Spotlight Lane

Name: Spotlight Lane
Address: 4 Castle Quay, Nottingham, NG71FW, GB
Telephone: +441159713834

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Spotlight Lane

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SEO, web design & photography - a streamlined service for small businesses. Nottingham-based working with clients across the UK.

16/10/2026

Happy birthday to Spotlight Lane – 1 year old! 🎉

Today is a good excuse to eat cake and have a glass of w**e (not that I need an excuse!).

Since launching one year ago today, I've created new websites, taken on SEO consultancy work for SMEs, visited Google's Zurich office for a Search Central event, and next week I'll be speaking at my first conference about SEO.

Written down, I'm kind of chuffed with that progress.

Let's see what the second year brings. Thank you to everyone who's put their trust in me!

In other news, I tried to quit my Diet Coke in a can addiction (because there IS a difference between cans and bottles) and failed.

14/10/2026

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

I’ll be speaking at Thrive in Brighton this month about why SEO is still my go-to for being found through Google and AI, what Google is looking for from your website, and the practical changes that can make a real difference to how easily couples discover your photography business.

Having run my own photography business since 2009, I’ll be drawing on my experience of both working as a photographer and helping businesses improve their visibility online.

Thrive is a two-day wedding photography conference designed to help you develop both your photography and your business. Day One features keynote talks from six leading photographers, and Day Two gives you the option to join practical shoots with the speakers or attend a full programme of shorter business talks throughout the day.

If you fancy strengthening your portfolio, improving the way you run your business or simply want to feel inspired again, this could be for you. I’ll share the link in the comments.

📍 Thrive Brighton
📅 20–21 October 2026
🎟 Get 10% off your ticket with code ALISON10

05/10/2026

Do I need a website if social media is bringing me clients?

Yes, and for 3 good reasons.

1. A website gives your business credibility. If clients find you on social media, they’re likely to check out your website to make sure everything stacks up. That’s why it’s important to keep it up to date with your current services and where your business is right now.

2. Social media accounts can get hacked. If you’ve ever tried to get in touch with the Facebook or Instagram gods to get a decision overturned, you’ll know it can be a long process, and it isn’t always successful.

3. Your website is an asset to your business that you’re in control of, unlike social media.

If you need help with your website, I create SEO-led WordPress websites for small businesses that not only look good, but will show up in Google searches.

Would you like to know more?
👉 https://spotlightlane.co.uk/web-designer-nottingham/

21/09/2026

Want more clients through Google, without paying for ads?

If you run a service-based business in Nottingham, join me for The Get Found Formula, a small, hands-on SEO workshop. I’ll explain how SEO works, what will help your website perform better in Google and AI-powered search, and what potential customers need to see before deciding to contact you.

Bring your laptop and access to your WordPress website, and you’ll work through one important page with my guidance. You’ll leave with a clearer, better-optimised page and a practical formula you can use across the rest of your website.

No previous SEO knowledge is needed, and the workshop is limited to 6 people so there's time for individual support.

The Get Found Formula
Thursday 1 October
9.30am–12.30pm
The Createry, Nottingham
£65

Bookings close Wednesday 23/9
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seo-workshop-nottingham-the-get-found-formula-for-google-and-ai-search-tickets-1998215712988

17/09/2026

How do customers find local businesses in 2026?

With so much talk about AI changing the way people search, I thought this was a good one to share.

SOCi’s 2026 Local Discovery Index found that 83% of consumers used search engines to find local businesses, 55% used social media and 52% used AI tools.

Whilst search engines are still leading the way, there’s a verification journey that includes social media, AI and reviews before someone reaches the point of contact or sale.

For social media specifically, Facebook still leads for local business discovery at 73%, followed by YouTube at 69%, Instagram at 67% and TikTok at 50%. YouTube was the one that surprised me most, purely because I hardly ever use it to search for a local business. I don’t think you need to be on every platform though - it’s more about knowing where your own customers are and focusing your effort there.

The results of this survey feel realistic to me because it’s how I buy. I might find someone through Google first and then head over to social media to see if they’re active. Or I might find someone on social media or through AI, Google them afterwards, check their reviews and then look at their website before I get in touch.

The message is that different platforms are doing different jobs, and customers are moving between them before they decide whether to contact you.

I’ve written more about the SOCi 2026 Local Discovery Index report which can be found in the resources section of my website if you fancy having a read.

09/09/2026

Is your Google Business Profile up to date?

If you don't have one, setting one up is the first thing to do ...and best of all it's free.

