Help Clients Find You by Location If someone is looking for support in Derby, they may search using that place name. If they want virtual services, they will search here too Back to Making the Most of Your Membership Share Tweet LinkedIn Pin Why does location matter? For many potential clients and students, location is an important part of their decision-making. They may find your profile relevant and engaging, and they will also want to know whether you work locally, cover their wider area or offer services virtually. If someone is looking for support in Derby, Manchester or North London, they may search using that place name. Completing the Locations section of your profile helps your profile appear in those searches. The same applies to virtual work. If you offer consultations, coaching or training online, selecting the virtual option makes this clear to visitors and allows them to include it in their search. What could I include? List the towns, cities, counties, regions and countries in which you provide services. Think about the words a potential client is most likely to use. They may search broadly by county or city, or more specifically by town, district or local area. For example, someone working across North London might include: North London Finchley North Finchley Friern Barnet Golders Green Hampstead Someone based in Derby might include both Derby and Derbyshire, together with any surrounding towns or areas they regularly serve. Include every location that is genuinely relevant to your work, and check that each place name is spelt correctly. How does the location search work? The Member Directory searches the location information entered on your profile. It cannot infer where you work from your postcode, business name or general profile description. It can only return the locations you have actually listed. Members sometimes ask why they do not appear in a search for a particular town or city. In many cases, the reason is simply that the place name has not been entered in their Locations section. For example, if you expect to appear in a search for Derby, make sure the word Derby is included in your list. The search facility is effective, but it is not a mind reader. Review your locations from a potential client’s perspective: What town or city would they search for? Would they search by county or region? Are there neighbouring areas you regularly cover? Do you work nationally or internationally? Do you offer virtual services? Add all relevant terms rather than relying on one broad location to cover them all. To update your locations, follow the short How to Update Your Profile guide. It takes approximately 90 seconds and shows you how to amend the information displayed on your profile. What difference will it make? Completing your Locations section can: improve your visibility in relevant directory searches help local clients and students find you show the geographical areas you cover make your virtual services easier to identify reduce unsuitable enquiries from outside your service area help potential clients make a faster, more informed choice Location may not be the most important factor to you, but it may be highly important to the person searching. Making this information clear helps you meet potential clients in their model of the world and gives your profile a better chance of appearing in the searches that matter. Act Now - Review your locations today Log in to your ANLP dashboard and check the locations currently listed on your profile. Add every relevant town, city, county, region or country you serve, and select the virtual option where appropriate. Potential clients can only find you by location when you tell the directory where you work.
