missing This Easy Google Ranking Opportunity?

If you’re a service-based business relying on local clients, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, estate agents, trades, here’s a simple SEO tip that can make a big difference.

When clients leave Google reviews, the words they use matter more than you might think.

Google bolds keywords in reviews that match what the user searched for, like “financial” in the case of the attached image. It’s a strong signal of relevance, and it can influence which businesses appear higher in the local map pack.

Take this real example from Chesterfield 👇

All three businesses have great ratings, but look closely at the second one: the word “financial” is bolded in their review because it matches the user’s search (“financial adviser chesterfield”). That’s likely helping them edge above the competition in the rankings.

Quick wins:

✅ Ask clients to mention what you helped with (e.g. “financial advice in Chesterfield”)

✅ Reply to every review using the same keywords and location, naturally.

✅ Put a simple review process in place, follow up via text or email with a direct review link.

Want help? We’ve put together The Ultimate UK Local SEO Checklist 2025, a free resource with practical steps your team can implement right away. Drop us a message and we’ll send you the Notion link.

⬇️ See the image below to spot the difference.

28/04/2025

Stop wasting time (and money) writing blog posts for your local business!

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is focusing on blog content when trying to rank higher in local search. While blog posts can help with national search visibility, they’re not the best way to move up in Google’s local map results.

Just this month, two business owners reached out asking for help with a blog content strategy, 4-6 posts a month, thinking that would push them into the top 3 local rankings. When I reviewed their websites, none of their key pages were focused on their local area or audience.

If you want to attract local traffic, your content needs to be hyper-local. And rather than pumping out blog posts, you’re better off focusing on your homepage, service pages, and making sure they align with your Google Business Profile.

Local SEO isn’t about more content, it’s about the right content, aligned with local intent. Once that’s solid, then a local content strategy might make sense.

We’ve put together a detailed Local SEO guide and checklist (over 300 points) and I’m giving it away for free. Just send me a message and I’ll get it over to you.

24/04/2025

Local SEO and the map pack is STILL one of the best ways for small, local service-based businesses to get found online. If you’re the kind of business that relies on being seen in your area - plumbing, roofing, pest control, cleaning, trades, anything like that - this stuff matters.

I put together a detailed checklist covering all the things you can do to improve your local visibility. It’s packed with practical steps and insights, and we’re always updating it with new tips and ideas as things change.

If you’d like a copy of my Ultimate UK Local SEO Checklist 2024/25, I’ll drop the link to my Notion doc in the comments.

I work with a lot of small, local businesses - real people, running real businesses, making a living and doing good work. Hopefully, this checklist helps someone out there pick up a few more leads.

Send a message to learn more

01/04/2025

Here’s something I hear a lot.

"I know I need to sort out my website, get on top of Google, maybe even show up on social media… but I just don’t have the time."

And I get it.

You’re not sitting around. You’re doing the work. Delivering the service. Managing the jobs. Answering calls. Sorting invoices. Walking the dog.

By the time you’ve finished, the last thing you want to do is figure out how to build a digital presence.

So it goes to the bottom of the list.

But the thing is, your best competitors? They’re just as busy.

They’re not better than you. They’re just visible.
They show up more often, in more places, in front of more people.
And they were prepared to invest in themselves and their business.
They backed their own horse.

And that visibility? It compounds. It builds trust. It brings in opportunities you don’t even know you’re missing.

Now I know what you’re thinking:
"This all sounds expensive."

And no, this doesn’t mean throwing silly money at the problem.

It means being smart. Knowing what’s worth your time, and what isn’t.
And offloading the things you can’t do (or don’t want to do) to someone who can.

Because when your digital presence is done well, it doesn’t feel like a cost, it feels like momentum and an investment in you and your business.

If that sounds like something you’re ready to sort, I can help.

27/03/2025

The best time to start was yesterday

I had a meeting today with a potential new client, a well-established window glazing company. They’re busy, doing well, all through word of mouth.

But… no Google Business Profile.
A website last touched in 2014.
No socials.

They admitted they’ve been meaning to sort it for years, but never got round to it. Now, they’re starting to feel the gap.

We looked at their competitors. Most had:
✔ Active Google profiles
✔ Loads of reviews
✔ Decent websites that clearly explained what they do
✔ A bit of presence on social

I explained that this isn’t about chasing trends, this is the bare minimum now, just to stay in the game.

When we talked about timeframes, costs, and what would be involved, they were surprised. Maybe even a bit overwhelmed.

They left saying they’d look for a cheaper option. Fair enough. But here’s the thing…

You might find someone cheaper. But you can’t shortcut the time or the effort that goes into building a proper online presence.

So if you’re in a similar spot, relying on referrals, and knowing deep down your online presence isn’t where it should be, start now.

It costs nothing to set up a Google Business Profile.

It costs nothing to ask for reviews.

And 99% of businesses should have a website that actually reflects what they do.

