ElderIndex
The CARE Framework

A methodology built for the care sector.

Generic SEO frameworks were built for generic businesses. We built a four-pillar approach around the specific ways families search for care in the UK — directories, local search, regulatory signals, and technical performance.

C
Credible

Can a family trust what they're reading?

Credibility is about proving that your care home is legitimate, safe, and operating to recognised standards. It ensures families feel secure when researching your services.

Learn about Credible Framework

Key Focus Areas

  • CQC rating integration
  • Evidence-based claims
  • Expert-led content
A
Authority

Does the wider care sector recognise you?

Authority is built outside your website. It reflects how often your home is referenced, listed, and talked about elsewhere across the care ecosystem. We focus on ensuring your authority is felt through sector-specific backlinks, directory prominence, and deep local listing consistency that signals your expertise to search engines.

Learn about Authority Framework

Key Focus Areas

  • Local listing consistency
  • Directory prominence
  • Sector-specific backlinks
R
Relevance

Is this the right answer for the searcher?

Relevance ensures your content matches what families are actually looking for, both in wording and accuracy, across all your digital profiles. By aligning your message across every platform, we ensure that when you are being found online, the information is precise and trustworthy.

Learn about Relevance Framework

Key Focus Areas

  • Intent alignment
  • Multi-channel consistency
  • Answering crisis-driven questions
E
Effective

Does the website actually perform?

Vanity metrics tell you very little. We track the things that actually affect your business — enquiry volume, Map Pack position, Carehome.co.uk ranking, occupancy trend. If the work is effective, those numbers move.

Learn about Effective Framework

Key Focus Areas

  • Technical SEO delivery
  • User experience (UX)
  • Measurable enquiry outcomes

The Directory Gap

One of the most common issues we find in our framework audits is the gap between a provider's website and their directory profiles. This inconsistency actively hurts your rankings.

Read about the Relevance pillar
90%
of providers have inconsistencies
Carehome
The UK's #1 directory

See where your CARE signals stand

The audit covers all four pillars. We look at how your site, directories, and local authority hold up against the framework and tell you where the gaps are.

Get your free audit