Common SEO Mistakes Small Businesses Make

November 13, 2024

Small businesses often stumble with SEO, missing out on crucial online visibility. Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest blunders and how to fix them:

Ignoring technical SEO
- Slow site speed
- Mobile unfriendliness
- Indexing issues
Content mishaps
- Duplicate content
- Keyword stuffing
- Thin, low-quality pages
Local SEO neglect
- Incomplete Google My Business profiles
- Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info
- Lack of local content
Poor link building
- Buying low-quality links
- Neglecting internal linking
- Ignoring local backlink opportunities
Set-it-and-forget-it mentality
- Not updating content
- Failing to track performance
- Ignoring algorithm updates

Fix these issues, and you’ll see a boost in rankings, traffic, and leads. Remember: SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.

Need help? Consider professional SEO services to jumpstart your online presence.

SEO Basics for Small Business

SEO isn’t just fancy tech talk – it’s your small business’s ticket to online success. Let’s break it down and see how it can supercharge your growth.

What SEO Means for Your Business

Think of SEO as your round-the-clock digital salesperson. It’s all about making your website the top answer when potential customers ask Google a question.

Here’s a mind-blower: 68% of online experiences kick off with a search engine. If you’re not showing up in those results, you’re missing out on a ton of potential customers.

But it’s not just about being seen – it’s about being seen by the right people. Good SEO is like having a billboard that only pops up for folks interested in what you’re selling.

How SEO Helps Small Businesses Grow

SEO isn’t just nice to have – it’s a growth machine for small businesses. Here’s the lowdown:

It boosts your visibility. The higher you climb in search rankings, the more people see your business.
It brings in targeted traffic. SEO attracts people actually looking for your stuff. These visitors are more likely to become customers.
It’s cost-effective marketing. Unlike paid ads, SEO can deliver long-term results without ongoing costs.
It builds trust. When you’re at the top of search results, people trust you more. They figure if Google likes you, you must be good.
It gives you an edge over competitors. A solid SEO strategy can help you punch above your weight, even against bigger businesses.

Let’s look at a real-life example. A small bakery in Portland, Oregon, gave SEO a shot in 2022. Within six months, their organic search traffic shot up 150% and online orders jumped 75%. The owner, Sarah Thompson, said:

"We were getting crushed by bigger chains. But after focusing on local SEO and creating content about our unique sourdough process, we’ve seen a huge increase in foot traffic and online orders. SEO has been a game-changer for us."

Check out these eye-opening stats:

93% of online experiences start with a search engine
The top five organic Google results grab 67.60% of all clicks
76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a related business within a day

The message? If you’re not doing SEO, you’re leaving money on the table.

But here’s the thing – SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it deal. It needs ongoing work and tweaking. Google’s always changing its algorithms, so your SEO strategy needs to keep up.

Adam Steele, Founder and COO at Loganix, nails it:

"Good small business SEO isn’t just about getting seen. It’s about figuring out where your potential customers are searching and giving them the answers they need."

To get started, focus on these key areas:

Keyword Research: Find out what terms your customers use to find businesses like yours.
Quality Content: Create stuff that’s valuable and relevant to your customers.
Technical Optimization: Make sure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy for search engines to understand.
Local SEO: If you’ve got a physical store, optimize for local searches by claiming your Google Business Profile.

Common Technical SEO Problems

Small businesses often miss technical SEO issues that can tank their online visibility. Let’s look at the big offenders and how to spot them.

Slow Sites and Mobile Problems

Speed is king in today’s digital world. A slow website? It’s like a store with a locked door – customers will bounce. Google knows this and uses site speed as a key ranking factor.

Here’s the kicker: 53% of visitors will ditch a page if it takes over 3 seconds to load. That’s a lot of potential customers gone before they even see what you’re selling.

What you need to know:

Mobile is EVERYTHING now. Google uses mobile-first indexing.
Core Web Vitals are crucial. Two-thirds of this update focuses on speed, specifically LCP and FID.

Shane Barker, a Digital Marketing Consultant, doesn’t mince words:

"The biggest mistake that you can make with mobile SEO is having a site with improper redirects and mobile-only errors."

How to fix these issues:

Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to check your site’s performance.
Optimize images – resize and compress them.
Cut down on HTTP requests and redirects.
Make sure your mobile site is responsive to avoid mislinking issues.

