My first job in search engine optimisation was in 1997. So much has changed - SEO is more nuanced than ever before, with every character, every comma having an effect.
In addition to writing about SEO and speaking at various conferences, I enjoy actioning it myself too. There's nothing quite like sending a client a graph showing their organic traffic skyrocketing - without them having to increase their monthly spend.
As Chair of the Queen Margaret College Foundation Trust, I am always looking for practical ways to strengthen the connections within our wider QMC community. The QMC Business Directory is one of those projects. I created, coded and host the entire directory as a way of helping QMC families, alumni, supporters and friends discover and support businesses with a genuine connection to the school.
The idea behind the directory is simple. We have an incredibly talented, generous and enterprising community, but it is not always easy to know who does what, where they are based, or how to contact them. The directory brings those connections together in one clear, fast and useful place.
Visitors can browse all listed businesses, explore different categories such as Business, Community and Advisory, or search for a specific type of service. Each listing is designed to be simple to use, with direct links, contact details, location information, maps and an easy vCard download, so details can be saved straight to a phone.
I also built the directory with search in mind. For each business, a listing provides another useful, relevant page online, with structured information that can help search engines understand who they are, what they do, and how they are connected to the QMC community. That can be valuable for traditional SEO, but it also matters for AI Search. As more people use AI tools to find businesses, services and recommendations, clear, well-structured, trustworthy pages become even more important.
Speed was also a major priority. I wanted the directory to feel light, quick and easy to use, especially on mobile. There is no point creating a community resource if it is slow, clunky or difficult to navigate. The aim was to make something that people could use naturally, whether they are looking for a business now or simply saving a contact for later.
Members of the QMC community can also add their own business, helping the directory grow into an increasingly useful resource over time.
For me, this project reflects what the Foundation Trust is all about: generosity, connection and long-term support for the school community. The QMC Business Directory is not just a list of businesses. It is a practical way to support one another, improve visibility for QMC-connected enterprises, and create a stronger network around the school.