What is 3local and how can it help my accountancy firm?
3local is a location‑based SEO platform designed to expand your visibility in local Google searches around your service area. It creates location pages connected to your Google Business Profile to clarify what you offer and where you operate, which can help nearby clients discover your practice.
I already have a website. Why should I use 3local as well?
Your existing site might perform well close to your office; 3local is designed to broaden coverage into neighbouring towns and villages. It runs on a sub-domain alongside your main site, so it typically doesn’t interfere with your design, tracking, or current setup.
Will 3local help me attract small business clients from nearby areas?
Yes—when configured for the locations you serve, 3local generates geo‑targeted content intended to reach local business owners searching in their own postcodes. Outcomes vary by competition, relevance, and your overall web presence.
How does 3local actually work for accountants?
You connect your Google Business Profile, choose your services and target area, and 3local generates structured, search‑friendly pages for nearby locations. These pages aim to help search engines understand who you are, what you offer, and where you operate.
Do I need to run Google Ads alongside 3local?
No—3local focuses on organic discovery. You can use it on its own or alongside paid ads depending on your strategy and goals.
Can I use 3local if I offer both bookkeeping and tax services?
Yes. You can list multiple services—such as tax returns, payroll, self‑assessment, VAT, CIS, or company accounts—and 3local can create a dedicated page for each service in each target location.
How does 3local improve my Google rankings?
3local cannot guarantee rankings. It adds elements commonly used in local SEO—such as location‑specific pages, relevant content, and structured data—that can make it easier for search engines to assess relevance. Actual rankings depend on factors like competition, content quality, and domain authority.
Can I appear in searches outside my main town or city?
Service‑area businesses are often eligible to appear for nearby locations. 3local helps you target those areas with dedicated pages, though visibility will vary by proximity, competitiveness, and user intent. A separate office is not required for this setup.
Will 3local help me compete with larger firms?
3local can help you target hyper‑local and long‑tail searches where larger firms may be less focussed. Whether this gives you an edge depends on your market, your content, and your website’s authority.
Can I promote specialist services, like cloud accounting or Making Tax Digital (MTD) support?
Yes, 3local can be used to promote specialist services in your desired locations. You can surface specialist services on your location pages so they’re clearly presented in each area you target, which may increase relevance for those queries.
Will 3local help with seasonal demand like tax return deadlines?
With 3local you can add time‑sensitive phrases (e.g., self‑assessment deadlines) to relevant pages for your area. Seasonal visibility still depends on competition and overall site strength.
Is 3local suitable for both independent bookkeepers and established practices?
Yes. 3local can be used by solo practitioners and multi‑person practices; you select the services and coverage that fit your setup.
Does it work well for remote or virtual accountants?
Yes. If you serve clients remotely but focus on certain regions, you can use 3local to target those locations to attract enquiries. In‑person meetings are not required to use the platform.
I don’t understand SEO. Will I be able to use 3local?
Most users find the 3local setup straightforward—log in, connect your Google Business Profile, choose services and locations, and publish. No coding is required, and guidance is available in the dashboard.
Is it safe to use 3local alongside my current SEO provider?
3local is designed to complement existing SEO efforts. It operates on a subdomain and doesn’t change your main site’s code. As with any SEO activity, search engines control rankings, so coordinate with your provider on scope and settings.
Can I choose which areas I want to rank in?
You choose a central point (such as your office postcode) and a sensible service radius. 3local then creates pages for towns and suburbs within that area. Rankings are determined by many factors outside our control.
What keywords will my firm appear for?
3local uses AI to generate optimised content, but can be edited at any time to target specific keywords. Common targets include service‑plus‑location combinations like “bookkeeper in [town]” or “limited company accountant near [village]”. You can edit content and metadata to focus on the terms that matter to you. Where you appear will depend on competition, relevance, and search behaviour.
Does 3local work for both mobile and desktop searches?
3local is designed to create mobile‑friendly and accessible pages across devices. Features such as click‑to‑call can be enabled to make contacting you easy.
Can I use it to grow a niche, like property accounting or contractor bookkeeping?
Yes. With 3local you can create pages tailored to specialised services and the locations you want to serve, which can help you reach more of those niche queries.
Is 3local only for tax season, or can I use it year‑round?
You can use 3local year‑round for services such as end‑of‑year accounts, payroll, VAT, and advisory work. Visibility and lead flow can fluctuate with demand and competition.