Missing Data and Search Engine Access

If search engines can’t read your site, you might as well be invisible online. Many small businesses accidentally block crucial elements that search engines need.

Watch out for:

Robots.txt mishaps: A wrong setup can block search engines from crawling your site.
XML sitemap errors: Missing or outdated sitemaps can hide your pages from search engines.
Indexing problems: If Google can’t index your site, you won’t show up in search results.

Quick check: Type "site:yoursitename.com" into Google. Don’t see your pages? You’ve got an indexing problem.

Google’s take on accessibility:

"Pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results may not rank as high."

To boost search engine access:

Check your robots.txt file – make sure you’re not blocking important content.
Submit an up-to-date XML sitemap to Google Search Console.
Use "Fetch as Google" in Search Console to test for mobile issues.
Regularly check for broken links and 404 errors.

Here’s the deal: Technical SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it thing. It needs ongoing attention. As your site grows, new issues can pop up. Regular audits with tools like Google Search Console can help you catch problems before they hurt your rankings.

Content and Keyword Mistakes

Small businesses often mess up with content creation and keyword usage. These mistakes can tank your rankings and online visibility. Let’s look at some common blunders and how to fix them.

Copied Content and Keyword Overuse

Duplicate Content: SEO’s Silent Killer

Copying content might seem like a quick fix, but it’s SEO suicide. Search engines are smart cookies – they spot duplicate content easily. When they do, your site’s visibility takes a nosedive.

Here’s a shocker: about 29% of the web is duplicate content. That’s a lot of businesses shooting themselves in the foot.

What happens when you copy content?

Search engines get confused
Your link equity gets spread thin
Your rankings and traffic can crash

In 2022, a small jewelry e-commerce store saw their organic traffic drop by 60% after copying product descriptions from suppliers. It took them three months of creating unique content to bounce back.

Keyword Stuffing: Less is More

Remember when cramming keywords into your content could boost rankings? Those days are gone. Keyword stuffing now tanks your SEO efforts.

Google’s algorithms have grown up. They care about context and search intent, not just how many times you use a keyword. Overusing keywords makes your content sound like a robot and can get you penalized.

Kato Nkhoma, a Content Writer, says:

"One way of doing this is by conducting intent-based keyword research. This will help you create content that meets search intent."

Fixing These Mistakes

Write Original Stuff: It’s not just about avoiding penalties – it’s about giving value to your readers. Google loves unique, helpful content.
Use Canonical Tags: Got similar content on multiple pages? Use canonical tags to tell search engines which version is the OG.
Keep Keywords Natural: Aim for 2-5% keyword density. Use long-tail keywords and synonyms to stay relevant without sounding like a broken record.
Do Your Keyword Homework: Don’t guess what people are searching for. Use tools to find relevant keywords and understand what users want.
Write for Humans, Not Bots: Create content that your audience actually needs and cares about. The keywords will fall into place naturally.

Local Search Problems

Small businesses often mess up local SEO, missing out on nearby customers. Let’s look at common local search mistakes and how to fix them.

Getting Found in Local Searches

The Google My Business Mistake

Here’s a surprise: 56% of businesses with multiple locations don’t optimize their website for local search. It’s like having a store with the lights off. Google My Business (GMB) is your online storefront. Ignoring it? Big mistake.

A complete GMB profile gets you into local search results. But it’s not just about filling in boxes. You need to be smart about it.

Smart Keywords in Local Listings

Ulla Popken saw more search views and clicks by adding "plus-size" to their listings. It’s simple, but it works.

Here’s what to do:

Claim your GMB profile. It’s free space on Google’s first page.
Use local keywords in your business name. If you’re "Denver’s Best Bakery", say it.
Pick the right category. Be specific. "Pet grooming" is better than "services."

The Review Game

Reviews are your local SEO secret weapon. BrightLocal says 86% of people read reviews for local businesses. But many businesses don’t ask for reviews or ignore them.

Learn from Jonak. They respond to reviews within 24 hours. The result? Better customer relationships and higher SEO rankings.

NAP Consistency: Not Just for Sleeping

NAP is Name, Address, Phone number. Sounds easy, right? But many businesses get it wrong. Your NAP needs to be the same everywhere online. If Google sees different info, it gets confused. Confused Google means lower rankings.

Local Content: Your Hidden Advantage

Many businesses skip local content, focusing on broad topics instead. Bad move. Local content helps you rank on Google My Business and connects you with your community.

