For architects · 7-min read
SEO for architects
Developers and homeowners searching 'architect [town]', 'architectural design [area]', 'planning permission [location]' want portfolio proof, cost clarity, and process transparency. Rank on base page; B2B outreach handles geo-specifics.
Run a free auditPortfolio
Trust driver
before/after required
RIBA member
Credibility signal
displayed prominently
Planning success
Differentiator
% of approvals shown
Fee structure
Transparency
% of build cost or fixed
The 5 things that move the needle for architects
If you only had a fortnight to invest in your online presence, do these in this order.
Project-type portfolio (residential, commercial, extensions, new-build, listed buildings)
Show range. Different project types have different design considerations.
Planning + design process explained
Feasibility → planning drawings → detailed design → tender → completion. Manages expectations.
RIBA membership + accreditations visible
Link to RIBA register. Reassures clients of professional standards.
Fee structure transparent (% of build, hourly, fixed)
'Typically 10-15% of construction budget, depending on scope. See sample calculations.'
Planning success rate + timelines
'95% of applications approved on first submission; average 12-16 weeks to approval.'
What we see in the wild
Common architect-site SEO failures we find in real audits.
Portfolio missing or dated. RIBA status not mentioned. Design process unclear. Fee structure vague. Planning success rate not shared.
What happens when you run a Flatline audit on a architect site
We score your homepage
Performance, on-page SEO, mobile, security, social, crawlability and structured data graded into a single Visibility Score 0-100.
You re-run on a service / specific page
Audit a service-specific page (treatment, menu, area). Service pages usually score 10-15 points lower than homepage — that's where the work is.
We surface the architect-specific gaps
Missing schema, no service-specific landing pages, NAP inconsistency, weak structured data — every finding is mapped to what a architect loses by ignoring it.
Track monthly
Re-audit on the 1st of every month. Watch the score climb as you ship fixes. Show the trend in budget conversations.
"After publishing planning-success rates and example fee calculations, we attracted serious developers who valued transparency and average project value increased 30%."
A Dublin architect (real client, anonymised)
Common questions
How much does an architect cost?+
Explain fee models. 'Typically 10-15% of construction budget, or hourly rates £150-300+. Free initial consultation.'
How long does planning take?+
Set expectations. 'Design phase 4-8 weeks, planning submission 1-2 weeks, decision typically 8-13 weeks.'
Can you help with a listed building?+
If yes, promote expertise. 'We specialize in listed-property conversions and have 95% conservation-approval rate.'
Is the score the same nationwide?+
Visibility Score itself is universal. What it predicts (rankings) varies by competition. A 70+ in a smaller town often means top of local pack. The same 70 in central London might still be page 2 — competition is the multiplier.
Audit your architect site
15 seconds, no card, plain-English findings tailored to your trade. We'll show you exactly what's costing you customers.