If you run a pet or animal business, most of your new customers start their search for services like yours, on Google.
They’ll use phrases like “Dog groomer near me“, “Puppy trainer in [town]”, or “Emergency vet open now.” The businesses listed at the the top of the SERPs (search result pages) tend to get the call. So, how do you get your business to the top of results?
A SEO (search engine optimisation) strategy- is what you need to get your website ranked. What is SEO and how do you do it?
Most business owners are busy running the pet side of things and stretched thin or stuck on the website side. You’re grooming, walking, training or running a clinic – not worrying about off-page optimisation, writing page titles, adding NAP citations or sorting out local listings. So the website sits there looking lovely but doesn’t rank well for searches related to your pet business. Meanwhile a competitor is taking the bookings – not because they’re better at the job, but because they’re easier to find online.
What SEO Does for Your Pet Business Website
For most pet businesses, SEO is about being found by the right people at the right moment – usually locally. In practice that means:
- Showing up in “near me” searches and the local map pack
- A Google Business Profile that’s set up properly and actually working for you
- Service pages that match what people really type, like – “dog nail clipping”, “reactive dog training”, “cattery near [town]”
- A site that loads fast and reads well on a phone, where most pet owners search
- Relevant listings and links that build your visibility and trust over time
Get those elements right and you stop chasing customers – they start finding you organically.
SEO for Vets
Vet practices are one of the strongest fits for local SEO. When someone searches for a vet it’s usually urgent and always local – they want a practice near them, now. Getting your veterinary practice visible in “near me” searches and the local map pack, with a Google Business Profile is often the difference between the phone ringing at your clinic or the one down the road. If you run a vet practice and want to be found first, local SEO is exactly what gets you there.
National and Online Pet Brands
SEO isn’t just about ranking locally when you sell pet products, food or accessories online. There’s no “near me” – you’re competing nationally, so it comes down to genuinely useful content, well-structured product and category pages, and earning links and trust over time. The focus shifts from local visibility to building authority in your niche and turning browsers into buyers.
Don’t Miss Out On Potential Customers!
So, if you’ve got a pet business that’s not getting any inquiries, sales or leads from it’s website, a lack of SEO could be the culprit. If you can’t attract customers to your website via search (and that includes AI), then your missing out on a big chunk of your potential clientele.
Recent industry data reveals that UK pet owners make an average of 8.8 million pet-related organic Google searches every month. This search volume is heavily driven by 4.6 million dog-specific queries and 2.5 million cat-related lookups. With the UK pet population booming, search engines have officially cemented themselves as the primary bridge connecting pet owners to local care providers and independent shops.
A Useful Off-page Resource: SortedPets
I’m part of the digital team at SortedPets – a UK directory of trusted local pet services, from dog walkers and groomers to sitters, trainers, vets and pet shops. I’m the SEO lead, so am working to build a great community for animal lovers.
It’s a genuinely useful tool for your own SEO. Getting your business listed puts you in front of pet owners actively searching for what you offer – and it gives your website an off-page boost: a relevant, industry-specific link on an external website. This brings extra online visibility and creates a local listing that helps you show up in search. It’s one of the off-page building blocks used in a wider SEO plan. Find out more – What is Off-Page Optimisation?
Not only does a listing expose your business to potential new customers, but the link helps to build your own websites online authority score. Reach more pet owners – add your business to the directory at sortedpets.co.uk.
How I Can Help Pet Businesses & Brands to Promote their Website
My role is to look at your business goals, assess where you website is now and create a clear plan to improve your website. Some SEO agencies have a shady reputation with little feedback on what they are actually doing and what the results are. That’s not my way. Even on my most economical website optimisation retainer, you’ll get:
- A snapshot website review of where your site stands and what’s holding it back
- A clear, plain-English plan – no jargon, no tech-speak
- Priority fixes first, then steady monthly improvements
- Honest reporting so you can see what’s actually changing
And because my background is general website marketing and management, as well as SEO, I can look after the whole site if you’d rather not juggle two people – from fixing the SEO to managing the website itself.
Ready to Get Found Online By More Pet Owners?
Whether you want to fill your diary, attract new customers or simply be the business local pet owners find first, I’d love to help. Get in touch for a no-pressure chat and I’ll take a quick look at where your site stands. The Local SEO Starter Package is ideal for local pet businesses. Or if you’d just like some professional advice, check out the Power Hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you only work with dog businesses?
A: Not at all. Groomers, walkers, trainers, sitters, catteries, pet shops, vets and online pet brands – dogs, cats and beyond.
Q: I’m a small pet business – is local SEO worth it?
A: Yes. You don’t need to outrank the whole country, just be the obvious choice in your area.
Q: Do I have to use SortedPets to work with you?
A: No. SortedPets is a useful off-page resource I’m involved in and often recommend, but my SEO service is separate and works for any pet or animal business.
Q: Can you manage my whole website, not just the SEO?
A: Yes, I can take care of strategy, planning, content creation and the day-to-day running of a business website and digital marketing activities. Contact me for a chat so I can provide a full quote.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Get the basics sorted and get on the Google Map Pack with the Local SEO starter pack for £649. Or choose a regular monthly retainer with prices ranging from; £299 for 6 hours a month, £595 for 12 hours and £1190 for 24 hours per month. If you’d prefer to DIY, start with a Power Hour so you get the right advice before you get cracking.
Q: How long does it take?
A: SEO is a long-term marketing strategy so it can take a few months to start seeing results. If you have a simple website with just a few pages, the Starter Pack will give your business visibility on the map for searches near you fairly quickly. If you choose a retainer, you’ll need at least 3-6 months depending on the state of your website and your goals.
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