How to Rank Higher on Google with a UK Wix Website

To have any hope of ranking higher on Google, your website needs to be technically sound and give people a fantastic user experience, especially on their phones. We’re talking about fast loading times, snappy responsiveness, and a layout that doesn't jump all over the place. Google is watching these things like a hawk, and for UK businesses where nearly everyone is searching on mobile, nailing these technical details is step one.

Build a Technical Foundation for Google Success

Before you even think about writing a blog post or chasing a single keyword, your site’s technical health sets the stage. Think of it like building a house—if the foundation is dodgy, everything you build on top of it is at risk of falling apart. In SEO, that foundation is your site’s technical performance.

So many business owners jump straight into creating content and then wonder why nothing’s happening. More often than not, the culprit is a slow, clunky website that annoys visitors and sends all the wrong signals to Google. It’s worth taking a moment to properly understand what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is. It’s not just about stuffing keywords onto a page; it’s about creating a smooth experience that search engines are happy to recommend.

Decoding Google's Core Web Vitals

To stop us all from guessing what "good user experience" means, Google rolled out a specific set of metrics called Core Web Vitals. This isn’t just techy jargon; these are real, measurable signals of how pleasant your site is to use.

For a Wix site owner, these are the big three you need to care about:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This just measures how long it takes for the biggest thing on your page (like a banner image or a huge chunk of text) to load. A slow LCP means people are just staring at a blank screen, and you can bet they’ll click away.

• Interaction to Next Paint (INP): This shiny new metric looks at how quickly your site reacts when someone clicks a button or tries to open a menu. A high INP score means your site feels laggy and unresponsive, which is incredibly frustrating for users.

• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): This tracks how much your page moves around unexpectedly while it's loading. Ever tried to click a button, only for an advert to pop up and push it down the page? That’s layout shift, and everyone hates it. CLS measures just how much of that is happening.

Why This Technical Stuff Really Matters for a UK Audience

In the UK, getting these vitals right is non-negotiable. Google has a whopping 93.35% of the search market here, and the data shows that websites scoring 'Good' across all Core Web Vitals are 34% more likely to land in the top 10 results. Dig deeper, and you’ll find the average LCP for top-ranking sites is a lightning-fast 2.13 seconds.

Remember, Google is now a "mobile-first" indexer, meaning it primarily looks at the mobile version of your site. If your site is a mess on a phone, it might as well be invisible.

The good news is that as a Wix user, you have tools to help. The Wix Site Speed Dashboard gives you direct feedback on your Core Web Vitals and offers clear, actionable tips, like optimising your images or delaying certain scripts from loading. A quick audit often reveals some easy wins that can make a huge difference. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on the top 10 website audit checklist for Wix sites in 2025.

Putting your site's technical health first ensures every other SEO effort you make has a fighting chance. It's the absolute first step on your journey to rank higher on Google.

Ready to turn your Wix site into an SEO powerhouse? Contact Baslon Digital today for a professional website audit and a no-nonsense strategy to get you climbing the Google rankings.

Create Content That Ranks and Converts

Alright, with the technical nuts and bolts tightened, it's time to talk about what actually fills your website. Your content. This is your single most powerful weapon for climbing up the Google rankings. It’s how you prove your worth to your audience and, just as importantly, to Google.

This isn’t about just churning out blog posts because you feel you should. It’s about creating genuinely useful, insightful articles that solve your customers’ biggest problems. Before you even think about writing, understanding how to create a content strategy is non-negotiable if you want that content to actually do its job.

Master Keyword Research and Find Hidden Opportunities

If you want to rank higher on Google, you've got to speak your customers' language. Keyword research is simply the process of figuring out the exact words and phrases they’re typing into that search bar when they need what you offer. For a small business, this is where you can find a serious competitive edge.

Forget trying to rank for massive, vague terms like "Wix designer London." The big players have that locked down. Instead, your gold is in the long-tail keywords—the more specific, conversational phrases.

Think of phrases like, "Wix ecommerce designer for jewellery shops UK." They're longer, they have way less competition, and they attract people who are much closer to making a purchase. In fact, these specific queries make up a whopping 70-92% of all searches. That's a huge opportunity for small businesses targeting niche markets. When you get this right, you’re creating content that perfectly matches what real people are actually looking for.

Demonstrate Your E-E-A-T to Build Trust

Google doesn't just rank content based on a bunch of keywords; it ranks it based on trust. To figure that out, it uses a set of guidelines known as E-E-A-T, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Think of it as Google asking, "Does this person actually know what they're talking about, or are they just making it up?"

For a UK freelancer or small business owner, E-E-A-T is your chance to really shine. Here’s how you can put these ideas into action on your Wix site:

• Experience: Don’t just tell, show. Share real-world case studies and stories. A London-based interior designer could write a blog post detailing a tricky renovation, complete with before-and-after photos and a glowing client testimonial. That’s proof you’ve actually done the work.

