How to Get Found on Google Without Paying for Ads
- John Lally
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Want to Get Found On Google Without Paying for It?
When you search for services on Google, the first thing you see is usually ads. But scroll down a bit, and you’ll find the real competition: the businesses who show up without paying a penny.
That’s where you want to be.
The good news? You don’t need a big marketing budget to get there. You just need a few simple steps, done consistently. This post shows you exactly how to get your business found on Google, the free way.
1. Set Up (and Optimise) Your Google Business Profile
This is the #1 step if you want local customers to find you.
Head to google.com/business and set up your profile or claim an existing one.
Make sure it includes:
Accurate contact details
Service areas or location
Business hours
A clear description
Photos of your work, team, or business
Customer reviews (we’ll get to those below)
2. Use the Right Words On Your Website
Google decides what to show based on what your content says. So if your homepage just says “quality service for everyone,” it doesn’t help.
Use specific, plain-English phrases that match how people search:
“Web design in Ashford”
“Gutter cleaning for Kent homes”
“Personal training for new mums in Folkestone”
Include these in:
Page titles
Main headings (H1, H2)
Paragraphs of text
Image ALT tags
URLs (if editable)
3. Publish Useful Blog Posts (Regularly)
You don’t need to write essays, just useful content that answers questions your customers actually ask.
For example:
“How to prepare for your first session with a personal trainer”
“What to expect from a new website build”
“How to fix patchy grass before summer”
These posts help Google understand what you do, and help real people trust you.
4. Get Reviews (And Respond to Them)
Reviews tell Google (and potential customers) that you’re legit. You don’t need hundreds, even 5–10 real, detailed reviews can make a huge difference.
Ask your happy customers with a simple message:
“Would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps more than you’d think. Here’s the link.”
And when they do? Always reply.
5. Build Local Links (Even Informally)
Links from other websites help Google see you as trustworthy.
Try:
Getting listed on FreeIndex, Yell, or Checkatrade
Partnering with other local businesses and exchanging links
Getting mentioned on community websites, local blogs, or press pages
They don’t all need to be high-traffic, Google values real, relevant links more than flashy ones.
6. Be Consistent With Your Business Info
Google gets twitchy when your details don’t match. Make sure your:
Business name
Phone number
Address
Website
…are identical across your site, Google Business Profile, directories, and social media.
Even a difference in formatting (e.g. “High Street” vs “High St.”) can cause ranking issues.
7. Make Your Site Easy to Use on Mobile
If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, Google will quietly move you down the list, even if your content is great.
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check. If your site fails, fix that first.
8. Keep Going — It Takes Time
SEO is a long game. You won’t jump to page one overnight, but with consistent effort and updates, you’ll build a stronger presence that lasts longer than any paid ad.
Think of it as building a reputation, not buying attention.
Need Help Getting Started?
You can absolutely do all this yourself, that’s why we’ve written this post. But if you’d rather not spend hours tweaking and testing, we offer affordable local SEO support for Kent businesses.
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