Despite the consensus that alcohol markets are slowing down, search in the alcohol sector has grown by an impressive 10% YoY. But there’s one brand that’s stirring up more of a fizz. Family-owned wine sellers Laithwaites are ageing to perfection with their tasteful approach to SEO. Here’s what they’re doing right.
A smooth site structure to everyone’s taste
A well-organised website is key to ranking highly in search engines. Laithwaites has built a site structure that makes it easy for search engines to crawl while also offering users a seamless experience. The intuitive layout helps both bots and humans find exactly what they need—whether that’s a perfect bottle of red or subscription details—without any hassle.
A full-bodied backlink profile
When it comes to SEO, backlinks are gold. Laithwaites has cultivated thousands of quality backlinks from reputable domains. This not only boosts their authority in the eyes of Google but also helps build trust with potential customers. A solid backlink profile translates to better rankings and more visibility, both of which are driving organic traffic.
Savouring intent-driven searches
Laithwaites knows that the secret to capturing the most valuable customers lies in long-tail keywords. Instead of competing for broad, generic terms like “wine,” they focus on more specific search terms like “best red wine subscription.” This strategy brings in users who are more likely to be ready to make a purchase or sign up, thus increasing conversion potential.
Keeping the site well-aged and fresh
Search engines love fresh content, and Laithwaites consistently updates their site to stay relevant. These regular updates signal to Google that the site is active, helpful, and worth ranking. Whether it’s adding new product offerings, seasonal recommendations, or engaging blog posts, Laithwaites ensures their site is always fresh for both users and search engines.
Fast service: keeping users poured in
In today’s digital world, speed is everything. Laithwaites has optimised its site for lightning-fast load times, ensuring that users stay on the page long enough to browse—and maybe even make a purchase. Fast page speeds reduce bounce rates and improve the overall user experience, both of which help with ranking.
Results that speak for themselves
When you combine all these strategies and execute them consistently, month after month, year after year, it’s no surprise that Laithwaites’ organic traffic is on a steady upward climb. They’ve grown a full 72% faster than the industry average, climbing four places in our 2025 Alcohol Industry Index. They’ve cracked the top five, edging in right behind the longstanding giants like Whisky Exchange and Majestic.
This goes to show that it’s not about a single explosive growth spurt or viral campaigns. Instead, a solid, consistent approach to improving their online presence has paid off.
How to bottle up success for your business
If you’re looking to savour the same growth as Laithwaites, here are the keynotes to focus on.
- Create an easy-to-use website, tailored to real people
- Build authority for your brand through backlinks
- Focus on long-tail keywords to meet users further down the funnel
- Make sure your site is up-to-date and relevant
- Check your page speed so users aren’t kept waiting
These insights were distilled from our 2025 Salience Alcohol Industry Index, which serves up 9,600+ keywords and strategies from over 100 top-performing brands. We help brands like yours tap into actionable goals to stay ahead of the competition.
With around 72 hours of market research saved, you can pour yourself into these valuable insights and start improving your site’s performance today.
Want to learn more? Download the full report.
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