How to Rank in “Near Me” Searches (Even If You Work From Home)

Let’s be honest—ranking for local “near me” searches when you don’t have a shop front or office can feel like trying to enter a bake-off when your oven’s broken.

You know your service is local. You serve people in your area. But if you work from your spare bedroom, a home office, or your kitchen table with a cat as your co-worker… how do you convince Google you deserve to show up next to the businesses with shiny storefronts?

The good news? You absolutely can.

Even if you never meet clients in person, even if you operate remotely, Google still has room for you in its “near me” search results—if you know what to do.

So pop the kettle on and settle in—we’re diving into exactly how to make it happen.

What Are “Near Me” Searches?

“Plumber near me.”

“SEO consultant near me.”

“Cake maker near me.”

“Counsellor near me.”

These are all location-intent searches. Google uses the searcher’s location to show results that are local, trusted, and relevant—even if they don’t mention the location explicitly.

These searches have exploded in popularity in the UK over the last few years. And they’re not just for people walking around with phones; they’re for people working from home, planning services, and searching for someone local they can trust.

The question is: if your business is run from home or fully remote, how do you compete?

Let’s explore that.

Step 1: Set Up (and Optimise) Your Google Business Profile

Yes—even if you work from home, you need a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This is what allows your business to show up on Google Maps and in local “near me” results.

🛠️ Here’s how to set it up right:

• Use a physical address — Yes, even a home address. You can hide your address if you don’t want people turning up on your doorstep.

• Tick “I deliver goods and services to my customers” and set your service area by postcode or town.

• Add high-quality photos of your work, your logo, yourself—even if it’s just you and your laptop with a brew. People connect with people.

• Fill out every field—services, business hours, contact info, keywords in your description (naturally written).

• Collect reviews—more on this shortly.

📝 Example: Sarah, a virtual assistant based in Norwich, added her service area (Norwich, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth) to her profile. Within three weeks, she started appearing for “virtual assistant near me” searches in those areas.

Step 2: Use Local Keywords on Your Website (Even Without a Physical Shop)

Google looks at your site content to figure out what your business does and where it’s based. If you don’t have local clues, you’ll struggle to rank.

👩‍💻 Here’s how to sprinkle your location naturally:

• Add your town or region to your homepage headline and meta description.

• Create a dedicated “Areas We Serve” page listing towns or postcodes.

• Include your base location in your about page or footer (e.g. “Based in Birmingham, serving nationwide”).

• Blog about local events or topics to show relevance.

🎯 Tip: Don’t just say “UK-wide.” Be specific. Think: “Providing SEO services to small businesses in Essex, Kent, and East London.”

Step 3: Build Local Citations (Without Renting an Office)

Citations are mentions of your business on directories like Yell, FreeIndex, and Yelp. These validate your location in Google’s eyes—even without a public shop front.

✅ What to do:

• List your business consistently on UK directories. Make sure your Name, Address (if using), and Phone Number match across every listing.

• Include a link back to your website.

• Use categories that match your service (e.g., “Web Designer,” not just “Consultant”).

🧠 Real-world example: James, a freelance copywriter in Brighton, listed himself on 10 directories using his home address (hidden) and started ranking locally for “copywriter near me.”

Step 4: Reviews Matter—Even If You Work Remotely

Google LOVES businesses with lots of reviews. They’re a trust signal—and they boost your visibility in the map pack and beyond.

💬 Ask every client to leave you a review, ideally mentioning your location and service.

Example:

“Sarah was fantastic! As a small business in Southend, I needed help with admin and social media. Her virtual assistant services saved me hours every week!”

🎁 Top tip: Create a template for your review request email with a direct link to your Google review form. Make it easy.

Step 5: Create Local Content (Even If You Never Leave Your House)

Local blog posts show Google—and readers—that you’re rooted in a specific area. You don’t need to write about community fairs (unless you want to). You can talk about local issues that relate to your niche.

