When selecting an SEO partner, especially for a local business, consider the following:

1. Local presence & understanding
   A firm that already works in your region (Gloucestershire / Cotswolds. Cardiff/Wales) will understand the geography, competitor landscape, and consumer behaviour better.

2. Proven case studies & references
   Ask for examples of clients in Gloucester, Cardiff or similar towns whose local rankings improved. Check their Google Maps / local pack results.

3. Service scope & transparency
   Make sure they offer the core elements of local SEO:

   • Google Business Profile optimisation

   • Citation / listing management

   • Review / reputation management

   • Localised content & landing pages

   • Technical SEO / site health

   • Reporting & metrics you understand

4. Communication & reporting
   You should have clear, regular reports (monthly or quarterly) that show traffic, rankings, leads, and which actions were taken.

5. Ethical / “white hat” practices
   Avoid firms that promise overnight #1. Make sure their backlinking practices are legitimate, and they follow Google guidelines.

6. Budget vs ROI
   Local SEO doesn’t require the same scale as national campaigns, so you shouldn’t need to pay huge thousands of pounds retainers to see results. Ask for projected timelines and expected ROI.