If you’ve ever searched for your own business on Google, you’ll know that it can be… emotional.
At Codeguys, we spend a big chunk of our week helping clients rank higher in search results. We track keywords, tidy up site structure, improve content, fix technical issues and build out local SEO strategies.
So it feels slightly ironic that:
-
We rank really well at number 1 for “Chester SEO”
-
But we’re currently only mid-pack for “SEO Chester”
Same words, different order, different outcome.
This post is us being totally honest about that, and explaining what it says about how search works today – and what really matters if you’re a business owner in or around Chester looking for help with SEO.
If that’s you and you just want the practical stuff, you can skip straight to our dedicated service page for SEO Chester.
Why “SEO Chester” and “Chester SEO” Aren’t the Same Thing to Google
To humans, “SEO Chester” and “Chester SEO” are obviously the same idea.
To Google, they’re two separate patterns of behaviour:
-
Two different query variations
-
Two different sets of user data (clicks, dwell time, returns)
-
Two slightly different “intents” attached to them
Over time, Google learns things like:
-
People who search “Chester SEO” might be looking more for agencies or freelancers in the area
-
People who search “SEO Chester” might click on slightly more “guide” or “directory” style content
-
Some sites have gone harder on one phrase in their headings, titles and internal links
The result: even though we’re clearly an SEO agency in Chester, we don’t automatically top every variant of every relevant phrase.
And that’s actually a useful reminder of something we tell clients all the time: Google doesn’t owe anyone a #1 ranking for a particular keyword – even if they’re clearly the “right” fit in real life.
The Awkward Question: “If You’re So Good at SEO, Why Aren’t You #1 for Everything?”
It’s a fair question, so let’s address it head-on.
Here are a few reasons why we’re not currently #1 for “SEO Chester”:
-
We’ve historically focused more on real-world results than a single vanity keyword
Our priority has always been:
-
Are your phones ringing?
-
Are your forms converting?
-
Are you getting better enquiries at better budgets?
It’s entirely possible (and common) to be making great money from organic search while still “only” ranking mid-page for a particular phrase that looks important on paper.
-
- We deliberately avoided awkward keyword stuffing
We’ve never liked the “cram it into every sentence” approach to SEO copy. Our content is written for humans first, not as a wall of repeated phrases like “SEO Chester agency Chester SEO services in Chester". -
Search is increasingly about entities and relationships, not just keywords
Google cares about:-
Who you are
-
Where you’re based
-
What you’re known for
-
How customers talk about you
That’s why things like reviews, mentions, brand searches, and consistent local data all matter alongside the words on a page.
-
-
Other sites are also trying to rank for “SEO Chester”
It’s not an empty space. Other companies in and around Chester are targeting that phrase too, some with very specific pages or exact-match optimisation.
So yes, we’re slightly annoyed in a purely nerdy SEO way that we’re not higher for “SEO Chester”. But it’s not a red flag about our ability – and if anything, it’s a live example of how nuanced search has become.
What Our “SEO Chester” Page Is Actually For
When we built our dedicated page for SEO in Chester, it wasn’t just to hit a keyword quota. It was to answer very specific questions local businesses have, like:
-
How is local SEO different from generic SEO advice in blog posts?
-
What does a realistic, sustainable SEO plan look like for a Chester-based business?
-
How do I compete against bigger brands, directories and booking platforms?
-
What kind of results and timelines should I expect?
If you’re actively researching SEO and found this blog, chances are you’ll also find the service page useful at SEO Chester.
That page goes into the nitty-gritty of:
-
How we audit your current visibility
-
How we improve your site structure and content
-
How we handle technical issues and Core Web Vitals
-
How we build out local signals (Google Business Profile, citations, reviews)
-
How we track progress in ways that make sense to non-SEO people
This blog you’re reading now is more about honesty and philosophy: explaining why we’re comfortable being transparent about the fact we’re not #1 for every possible phrase.
Rankings Are a Metric, Not the Mission
Here’s something we repeat a lot in client calls:
“Ranking is a means to an end. The end is more of the right people choosing you.”
Some important truth bombs:
-
You can rank #1 for a phrase that nobody types into Google
-
You can rank #6 for a phrase and still get plenty of qualified clicks if your title and snippet speak directly to what people want
-
You can get fantastic results from the local map pack, brand searches and long-tail queries without ever obsessing over one trophy keyword
For most of the Chester businesses we work with, the things that really move the needle are:
-
Getting their Google Business Profile in shape and consistently fed with photos, posts and reviews
-
Fixing slow, clunky websites that bleed visitors before they even see the content
-
Creating clear, helpful pages that actually match what people are searching for (not just generic “services” pages)
-
Adding proper structured data (schema.org) so Google understands services, prices, reviews, FAQs and location
Where does “SEO Chester” fit into that? It’s one of several important phrases – but it’s not the whole game.
So… Should You Worry If You’re “Only” #6 for a Keyword?
Short answer: it depends.
If you’re:
-
Not getting enquiries
-
Not showing up anywhere in search
-
Not present in the local map pack
…then yes, there’s work to do.
But if:
-
You’re generating steady, growing business from organic search
-
You’re visible for dozens or hundreds of relevant phrases
-
Customers are telling you “we found you on Google” regularly
…then your position for one specific phrase – even a phrase like “SEO Chester” – is just one line on a much bigger report.
In our case, it’s a line we’re working on. But it doesn’t stop us doing great work for clients every week.
What We’re Actively Doing About “SEO Chester”
We’re not passive about it. Behind the scenes, we’re:
-
Improving internal linking so that key pages (like our SEO Chester service page) are easier for both users and search engines to find
-
Refreshing and expanding content where it genuinely helps potential clients understand what we do
-
Continuing to build real-world signals: reviews, case studies, mentions, and collaborations with local businesses
-
Monitoring how “SEO Chester” performs alongside other important phrases like “Chester SEO agency”, “local SEO Chester” and service-driven searches
In other words, we’re doing exactly the kind of work we’d recommend to you.
If You’re Googling “SEO Chester”, Here’s the Bit That Matters
If you landed here after typing “SEO Chester” into Google, here’s what you probably care about most:
-
Can these people actually improve my visibility and enquiries?
-
Will they explain what they’re doing in normal language?
-
Are they local enough to understand Chester’s market, but technical enough to handle the complex stuff?
The honest answer?
-
Yes, we can help.
-
Yes, we’ll keep it human.
-
Yes, we’re very much part of the Chester business community.
If you’d like to see exactly how we approach it – with pricing, process and next steps laid out – have a read of our dedicated page for SEO Chester.
And if you’d rather just talk it through, drop us a message or give us a call. Whether we’re ranking #1 or #6 for a particular phrase on any given day, the job is the same: make sure the right people can find you, understand you, and feel confident choosing you.
