SEO in Aberdeen
Aberdeen has been the centre of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas industry for decades and is now positioning itself for the energy transition. Its economy, granite architecture and distance from other big cities give it a distinctive local market.
Energy and the energy transition
Since the 1970s Aberdeen has been the main base for the North Sea oil and gas sector, with operators, contractors and supply chain firms in the city and around Dyce near the airport. The city is now also focused on offshore wind, hydrogen and other low-carbon energy, and many firms are adapting their services.
For B2B firms, search visibility depends on clear, specific pages: what you do, the standards you meet, and the projects you have worked on. Buyers in energy tend to be technical and expect detail, and many search for specific skills or certifications.
The harbour, Footdee and the city centre
Aberdeen’s harbour is one of the busiest in Scotland, supporting offshore vessels as well as ferries to Orkney and Shetland. Footdee, a small former fishing village at the harbour mouth, is a well-known local landmark. Union Street is the main thoroughfare, and the Bon Accord and Union Square centres are the main shopping areas.
The city centre has been going through changes in recent years, and many residents use local high streets in areas such as Rosemount, Ferryhill and Torry, as well as nearby towns such as Westhill, Ellon and Stonehaven.
Universities and Old Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, with its historic King’s College in Old Aberdeen, and Robert Gordon University bring students and research to the city. Old Aberdeen has a quieter, historic feel, while student areas around the centre see the usual term-time patterns for rentals, food and services.
Because Aberdeen is relatively isolated from other large cities, people tend to look for services locally. A strong local presence on Google, with a complete profile and clear service areas across Aberdeenshire, can be very effective.
A first month’s checklist for Aberdeen
If you sell to the energy sector, list the certifications and standards you work to on the pages buyers actually read, rather than in a PDF. If you serve households, check that your Google Business Profile covers the Aberdeenshire towns you really drive to, from Westhill to Stonehaven, and that your opening hours reflect winter daylight. Then pick the single service that brings in the most profitable work and make that page the most detailed one on your site.
What AffordSEO does for Aberdeen businesses
We run a technical check, improve a batch of pages each month, help with content and send a plain-English report. For energy-related firms we focus on detailed service pages; for local businesses we focus on service areas and profile accuracy.
It costs £99 a month with no contract. Our B2B SEO guide is useful for Aberdeen’s energy supply chain.
Aberdeen SEO questions
How should energy firms in Aberdeen describe a shift towards renewables?
Be specific about the work you actually do, such as offshore wind, hydrogen or decommissioning, with examples. Vague claims about the energy transition are easy for buyers to ignore.
Should I target Aberdeenshire towns like Westhill or Ellon?
If you serve them, yes. Many residents search using their own town names, and genuine pages about your work there can help.
Is Dyce worth mentioning for B2B services?
If you serve businesses around the airport and the industrial estates there, yes. It is a well-known business area.
Do students affect search demand in Aberdeen?
Yes, around the universities. Rentals, food and services see peaks at the start of term.
Related reading for Aberdeen businesses
Sector guides that match the local economy:
Guides that go deeper on the points above:
Nearby location guides:
Always-on SEO for Aberdeen businesses
Your whole site, audited free. No card and no obligation.