Start with the basics. The longer you wait, the more ground you have to make up.

25/03/2025

Your Homepage Isn’t Just a Welcome Mat – It’s the Start of the Customer Journey.

Most people think of their homepage as a quick intro or a place to show off their brand. But a high-converting homepage does a lot more than look good.

It leads your visitor on a journey – from curious browser to confident buyer.

Here’s what a well-structured homepage includes, and why each part matters:

1. Hero Section (Above the Fold)
This is the first thing people see. It needs a clear, benefit-driven headline, a short explanation of what you do, and a strong call-to-action (CTA).
If people can’t figure out who you are and how you can help within a few seconds, they’ll bounce.

2. Problem/Solution Section
Speak to the problem your customer is facing, then position your business as the solution.
This builds relevance and shows that you understand their needs.

3. Key Benefits or Services Overview
Break down your core services or the main benefits of working with you.
Make it easy for someone to understand what you offer and how it helps them.

4. Social Proof (Reviews or Logos)
Add trust by showing customer reviews, testimonials, or logos of businesses you’ve worked with.
People trust other people – especially when they’re making a buying decision.

5. About or Intro Section
Give a short, human intro to you or your business. Focus on how you help, not just your story.
This makes you relatable and builds connection.

6. Lead-In to Deeper Content
Link off to your service pages, blog posts, or case studies. This helps interested users explore more and keeps them on your site longer.

7. Final Call-to-Action
End with a clear, confident CTA. Book a call, request a quote, download a guide – whatever your goal is, guide them to take the next step.

When we build websites, we don’t just make them look good – we design every page to guide users through a journey that leads to action.

💬 Want help turning your homepage into a conversion machine? Send me a message – I’d be happy to take a look.

18/03/2025

Quick Tip Tuesday: How to Leverage Your Customer Reviews

Let’s talk about something simple but hugely powerful, your customer reviews.

Firstly, you are collecting them, right?

If not, you should be. Reviews are the backbone of any business’s online profile. They show the outside world that you deliver great results and help convince potential customers to choose you over competitors.

Where should you collect reviews?

⭐ Google Reviews – Essential for local SEO
👍 Facebook Reviews – Great for social proof
🏆 Trustpilot – Well-recognised for credibility
🔨 Trusted Trader – Ideal for trades and services

Don’t rely on just one platform, use them all. The more places people see your positive feedback, the better.

How to Maximise the Impact of Your Reviews

Always reply, whether the review is positive or negative. Taking the time to acknowledge and respond shows that you value your customers and care about their experience.

Use keywords naturally. When replying, mention your service and location to help Google understand what you do.

Example Reply:
“Thanks so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure helping you find the best mortgage deal in Chesterfield. If you ever need further advice, we’re always here to help.”

This reinforces your business type and location in a natural way, helping with SEO without keyword stuffing.

Handle negative reviews professionally. Every business gets them at some point. Replying politely and professionally gives you a chance to correct misunderstandings, show professionalism, and reassure future customers. Never be defensive or argumentative, your response is just as much for potential clients as it is for the reviewer.

Why This Matters

Engaging with reviews isn’t just good customer service, it helps with SEO, trust, and conversions. Potential customers pay attention to how you respond just as much as the reviews themselves.

Are you actively collecting reviews for your business? Where do you focus most, Google, Facebook, or elsewhere? Drop a comment and let me know.

17/03/2025

An national (UK) estate agent approached us with a clear challenge.

They wanted to showcase their entire property portfolio on their own website, not just rely on third-party portals. They knew portals were important, but they didn’t want to be at their mercy long term.

They also had agents operating across the UK, each needing local visibility to generate leads directly. The goal wasn’t just to rank, it was to make sure each agent was positioned as the go-to expert in their area.

What we did

✔ Built a clean, structured website where every page had a clear purpose, no bloated pages, no wasted space.

✔ Strong brand and trust signals and topical relevance so that search engines and users knew exactly what they were about.

✔ Google Business Profile strategy, every agent claimed and optimised their own profile under the main brand, making sure they showed up in local searches across the UK.

✔ Improved UX and content structure to make it easy for buyers and sellers to browse listings and connect with the right agent.

What happened next

After 16 months, the results spoke for themselves.

✔ Clicks increased by 214.94% (from 154 to 485 per day)
✔ Impressions increased by 169.09% (from 6,791 to 18,274 per day)
✔ Total brand searches and agent profile visits surged

Page performance highlights:
✔ 62,429 visits to the homepage
✔ 9,723 visits to the property search page
✔ 7,370 visits to individual property listings
✔ 3,620 visits to agent profiles, helping agents build trust and attract more direct enquiries

So what?

They now have a digital asset they control. Their website is no longer just a place to send people, it’s a lead generation machine that works alongside portals, not in their shadow.

If your business relies entirely on someone else’s platform for leads, what happens when they change the rules?