The Marketing District
Insights

Plain-English writing on getting found and converting

The same advice we give clients, written down. No jargon for the sake of it, no padding — just the thinking behind why some sites get found and most don't.

Illustration for What is SEO and how does it work? A plain-English guide for business owners
LatestSEO

What is SEO and how does it work? A plain-English guide for business owners

No jargon, no magic. Here's what SEO actually is, how Google decides who ranks, and what genuinely moves the needle for a business like yours.

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Illustration for What are backlinks — and how do you get good ones without getting penalised?
Off-page SEO

What are backlinks — and how do you get good ones without getting penalised?

Backlinks are the internet's version of word of mouth — and one of the strongest ranking signals there is. Here's how they work and how to build them safely.

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Illustration for How to get more Google reviews (and why they're gold for local SEO)
Local SEO

How to get more Google reviews (and why they're gold for local SEO)

Reviews are one of the highest-return things a local business can work on — a ranking factor and a trust signal in one. Here's how to get a steady stream of them.

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Illustration for Why is my website slow? The real causes and the fixes that matter
Web Development

Why is my website slow? The real causes and the fixes that matter

A slow website is never a mystery — it's a handful of specific, measurable causes. Here's how to find the one you actually have, and fix it in the right order.

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Illustration for Google Ads vs SEO: where should your marketing budget go?
Strategy

Google Ads vs SEO: where should your marketing budget go?

Google Ads buys visibility today; SEO earns it for years. Here's how to split a real UK budget between the two — with actual numbers and honest trade-offs.

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Illustration for Core Web Vitals explained: what they are and how to pass them
Technical SEO

Core Web Vitals explained: what they are and how to pass them

Core Web Vitals explained without the jargon — what LCP, INP and CLS actually measure, the numbers you need to hit, and how to fix them.

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Illustration for How long does SEO take to work? An honest timeline
SEO

How long does SEO take to work? An honest timeline

"When will we see results?" is the fair question every client asks. Here's an honest, month-by-month answer — with the caveats no one likes to say out loud.

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Illustration for Local SEO for Newcastle & the North East: the complete guide
Local SEO

Local SEO for Newcastle & the North East: the complete guide

Proximity is a ranking factor, which favours smaller firms. Here's what genuinely moves the needle for Newcastle and North East local search.

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Illustration for What is technical SEO? A plain-English guide for business owners
SEO

What is technical SEO? A plain-English guide for business owners

Technical SEO sounds intimidating, but the idea is simple: help search engines find, read and trust your site. Here is what it covers and what actually matters.

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Illustration for Shopify vs WooCommerce vs a custom build: choosing an e-commerce platform in 2026
Shopify & E-commerce

Shopify vs WooCommerce vs a custom build: choosing an e-commerce platform in 2026

There's no "best" e-commerce platform — only the right one for your shop. Here's an honest look at Shopify, WooCommerce and building custom, with real UK numbers.

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Illustration for How to choose a web design agency: 10 questions to ask before you sign
Web Design

How to choose a web design agency: 10 questions to ask before you sign

Choosing a web design agency is mostly about asking the right questions before money changes hands. Here are the ten that separate the good ones from the rest.

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Illustration for Web design agency vs website builder: what a UK business actually needs
Web Design

Web design agency vs website builder: what a UK business actually needs

Wix and Squarespace or a proper agency build? An honest look at what each actually costs a UK business — and when the cheap option quietly costs you more.

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Illustration for How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? (2026 Pricing Guide)
Web Design

How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? (2026 Pricing Guide)

An honest look at UK website prices in 2026 — real ranges for brochure, Shopify and custom builds, plus the ongoing costs nobody warns you about.

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Illustration for Why your website isn't showing up on Google (and how to fix it)
Technical SEO

Why your website isn't showing up on Google (and how to fix it)

If you can't find your own site on Google, it's rarely a mystery and almost never a penalty. Here's what's usually going wrong.

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Illustration for Crawlability 101: how search engines actually read your site
Technical SEO

Crawlability 101: how search engines actually read your site

Before a page can rank, a search engine has to find it, read it and file it. Here's how that actually works — and where it goes wrong.

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Illustration for Toxic backlinks: how to audit, clean up and earn links the right way
Digital PR & Links

Toxic backlinks: how to audit, clean up and earn links the right way

Cheap links promise quick wins and deliver long-term damage. Here's how to clean up a toxic profile and build authority that lasts.

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Illustration for Shopify SEO: structuring collection and product pages that rank
Shopify & E-commerce

Shopify SEO: structuring collection and product pages that rank

On a Shopify store, your collection and product pages are the ones that earn money. Here's how to structure them so they rank.

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Illustration for Speed, video and conversion: a fast site that still feels premium
Conversion & CRO

Speed, video and conversion: a fast site that still feels premium

A site can be cinematic and fast at the same time. Here's how we use video and rich visuals without paying for it in load time.

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