Search4Local

We’re officially stepping into the Christmas season here at Search4Local, and the office is looking merry and bright! 🎄✨

From our twinkling lights to our projected Father Christmas, the whole place is buzzing with festive energy as we gear up for a busy (and exciting!) month ahead.

We’re thrilled to share that our team walked 2,008.42 km over four weeks in support of su***de prevention! 🚶‍♀️🌍 From local paths in Devon and Cornwall to walks in Portugal, our team embraced the power of getting outside and connecting to support mental health.

As we shared last month, this challenge was part of our commitment to World Su***de Prevention Day. Alongside walking, our team completed su***de prevention training through Zero Su***de Alliance, learning to recognise the signs someone might be struggling and how to offer support with empathy, both at work and beyond.

While we didn’t set a formal fundraising target, we encouraged staff to donate directly to their local Samaritans branch. Most importantly, the initiative sparked conversations about mental health, strengthened team connection, and reminded us that supporting each other matters every day.

Thank you to our amazing colleagues who got involved in this challenge!

💙 If you’d like to contribute, you can donate to Samaritans Exeter via the link below or support your local branch:

https://www.samaritans.org/branches/exeter/

🎉 10 Years of S4L!

Our annual September conference brought together every member of the Search4Local team, from our Sales departments across the country to our Ops team here in Exeter. It was a day to remember, packed with inspiration and plenty to celebrate. 🙌💙

This year was extra special as we marked 10 incredible years of S4L, and to celebrate the milestone, everyone received special commemorative badges and branded notebooks to remember the occasion. 🥳📓✨

We reflected on the amazing successes of the past year, gave a big shout-out to some of our unsung heroes, and were inspired by a series of insightful talks from our Managing Director, Head of Sales, Head of Ops, and Head of SEO. To mix things up, we even had a hilarious game of bingo with some brilliant prizes (including a 7ft tall bear! 🐻). In true S4L style, a coffee machine was up for grabs, which caused quite a stir when two colleagues went head-to-head to win! Finally, we wrapped up the day with a delicious three-course meal at Bill's.

Events like these remind us of how far S4L has come over the last decade, and we are very excited to see what the next 10 years will bring....🚀✨

A huge thank you to the Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel for hosting another fantastic event.

The Great British Bake Off office sweepstake is rolling on, and things are getting intense... 🍰

A few weeks ago, when biscuit week saw another contestant leave the tent, the lovely Grace from our Content team rose to the challenge and treated us all to some delicious homemade biscuits 🍪, which disappeared from the kitchen in record time.

Then, for Back to School Week, it was Emilia, one of our brilliant SEO Technicians, who had to don her apron. She baked a classic school cake (sprinkles and all!) that took us right back to our childhood school halls 🎒🍰

The competition in the tent is getting tougher each episode, and our office bakes are definitely keeping pace. If the standard continues like this, we’re in for a very sweet autumn indeed. 😋

Who'll be leaving the tent tonight?! 👇

We’re halfway through our walking fundraiser in support of Exeter Samaritans, and we’re excited to share that our team has already clocked up 884.92 km towards our 2,000 km target! 🚶‍♀️🌍

Our colleagues really have been all over the map, from Hampton Court right down to the Cornish coast. Some prefer peaceful sunrise walks, others evening strolls, but no matter what, it’s all adding up. 🦌🐕🌅

Closer to home, we’ve spotted stags in Powderham, bumped into the Gruffalo in Haldon Forest, and taken in the views along the South West Coast Path, including Paignton and Salcombe.

📸 Here are some snaps from the last two weeks, including a few of our much loved office pets!

Every kilometre brings us closer to raising awareness of su***de prevention and supporting the vital, life-changing work of the Samaritans.

If you’d like to cheer us on, you can support our Exeter branch here:

👉 https://www.samaritans.org/branches/exeter/

The The Great British Bake Off is back, and so is our office sweepstake! 🎂

For those who weren't here last year, here's a quick reminder of the rules:

✅12 participating team members are randomly assigned a contestant
✅ If your contestant gets eliminated, you have to bring that week's bake for the office the following week! 🍰
✅ The last staff member standing wins bragging rights AND a prize

As you may have watched, Hassan was the first to go on Cake Week, which meant Dave, our Lead UX Designer, had to bake for the office. And wow, he did not disappoint! 😋🍰 However, word is that Dave’s wife might have had a little something to do with this masterpiece…

With Leighton being eliminated on Tuesday night, we’re already counting down the days until some tasty biscuits appear in the office 🍪

Who will crumble next? Place your bets! 😉

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day, a reminder that mental health matters and support is always available. Here at Search4Local, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels safe to speak up and seek help.

🚶 As part of our commitment to raising awareness, we’ve organised a walking fundraiser in support of the Samaritans - a UK charity providing free, confidential support for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Over the next four weeks, 19 members of our team will be walking, both individually and in groups, to collectively reach 2,000 km! This challenge not only promotes the mental health benefits of fresh air and connection, but also highlights the importance of su***de prevention.

🌿 Over the month, we’ll be sharing updates on our progress and posting photos of our staff taking part in their mental health walks.

We are proud to support our local Exeter Samaritans branch for this challenge, and we invite you to join us in making a difference. So, if you would like to contribute, please kindly donate here:

https://www.samaritans.org/branches/exeter/

You can even support your local Samaritans branch directly.

In connection with World Su***de Prevention Day, some of our team will also be completing Su***de Prevention training provided by Zero Su***de Alliance to strengthen awareness and understanding of mental health.

Alongside this, we also have several colleagues trained as Mental Health First Aiders, ready to offer guidance and support. In addition, all team members have access to confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme whenever they need it.

We know this post is different from our usual updates, but mental health is a priority for us. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and we all play a role in supporting each other.

👉 Please be on the lookout for our first update on the walking challenge soon!

***dedpreventionday

Probation: complete ✅ Congratulations to Mollie & Emma, who started their Search4Local journeys together and are now officially fully fledged SEO Technicians! 🎉

Mollie’s English Language degree and Emma’s Media & Communications background bring such a strong mix of skills, but just as importantly, they’ve built a dream team friendship along the way! Quick learners and all-around lovely people, we are so excited to see everything they’ll achieve. 🌟

The Family Fun Day and Car Boot went off without a hitch, thanks to the fantastic efforts of our senior credit controller, Natalie.

The event was a brilliant success, bringing the community together and raising an incredible £2,525 for the British Heart Foundation. ❤️

A huge congratulations to Natalie for her hard work and dedication, an outstanding achievement for such an important cause! 👏

❌ Marketing Myth: Ignore negative reviews on your Google Business Profile and they’ll go away.

✅ Reality: Responding to negative reviews can actually improve your reputation and your SEO.

A professional, helpful reply shows potential customers you care and that you’re willing to put things right. It also signals to Google that your business is active and trustworthy.

So, don’t shy away from tricky reviews! Tackle them head-on and turn them into an opportunity to improve your reputation and your online visibility.

💬 How do you handle negative reviews?

If you need help managing your Google Business Profile, contact our experts today.

01392 409159

🚨 Reminder! Just 2.5 weeks to go! 🚨

We’re thrilled to be backing a fantastic Family Fun Day, put together by one of our brilliant team members, all to support the British Heart Foundation ❤️

📅 Date: Saturday 9th August
📍 Location: Bow Village Hall, Crediton
🕐 Time: 1pm – 5pm
🎟️ Entry: FREE!

Come along for a fun-filled afternoon with games, a bouncy castle, tasty food, sweet treats, and lots more for the whole family!

If you'd like to book a stall or carboot pitch, please contact Natalie via 07572 596226.