📝 Example ideas:

• “Why Essex Businesses Struggle with Local SEO (And How to Fix It)”

• “Best Places in Leeds for a Self-Employed Coffee Break”

• “5 Marketing Trends for South West-Based Startups in 2025”

📸 Don’t forget to use local images or tag locations where appropriate—especially if you’re sharing your blog on social media.

Step 6: Add Structured Data to Your Website

A bit technical, but worth it.

Structured data helps Google understand your site better. Using “LocalBusiness” schema can give Google more context about where you are and what you do.

If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Rank Math or Yoast can help you implement this without needing to code.

Step 7: Get Backlinks from Local Sources

Links are still a big deal in SEO.

🎯 Aim for links from:

• Local newspapers or magazines

• Local business blogs

• Networking groups or business directories

• Collaborations with nearby businesses (e.g., guest posts or features)

Example: Claire, a wedding photographer working from home in Kent, got featured on a Kent wedding blog. That one link helped her start ranking for “wedding photographer near me” in her town.

Step 8: Add a Location Landing Page for Every Key Area

If you serve multiple towns or cities, consider making a page for each one.

💡 Example:

• /virtual-assistant-norwich

• /virtual-assistant-ipswich

• /virtual-assistant-great-yarmouth

Each page should:

• Be unique (no copy/paste!)

• Mention local landmarks or businesses where relevant

• Include testimonials from clients in that area (if possible)

Step 9: Tell Google Where You Work—Privately

In Google Business Profile, you can add your address but hide it from the public. This way, you get the local SEO benefits without revealing your home location to the world.

🛑 Don’t leave this blank. If you do, Google may not associate you with a location at all—which means you’ll miss out on “near me” traffic entirely.

Step 10: Get Involved in Local Digital Communities

Think Facebook Groups, local forums, community newsletters, or even LinkedIn.

You don’t have to be spammy—just helpful and visible.

📣 Tip: If there’s a “Buy, Sell, and Recommend” group for your area, join it. Share tips, answer questions, and gently link to your website when appropriate.

Real Life Example: Laura the Life Coach

Laura runs a coaching business from her spare room in Sheffield. No office. No face-to-face meetings.

But she ranks on page 1 for “life coach near me.”

How?

✅ She set up her Google Business Profile using her home address (hidden)
✅ She added “Sheffield” to her homepage and blog content
✅ She joined local business networks online and in-person
✅ She got reviews from happy local clients mentioning “Sheffield”
✅ She blogged about mental health support in Yorkshire during lockdown

It took about 3 months—but now, most of her discovery calls come through Google.

FAQ: “Near Me” Ranking for Home-Based Businesses

❓ Can I rank locally even if I don’t show my address?

Yes! Just make sure to set your service area properly and hide your address in Google Business Profile. You’ll still appear for relevant “near me” searches.

❓ Will Google penalise me for working from home?

Not at all. Google doesn’t care if you work from a fancy office or your garden shed—it cares about quality, relevance, and trust.

❓ Do I need to list my business on directories?

Yes—local citations help Google verify your business info. Be consistent across listings.

❓ How long does it take to rank in “near me” searches?

It depends on competition and how well you optimise, but most home-based businesses see improvement in 1–3 months with consistent effort.

❓ What if I don’t serve just one location?

Use service area settings in Google Business Profile and build multiple landing pages for different locations if needed.

The days of needing a shop on the high street to rank locally are long gone.

Google’s getting smarter. And so can you.

By setting up your Google Business Profile correctly, using local keywords, getting reviews, and building your presence online, you can absolutely rank in “near me” searches—even if your office also serves as your kitchen, laundry station, and home to a cat that walks across your keyboard mid-Zoom call.

If you’re feeling stuck, or just want someone to help you sort the SEO spaghetti from the solid strategy, we’re here.

🟢 Need Help Showing Up in Local Searches?

We’ve helped dozens of small businesses across the UK rank better in their local area—even those without a physical storefront.

Let us do the same for you.

👉 Contact us today for a free consultation and a no-fluff plan to get your business found.