4 Simple Discoverability Tips to Help Your Website Grab Attention
- Alexander Pugh
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Your website might be visually beautiful, filled with great copy, and built with care… but if people can’t find it, none of that hard work matters.
Whether you’re a small local business or a large brand with national reach, discoverability, the ease with which your website can be found online, is a crucial part of your digital marketing strategy. Getting found by the right people, at the right time, on the right platform can be the difference between a website that sits silently and one that actively drives business.
Here at The Ocean Agency, we specialise in helping businesses improve their digital visibility and create stronger connections with customers. So, we’ve put together four simple, practical tips you can use to make your website more discoverable starting today.
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal. Especially if you’re targeting a local or regional audience. When someone searches for your business name or something like “eco-friendly gift shops in Cornwall”, Google uses your profile to decide if you’re relevant.
A well-optimised Google Business Profile should include:
Accurate contact details (business name, address, phone number, website).
Business hours, especially seasonal or holiday updates.
Photos of your premises, products, or team to build visual trust.
Regular posts about events, offers, or news to show your business is active.
Customer reviews, along with thoughtful responses.
Your Google profile helps you show up in Google Maps and the local pack (those top three business results that appear on location-based searches). It also improves your credibility—customers are far more likely to click on a business that looks active, trustworthy, and transparent.
💡 Top tip: Set a monthly reminder to check and update your Google Business Profile. Even a small change, like a new photo or review response, signals to Google that your business is active and engaged.
Search engines don’t automatically know where your business is based. You have to tell them and you do that by including local keywords throughout your website, especially on your homepage.
Let’s say you run a yoga studio in St Ives. Instead of saying “A relaxing space for yoga and mindfulness”, try: “A relaxing St Ives yoga studio offering mindfulness classes and coastal wellness retreats.” Adding phrases like “in [your town or area]”, “near [local landmark]”, or even “[service] in Cornwall” helps search engines understand where you’re located and which searchers might benefit most from your services.
Where should these keywords appear?
In your page title and meta description
Within your homepage headings (H1, H2)
Throughout your main content
In your image alt text and URLs
Just remember to keep it natural. Avoid ‘keyword stuffing’ and always write for humans first, Google second.
Top tip: Think about how visitors speak when searching. Instead of just “gift shop”, they might type “where to buy handmade gifts in Fowey”. Use these natural phrases in your content.
Google is in the business of answering questions, and your website should be too.
Adding a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to your website is an easy, effective way to build authority, answer customer concerns, and increase your visibility in search results. Better yet, each question you answer could become a featured snippet the coveted “zero position” at the top of Google’s search results.
Here are some ideas to get started:
Customer service-based: “Do you deliver to mainland UK?” “How long is shipping?”
Product or service-based: “What’s the difference between cold-pressed and heat-pressed juice?”
Location-based: “Where can I find organic skincare in Padstow?”
These questions work well not only on a dedicated FAQ page but also as the basis for individual blog posts, social media content, or even video explainers.
Top tip: Use Google’s “People also ask” section or tools like AnswerThePublic to find out what your customers are Googling, then build content that answers it.
While they might feel a little old-school, local directories still carry weight, especially when it comes to local SEO and brand visibility. Getting your business listed in the right places tells search engines that you’re a real, established business, and it helps customers find you via multiple channels.
Look for local, reputable directories like:
Local tourism sites or town-based business groups
Industry-specific directories (e.g. “ethical homeware” or “independent bakeries”)
Customer review sites (e.g. Yelp, TripAdvisor or Trust Pilot)
When listing your business, make sure your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are exactly the same across all platforms. This consistency is key to building local search authority.
Don’t forget to include your website URL, relevant categories, and a compelling business description. Some directories also let you add images, opening hours, and customer reviews, take full advantage of these features.
Top tip: Keep a spreadsheet of where your business is listed. That way, you can update details quickly if anything changes.
Why Discoverability Matters More Than Ever
Improving your website’s discoverability is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your online presence. Unlike paid advertising, these efforts have long-term benefits and help create a stronger foundation for your digital footprint.
More discoverability = more traffic
More traffic = more engagement
More engagement = more conversions
Whether you’re a small business just starting out or an established brand wanting to grow, these four discoverability strategies are simple, scalable, and proven to work.
Need a Helping Hand?
At The Ocean Agency, we specialise in helping businesses across Cornwall and beyond optimise their websites, boost discoverability, and tell their brand stories effectively across digital platforms.
If you’re ready to make your website work harder, and be found more easily, we’d love to chat.
Give us a call or send us an email to discuss this further with one of our experts.