No. 1 check is that your primary category is right for your business. Then double-check your services and description and opening hours to make sure they still reflect your business.

Make sure your photos are up to date, request and respond to reviews and make use of the updates feature where you can share news, offers and events. Whatever I post on social media, I post on my Updates too, so there's no need to think of something new.

Need some help? I can take a look at your Google Business Profile as part of my 1-hour website audit. Find out more at:
https://spotlightlane.co.uk/seo-audits/

28/08/2026

Do you manage your own WordPress website but feel bamboozled by what to include on each page for Google and potential customers?

Join me on Thursday 1 October for The Get Found Formula, a small, hands-on SEO workshop for owners of service-based businesses with WordPress websites.

I wanted this to be more helpful than simply spending three hours watching slides and leaving with a list of things to do later. So, after an easy-to-understand introduction to SEO and where AI search fits in, you’ll choose one important service page from your own website and work through it in stages, with me there to guide you.

With only six places available, there will be time for questions and individual guidance as you work. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer, better-optimised page, a better understanding of how Google and AI search interpret website content, and a practical guide and checklist to help you repeat the process across your other pages.

The workshop takes place at The Createry in Nottingham from 9.30am to 12.30pm and costs £65.

If you have any questions before booking, feel free to send me a message.

You can find out more and book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1998215712988?aff=oddtdtcreator

26/08/2026

What did Spotlight Lane and Dunelm have in common?

Well, when I launched Spotlight Lane at the end of 2025, Google thought I was selling light fittings and used to bring up Dunelm.

Not quite the start I had in mind for an SEO business 😂 (and I love a trip to Dunelm!).

I'm not going to lie, I contemplated changing the business name straight after launch, but I was attached to it (you can call it female bonding!). Around that time, I was fortunate to chat to Google's John Mueller at an SEO event in Zurich and he basically said to give it time as it sounded like I was doing everything right.

It actually took around seven weeks for Google to understand that Spotlight Lane wasn't selling light fittings on a lane somewhere in Nottingham! And this was just to establish my brand name before I'd even got to what I wanted to be known for.

It did feel like forever, but in the grand scheme of the World Wide Web, it really wasn't.

And this can happen with a brand new business or even an established business trying to build its place in Google. Google doesn't automatically know who you are, what you do or where you should appear. You have to build those signals over time.

Once I'd started building that recognition, which was mainly through content on my website, I focused on the main search I wanted Spotlight Lane to be found for - SEO Consultant Nottingham.

Bing actually put me in the top three within a couple of months. Google took longer. By April I'd settled around position 3, before moving to No. 1 where I've been since May.

But reaching No. 1 isn't the point where I think, “Great, I've finished my SEO.” There's still plenty more I want to work on.

So last weekend, I had a wander around Dunelm’s lighting department. It’s safe to say, we’re friends again 😂

24/08/2026

Is your homepage confusing visitors, and Google?

A lot of businesses offer more than one service, which is great. However, when you try to feature everything equally on your homepage, the message can become diluted. Not only for potential clients, but for our friend Google too.

Your homepage should have one clear primary focus that visitors understand when they land on it. Your other services can still be introduced, with their own dedicated pages where you can go into more detail.

My photography website is a good example. I photograph multiple genres, but weddings are the primary focus of my homepage. It's also a really competitive market, so I've gone more personality-led with the main messaging to help differentiate myself (and because I'm genuinely a sucker for rom-coms!).

The other two examples are client websites I've built. They're very different businesses, but in both cases you can immediately see what they offer and where:

→ Earresistible - Mobile Ear Wax Removal in Nottingham
→ ToetoHeel Reflexology = Reflexology in Leicester�

Because both of these are a very personal service, the owners are featured in their banner so that visitors can immediately connect with them.

If you need any help with your messaging, give me a shout or book a website audit.

21/08/2026

Before you sign off for the weekend, here’s a quick SEO win for your website👇.

Open your website in a browser tab and look at what it says at the top. If it just says **‘Home’** or only your business name… you’re missing a big opportunity. �

This is your page title and it helps search engines understand what your page is about and can influence how your page appears in Google search results.�

Instead of ‘Home’, make sure it includes what you do and, if you are a local business, your location. For example:

�Spotlight Lane | SEO Consultant Nottingham.�

It’s such a simple change, and one that can easily be overlooked. �Take a look at yours and let me know what it says!

Address

4 Castle Quay
Nottingham
NG71FW

Telephone

+441159713834

Website

https://spotlightlane.co.uk/

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