• Expertise: Write the kind of in-depth guides that make you the go-to source. A freelance accountant could create a detailed breakdown of the latest UK tax changes for the self-employed, going way beyond the basic info everyone else is sharing.

• Authoritativeness: Show off a bit! Feature testimonials from happy clients, display any industry awards you’ve won, and link out to other respected sites in your field. It shows that other people recognise your credibility.

• Trustworthiness: Make it ridiculously easy for people to find your contact details, company number, and privacy policy. A proper "About Us" page with real photos and a personal story builds a human connection and skyrockets trust.

Structure Content for Readability and Rankings

Let's be honest, no one wants to read a giant wall of text, especially not on their phone. How you present your information is just as crucial as the information itself. Structuring your content so it’s easy to scan is key to keeping people on your page and signalling quality to Google.

The content that ranks at the top often uses formatting like FAQs, tables, and bullet points to keep readers engaged. In fact, these elements can improve user engagement by 32% and help you earn 3.8x more backlinks.

Here's a quick checklist to run through for every single piece of content you publish on your site. Think of it as your on-page SEO essentials.

Wix On-Page SEO Checklist

Don't forget about your older content, either. Strategically updating an old blog post with fresh information and new stats can give it a serious ranking boost. An updated post can outperform a brand-new one by 24% if it's refreshed within 90 days. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on how to write SEO content that ranks and converts.

Master Local SEO for Your UK Business

For most UK small businesses, your next customer is probably just around the corner. While having grand ambitions to rank nationally is great, the real, immediate growth happens right in your local area. Local SEO isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it’s the most direct way to get your business in front of people actively looking to buy what you sell, right now.

Think about it. When someone in Manchester searches for "best coffee near me" or "emergency plumber Salford," they don’t want a company from the other end of the country. They need a local solution, fast. Your job is to make it incredibly easy for Google to see that you are that solution. This is how you start climbing the ranks where it really counts.

Your Google Business Profile Is Your Local Shop Front

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is, hands down, your most powerful local SEO tool. It's that info box that pops up on the right of the search results and in Google Maps. A fully fleshed-out profile is a massive signal to Google that you’re a legitimate, active, and relevant local business.

The stats don't lie. A complete GBP makes a business 70% more likely to attract location visits and 50% more likely to lead to a sale. With local searches making up around 14% of all UK queries, and a whopping 42% of users clicking directly into the Google Maps Pack, you simply can't afford to neglect this.

But getting it right is more than just plugging in your name and address. To truly stand out, you need to use every feature Google gives you:

• Write a Compelling Description: Don't just list your services. Tell a story. Sprinkle in keywords naturally, like "family-run bakery in Bristol" or "expert Wix web design in London."

• Choose the Right Categories: Nail your primary category, but don't stop there. Add secondary categories to cover everything you offer. This helps you show up for more specific searches.

• Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos: Show off your work, your team, and your premises. Profiles with photos get more requests for directions and more clicks. It's a no-brainer.

• Use Google Posts Regularly: Think of these as mini-adverts for your business. Share updates, special offers, or new blog posts. They show potential customers (and Google) that you're active and engaged.

If you need a complete walkthrough on setting up your profile from scratch, check out our comprehensive UK guide to Google My Business.

The Power of Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Reviews are the lifeblood of local SEO. They're one of the strongest trust signals you can build, influencing both potential customers and Google’s algorithm. A steady stream of positive reviews tells Google you provide a great service, which can seriously boost your visibility in the local map pack.

Don't be shy about asking for them. A simple follow-up email after a job is done, or even a small sign at your point of sale, can make a huge difference. The trick is to make it as easy as possible for happy customers to leave their feedback.

Optimise Your Wix Site for Local Search

Your GBP is crucial, but your website needs to back it up. Your Wix site should scream "local" to anyone who lands on it—and that includes search engines.

A fantastic way to do this is by creating location-specific service pages. For example, if you're a photographer in Leeds who also covers Harrogate and York, create separate pages for "Wedding Photographer Harrogate" and "Wedding Photographer York." On each page, you can feature local testimonials, case studies, and details relevant to that area.

Finally, make it ridiculously easy for customers to find you. Embed a Google Map directly onto your contact page. This isn't just for directions; it reinforces your physical location to Google, tying your website and GBP together into one powerful local presence.

Ready to dominate your local search results and bring in more customers? Get in touch with Baslon Digital today for a tailored local SEO strategy that puts your UK business on the map.

Build Your Site’s Street Cred with Quality Backlinks

Think of the internet as a massive popularity contest. When another website links to yours, it’s basically giving you a vote of confidence, telling Google, "Hey, this site over here is the real deal. You should check it out!"

