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Accountancy Practice Launch Programme · Stage 8 of 10
Get Found
Get found by the business owners searching for an accountant near them, on Google and in the directories that matter.
How long
~1–2 weeks to set up, then ongoing
You’ll have
A practice that shows up where clients search
Steps
4 steps
Resources
3 resources
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01 Step 01
Step 01
Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile
For a local practice the Business Profile and Map pack are often the single biggest source of local discovery.
Do it yourself
- Create or claim the profile with your exact name, address and phone, matching your website.
- Set the primary category to “Accountant” or “Tax preparation”, then fill in your services, hours and a description of who you help.
- Add photos of you and your workspace, and turn on messaging.
- Complete Google’s verification (postcard, phone or video, whichever it asks for).
Common mistake · Inconsistent name, address and phone across the web and directories, which dilutes local ranking, or leaving the profile half-filled.
Time~half a day, plus the verification wait CostFree DifficultyEasyResource for this step
CHECKLISTLocal visibility checklist
Every Business Profile field to complete, the name, address and phone to keep consistent, and the photos and verification to finish.
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02 Step 02
Step 02
List in the professional-body directories
The professional-body directories are high-trust, high-intent lead sources, and free with your membership.
Do it yourself
- If you are a member, complete your profile in your body’s directory: ICAEW’s “Find a Chartered Accountant”, ACCA’s directory, or AAT’s “Find an accountant”.
- Fill in your niche, services and location so you appear in filtered searches.
- Add a few relevant free or low-cost local and niche directories on top.
- Keep every detail identical to your Business Profile and website.
Common mistake · Not realising the directory listing is included with your membership, and leaving it blank while you pay for it anyway.
Time~1–2 hours CostFree with membership DifficultyEasyResource for this step
PDFDirectory tracker
A single worksheet to log every directory you should be in, its URL, and whether the listing is live and current.
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03 Step 03
Step 03
Do foundational local SEO
Ranking for “[service] in [town]” wins the clients who are actively looking right now.
Do it yourself
- Build location- and service-specific pages, like “accountant in [town]” or “VAT returns for [niche]”.
- Get listed consistently across local citation sources.
- Ask for a review after each early win, since reviews feed your local ranking.
- Track the target keywords you are trying to rank for.
Common mistake · Chasing national keywords a solo practice cannot win, instead of the local and niche long-tail that is actually within reach.
TimeOngoing, ~1 day to set up CostFree–low DifficultyMedium -
04 Step 04
Step 04
Set up a review-generation habit
Reviews are the strongest social proof for a service where trust decides everything.
Do it yourself
- Create a short Google review request link.
- Build the ask into your delivery, right after a successful filing.
- Reply to every review in a calm, professional tone.
- Never incentivise or fabricate reviews, which breaches both professional conduct and Google’s rules.
Common mistake · Waiting until you “have time” to ask, when the best moment is right after you deliver a win, and then it passes.
Time~1 hour to set up, then minutes per client CostFree DifficultyEasyResource for this step
PDFReview request templates
A ready email and SMS you can adapt, built around asking right after you deliver a win.
What you’ll have after this stage
- A verified, complete Google Business Profile
- Your professional-body directory listing filled in, if you are a member
- Consistent name, address and phone across every listing
- Local and niche pages targeting the terms you can win
- A habit of asking for genuine reviews at the right moment
Next · Stage 9 of 10
Win Your First Clients
Keep going yourself — carry your momentum straight into the next stage.
Prefer we build it?
Hand this stage to us
Setting up local visibility and keeping it running is one of the things we do most. We can build out your Business Profile, the local SEO behind your service pages and a steady review flow, then look after them so enquiries keep coming in without you thinking about it. No inflated promises, just the groundwork done properly.