The Best SEO Tips for Gardeners and Landscapers
So, you’ve got a green thumb and a passion for turning patchy lawns into lush paradises — but when it comes to getting found online? That’s where things get a bit murky. If you’ve ever wondered why your competitor’s landscaping website keeps showing up on Google while yours is hiding on page seven, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a solo gardener in Southend or a full landscaping team in Leeds, this guide is packed with practical, jargon-free SEO tips to help your business grow — not just in gardens, but in Google rankings too.
Grab a cuppa, and let’s dig into it. 🌱
Why SEO Matters for Gardeners and Landscapers
Let’s be honest — most people don’t Google “landscaper” and then scroll to page 10. They click one of the first three results. That means if your business isn’t ranking well, you’re missing out on serious enquiries.
And in the gardening and landscaping world, those missed clicks can mean fewer patio installations, turfing jobs, and maintenance contracts.
Here’s what good SEO can do for you:
Get your business in front of people actively looking for gardening help
Help you stand out in competitive local markets
Turn your website into your best salesperson (one that works 24/7 without tea breaks)
Tip #1: Get Your Google Business Profile Fully Optimised
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is gold dust for local search. It's what shows up in the “map pack” when someone types something like “gardener near me”.
Here’s what to include:
Business name (keep it consistent!)
Address and phone number
Opening hours (seasonal updates help)
Categories like “landscaper”, “garden maintenance”, or “tree surgeon”
High-quality photos of your work (before and afters work wonders)
Services list – be specific (e.g., “turf laying”, “decking”, “garden clearance”)
Real-world example:
Jason, a landscaper in Colchester, saw a 40% increase in calls just by updating his profile with fresh photos and adding “resin driveway installation” to his services.
Pro tip: Ask happy clients to leave a review — and reply to all reviews, even the grumpy ones (polite responses show professionalism).
Tip #2: Target the Right Keywords (Not Just “Gardener”)
A common mistake is trying to rank for broad terms like “gardener”. The problem? You’re competing with national directories and DIY guides.
Instead, focus on local and specific phrases:
“Garden maintenance in Chelmsford”
“Patio installation Southend”
“Regular lawn care Rayleigh”
These are called long-tail keywords — less competitive, more targeted, and often more likely to convert.
How to find them:
Use Google’s autocomplete (type “landscaper in…” and see what pops up)
Check out AnswerThePublic or Ubersuggest
Spy on your competitors’ websites (what words do they repeat?)
Bonus idea: Add a “Services Area” page listing all the towns and villages you cover.
Tip #3: Optimise Your Website (Without a Tech Degree)
You don’t need to know how to code — but your website should have some basics in place:
1. Mobile-Friendly
Most people search on their phones. If your site is slow or fiddly, they’ll click off faster than you can say “wheelbarrow”.
2. Fast Loading
Use compressed images. A 10MB photo of your latest decking project will slow your site down and hurt your SEO.
3. Clear Structure
Make it easy to navigate:
Home
About
Services
Portfolio / Gallery
Testimonials
Contact
4. Include Keywords in:
Page titles (e.g. “Lawn Care Services in Billericay”)
Meta descriptions (this shows up in search results)
Image file names (e.g. “chelmsford-garden-design.jpg”)
Tip #4: Show Off Your Work with Before & After Photos
One of your biggest assets is proof. SEO isn’t just about pleasing Google — it’s about converting visitors into customers.
A well-optimised gallery page can do both:
Include a short description for each job
Add the location (e.g., “Decking project in Brentwood, Essex”)
Use alt tags for accessibility and SEO
Example from real life:
Leah, who runs a garden tidy-up service in Kent, adds a new job every fortnight to her gallery. She uses the location and service type in each image title. Over six months, her site started ranking for those combinations — and her bookings filled up faster than ever.
Tip #5: Blog About Seasonal Tips and Local Projects
Blogging may feel like something only influencers do, but it’s a brilliant way for trades like yours to:
Build trust
Show your expertise
Target more keywords
What to blog about:
“How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter in Essex”
“Top 5 Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy Homeowners”
“This Garden Makeover in Harlow Took Just 3 Days”
Why it works:
These posts attract people searching for garden help — and they help Google understand what your site is about.
Don’t overthink it. Write how you speak. Be helpful, not perfect.
Tip #6: Build Local Backlinks
A backlink is a link to your website from another site. They’re like votes of confidence for Google — and local ones are especially powerful.
Where to get local backlinks:
Join your local business directory or Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor a school fete or charity event (and get mentioned on their site)
Collaborate with local builders, fencing contractors or nurseries
List on sites like Yell, FreeIndex, and Checkatrade
Tip #7: Use Social Media — But Link It Back to Your Website
Think of Facebook and Instagram as supporting tools. They’re great for showing off projects and interacting with locals — but they shouldn’t replace your website.
Here’s how to use them smartly:
Post a teaser photo with a link to your latest blog
Share reviews and testimonials
Tag locations (especially in Stories or Reels)
The goal is to drive traffic back to your website, where people can properly explore your services.
Tip #8: Ask for Reviews — and Use Them Everywhere
Happy customers are your best salespeople. Make it easy for them to leave reviews on:
Google
Facebook
Checkatrade / TrustATrader
Use those reviews on:
Your homepage
Service pages
Quote emails
Printed leaflets
How to ask without it feeling awkward:
At the end of the job, say something like:
"If you’re happy with everything, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It really helps small businesses like ours get found."
Tip #9: Create Pages for Each Core Service
If you lump everything onto one generic “Services” page, you’re missing out.
Instead, give each major service its own page:
Garden Design
Fencing Installation
Tree Pruning
Decking & Patios
Turf Laying
This helps you rank for more keywords — and makes it easier for visitors to find exactly what they need.
Tip #10: Track Your Progress
You don’t need to become an analytics wizard, but tracking basic stats can help you know what’s working.
Use free tools like:
Google Analytics (for site traffic)
Google Search Console (for how people find you)
Your Google Business Profile Insights (for calls, directions, photo views)
Keep an eye on:
Most visited pages
What people search to find you
Where your traffic is coming from
SEO Takes Time
There’s no miracle fix. SEO is like growing a garden — you can’t just scatter some seeds and expect a jungle by next week.
But if you:
Stay consistent
Keep adding fresh content
Update your Google profile
Focus on your area
You’ll start to see results. The calls will come in. The quote requests will increase. And soon, your biggest problem will be finding time for a proper tea break. ☕
FAQs: SEO for Gardeners and Landscapers
How long does it take to see results with SEO?
It depends on your competition and consistency. Most gardeners start seeing results within 3–6 months, but some see improvements sooner.
Do I really need a website if I have Facebook?
Yes. Your website is your online home — Facebook is someone else’s rented space. Your site gives you full control, helps with SEO, and looks more professional.
What if I don’t have time to blog?
Start small. One blog post every month is better than nothing. Or hire someone who understands your industry (psst… we can help 😉).
Can I do SEO myself?
You can — especially the basics. But like most things, bringing in experts can save time and get faster results.
What’s the most important SEO tip?
Keep your Google Business Profile up to date, get reviews, and make sure your website mentions your services and your location.
Ready to Grow Your Online Presence?
If you're tired of watching your competitors get all the clicks — and you're ready to finally turn your website into a lead-generating machine — we’d love to help.
We specialise in SEO for local service businesses (including gardeners and landscapers), and we speak plain English — not tech babble.
👉 Contact us today and let’s get your business blooming on Google.