These "votes" are called backlinks, and they’re one of the most powerful ways to show search engines your site is credible and trustworthy.

For a small business, the idea of "link building" can sound a bit intimidating. But it’s not about getting thousands of dodgy links from random sites. It's about earning high-quality, relevant links from other reputable websites over time. This process builds your site's authority, and that's the secret sauce for climbing the Google rankings and staying there.

Create Stuff People Actually Want to Link To

The best, most sustainable way to get backlinks is to create content so good that people can't help but share it. This is what SEO folks call a "linkable asset." Instead of churning out another generic blog post, ask yourself what unique value you can offer.

What could you create that becomes the go-to resource in your little corner of the internet?

• Original Research or a Local Survey: Are you a marketing agency in Manchester? How about surveying 100 local businesses about their biggest social media headaches? Publish the results in a slick report with infographics. I guarantee other local business blogs and news sites will link back to your original data.

• A Seriously Comprehensive Guide: If you’re a freelance Wix designer, you could create "The Ultimate Guide to Launching a Wix Store in the UK," covering everything from payment gateways to UK shipping rules. This becomes a goldmine resource that others in the e-commerce world will happily reference.

• A Free Tool or Template: A financial advisor could whip up a simple, downloadable budget planner spreadsheet specifically for UK freelancers. It’s practical, provides instant value, and is super shareable.

When you create something genuinely useful and original, you're not just hoping for links—you're earning them. This is the foundation of any link-building strategy that won't get you in trouble with Google.

Get Your Name in the Right Local Directories

For any UK-based business, getting listed in reputable local directories is a brilliant—and easy—way to build foundational authority. These aren't just online phone books; they provide high-quality, geographically relevant links that scream to Google about where you operate and what you do.

Start with the big, trusted names. The key here is consistency. Make absolutely sure your business name, address, and phone number (what we call NAP) are identical across every single listing. No exceptions.

Here are a few essential UK directories to get you started:

• Yell

• Thomson Local

• The Independent Business Directory (IBD)

• Your local Chamber of Commerce website

These listings are powerful trust signals. They confirm your business’s physical presence and legitimacy, which is a massive plus for local SEO and helps you fight for a spot in the Google Map Pack.

Team Up with Others in Your Niche

Link building isn’t a solo mission. Building real relationships with other businesses and creators in your field can unlock amazing opportunities for natural, high-value backlinks. The trick is to focus on collaboration, not just asking for favours.

Picture this: you're a wedding photographer in the Cotswolds. You could reach out to a local florist, a venue, or a wedding planner whose work you genuinely admire. Offer to give them some gorgeous, professional photos of their work that they can splash all over their own website—in exchange for a simple photo credit and a link back to your site.

It's a genuine win-win. They get beautiful, free images for their portfolio, and you get a super-relevant backlink from a respected local partner. This is the kind of natural link profile Google absolutely loves. It shows you’re an active, respected member of your industry community, boosting your site’s authority one genuine connection at a time.

Ready to build your website's authority and start earning the backlinks that will propel you up the rankings? Contact Baslon Digital today to discuss a bespoke SEO strategy that gets real results.

Your Prioritised SEO Action Plan

Taking in all this SEO advice can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose. I get it. You know what you need to do, but figuring out where to start is often the biggest hurdle. Let’s turn all that theory into a practical, prioritised plan.

This isn’t just a summary; it’s a strategic roadmap designed for a busy UK business owner who’s probably juggling a dozen other things. SEO isn't a one-and-done job. It's the small, consistent efforts that really move the needle over time and deliver results that stick.

Your First 30 Days: Focus on High-Impact Wins

The goal in your first month is to lock down the biggest and quickest wins. Forget about complex, long-term strategies for a moment. We’re concentrating on the foundations that can make an almost immediate impact, especially for a local business.

Your priority list for the next 30 days is short and sharp:

• Optimise Your Google Business Profile to 100%: This is non-negotiable. Fill out every single section. Upload at least ten high-quality photos, write a detailed description packed with your local keywords, and double-check that your hours and contact info are perfect. This is your golden ticket to the Google Maps Pack.

• Run a Basic Technical Audit on Wix: Jump into your Wix Site Speed dashboard and check your Core Web Vitals. The platform is great at giving you straightforward pointers, like compressing massive images, which can give you an instant performance boost.

• Pinpoint Five 'Long-Tail' Keywords: Don't try to boil the ocean. Find five specific, high-intent phrases your ideal customer would actually type into Google. A plumber in Bristol shouldn’t just target "plumber"; they should go for things like "emergency boiler repair Bristol BS5". These are your first content targets.

This initial phase is all about building a solid foundation and getting some momentum going. By zeroing in on these high-impact tasks, you're setting the stage for the more advanced stuff that will help you rank higher on Google for the long haul.

