requirements & challenges
Sampson’s Cuts, operating since the 1850s, is a beloved institution and one of the longest-standing barbershops in Islington. The primary challenge was translating this rich 150-year heritage, local authority, and genuine "walk-in" community feel into a modern, high-performing digital presence. Despite being a pillar of the community, the business needed a complete digital overhaul to effectively capture local search traffic ("barber near me," "walk-in barbers in Islington") and firmly establish their online status as the best barber in North London. So our goals were:
- Establish Online Authority: Cement their status as the best barber in North London in the digital sphere.
- Capture Local Search: Effectively rank for location-specific terms like "barber near me" and "walk-in barbers in Islington."
- Preserve Heritage while Modernising: Translate 150 years of tradition and local authority into a modern, high-performing digital presence.
solutions we provided
We executed a full-scope digital strategy focused on local relevance and brand authority. This included the design and implementation of a completely new website that visually honored the barbershop's traditional character while offering a clean, modern user experience. Simultaneously, we deployed a rigorous Local SEO strategy, optimizing the site content around key location-based terms (Holloway Road, Highbury, Islington Tube Station). We ensured the new copy clearly communicated their walk-in model and family-friendly environment, building a digital foundation that converted their historic reputation into dominant local search rankings.
The Results
Within nine months of launching the new website and implementing the Local SEO strategy, Sampson’s Cuts achieved exceptional results. The barbershop saw a 100% increase in organic traffic and a massive 75% increase in local SEO traffic, directly translating their digital dominance into increased footfall and business for one of Islington’s most historic institutions.