The Next 60 Days: Expand Your Reach

With the foundations poured, month two is about creating assets and building authority. Now that your digital 'shop front' is in order, it's time to start crafting the content that draws people in and shows you know your stuff.

This is where you'll start to see the first green shoots from your keyword strategy.

• Publish Two In-Depth Blog Posts: Take two of those long-tail keywords you found and create genuinely helpful blog posts around them. Your goal is to write something significantly better than what's currently ranking. This becomes your first "linkable asset."

• Secure Five Foundational Directory Listings: Get your business listed on major UK directories like Yell and Thomson Local. The crucial part? Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are 100% consistent across every single one. No exceptions.

• Start Encouraging Reviews: Put a simple process in place to ask every happy customer for a review. A quick follow-up email with a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page works wonders. Aim for a steady trickle, not a sudden flood.

This simple, three-step approach—create, list, collaborate—is the most sustainable way for a small business to build a powerful and natural backlink profile.

The First 90 Days: Scale Your Efforts

By now, you should have a rhythm. Month three is about consistency, analysis, and doubling down on what's working. You’ve laid the groundwork; now it's time to build on it, using real data to guide your next moves.

The focus shifts from setup to a sustainable, ongoing process that continuously improves your visibility.

• Analyse Your Google Search Console Data: Log into your Google Search Console and see which search queries you're starting to appear for. You'll likely discover new keyword opportunities you hadn't even thought of. This data is pure gold for planning future content.

• Collaborate with a Local Partner: Reach out to one non-competing business in your area for a collaboration. A local wedding cake maker could partner with a wedding photographer, for example. It could be a guest post or a simple link swap, earning you a highly relevant local backlink.

• Plan Your Next Quarter of Content: Based on your Search Console data and keyword research, map out your next six blog posts. Having a clear content plan removes the guesswork and ensures you're consistently publishing valuable stuff your audience is actively searching for.

This 90-day plan breaks the overwhelming task of SEO into manageable, monthly sprints. By focusing on these prioritised actions, you can make consistent progress and build a powerful online presence that helps you rank higher on Google for the long term.

Ready to stop guessing and start implementing an SEO strategy that drives real growth? Contact Baslon Digital today for a no-obligation chat and let's build your customised roadmap to success.

Your Burning SEO Questions Answered

Look, I get it. Diving into the world of SEO can feel like trying to learn a new language. You hear a lot of jargon, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. So, let's cut through the noise and tackle some of the most common questions I hear from UK business owners.

How Long Does This SEO Thing Actually Take?

This is the big one, isn't it? The honest, no-fluff answer is: it depends. Think of SEO like planting a tree, not flipping a light switch. While you might spot little wins from technical fixes pretty quickly, seeing a real, lasting climb up the Google rankings usually takes a solid four to six months of consistent work.

It's a bit like getting fit. One trip to the gym won't give you a six-pack, but if you keep showing up, the results will absolutely follow. How competitive your industry is, the shape your website is in right now, and how consistently you work on it all play a huge part. The trick is to focus on steady progress, not a mythical magic bullet.

Is Wix Actually Any Good for SEO in the UK?

Absolutely. Let's put an old myth to bed right now: the idea that Wix is bad for SEO is completely out of date. The modern Wix platform is a powerhouse, more than capable of getting any UK business seen online.

It’s packed with all the essential SEO tools you need, right out of the box. You get full control over:

• Customisable meta tags (your page titles and descriptions)

• Structured data for those fancy "rich results"

• Clean, simple URL structures

• Top-notch mobile performance and loading speeds

When you pair these technical features with a smart content plan that speaks to a UK audience, a Wix site can go toe-to-toe with any other platform. It gives you all the tools.

Do I Have to Pay for Google Ads to Rank Organically?

Nope. Paying for Google Ads has zero direct impact on your organic (free) search rankings. Think of them as two separate lanes on the motorway. They both get you somewhere, but they don't cross over.

Google Ads is fantastic for getting instant visibility right at the top of the page for specific campaigns. But organic rankings? Those are earned, not bought. You build them over time by proving your website is high-quality, relevant, and trustworthy.

What's the Single Best Thing I Can Do to Improve My Ranking First?

For almost every local UK business I've worked with, the first and most powerful step is this: claim and fully deck out your Google Business Profile (GBP). This is your golden ticket to local search success.

Before you touch anything else on your website, make sure your name, address, phone number, and opening hours are 100% correct on your GBP. Then, write a proper business description, upload at least ten decent photos, and start asking happy customers for reviews. This single action gives you an immediate boost in local map searches—which is exactly where your customers are looking.

Ready to stop guessing and start building a real strategy to rank higher on Google? The team at Baslon Digital lives and breathes this stuff. We build stunning Wix websites that are designed from the ground up to climb the Google rankings. Let's have a chat about how we can get you where you want to go.