Quick win: Make local landing pages. Ulla Popken has 230 local landing pages with Uberall CoreX, sending clear signals to search engines and customers.

Mobile Matters

In 2023, if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re invisible. Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it looks at your mobile site first for rankings.

A mobile-friendly site isn’t just good for SEO. It can increase your conversion rates too. Remember, most local searches happen on mobile devices.

The Bottom Line

Local SEO isn’t optional anymore. It’s crucial for small businesses competing online. As Uberall experts say:

"You need to make it easy for customers to find you when they need you, and you can accomplish this by having a strategy to keep your listings up-to-date and optimized."

Fix these local search problems, and you’ll be on your way to dominating your local market. In local SEO, being visible means more opportunities.

Website Link Problems

Small businesses often miss out on the SEO benefits of good link building. Let’s look at common link mistakes and how to fix them.

Creating Better Website Links

Internal Linking: Your Site’s Secret Weapon

Many small business owners don’t realize how important internal links are. These links connect pages on your website. They’re not just for navigation – they’re key for SEO.

Why internal links matter:

They help Google understand your site
They spread page authority across your site
They guide visitors to relevant content

The Orphan Page Issue

"Orphan pages" have no internal links pointing to them. They’re invisible to search engines and users.

In 2022, a small jewelry e-commerce site found 30% of their product pages were orphans. After fixing their internal linking, organic traffic to those pages jumped 45% in just two months.

External Links: Quality Beats Quantity

For external links (backlinks from other sites), don’t fall for the quantity trap. It can backfire.

In 2021, an Austin bakery bought 1,000 cheap backlinks for $50. Their organic traffic dropped 70% when Google penalized them.

Focus on earning good backlinks from respected sources in your industry or local area. A few quality links can make a big difference.

Local Backlinks Pack a Punch

For small businesses, local backlinks are golden. They boost SEO and local visibility.

A Portland accounting firm got just five high-quality local backlinks in three months. Result? 25% better local search visibility and 15% more new client inquiries.

Don’t Ignore Anchor Text

Anchor text – the clickable text in a link – matters for SEO. Don’t use generic phrases like "click here".

Use descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text instead. Example: "explore our professional web design services" beats "click here to see our services".

You Need a Link Building Strategy

Random link building doesn’t work. You need a plan that fits your business goals and audience. Try:

Guest posting on industry blogs
Creating shareable infographics or studies
Getting local event coverage
Partnering with suppliers or complementary businesses

Matt Cutts, former head of Google’s webspam team, said: "The objective isn’t to make your links look natural; the objective is to ensure that your links are natural."

Fixing SEO Problems

Small businesses often struggle with SEO. But don’t worry – fixing common issues can make a big difference. Let’s look at some practical steps to boost your online presence.

Steps to Fix SEO Issues

1. Tackle Technical Problems

Start with your site’s technical foundation. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your site speed.

Here’s a real-world example: In 2022, a local bakery in Portland cut their page load time from 5 seconds to 2 seconds. How? They optimized images and compressed JavaScript. The result? A 30% jump in organic traffic in just two months.

Quick checklist:

Optimize images: Resize to 72dpi and use WebP format
Compress CSS and JavaScript
Enable browser caching
Use a content delivery network (CDN)

2. Improve On-Page SEO

Focus on creating great content that naturally includes your target keywords. Don’t stuff keywords – it’s old news and can hurt your rankings.

Here’s a success story: An Austin accounting firm revamped their service pages with local content. They saw 40% more organic traffic and 25% more local client inquiries in three months.

On-page SEO tips:

Use unique title tags and meta descriptions for each page
Put target keywords in headers (H1, H2, H3)
Write in-depth content (aim for 1,000+ words on key pages)
Link related content within your site

3. Build Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are still crucial for rankings. Focus on quality, not quantity.

Check this out: In 2023, a Denver pet grooming service teamed up with local animal shelters and pet stores. They got 10 high-quality local backlinks. The result? 35% more organic search visibility and 20% more new customer inquiries.

How to build links:

Create shareable content (like industry reports or infographics)
Write guest posts for reputable industry blogs
Get involved in local events and sponsorships
Exchange links with business partners

4. Optimize for Local Search

If you have a physical store, local SEO is key. Start by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP).

Here’s a win: A Seattle hardware store fully optimized their GBP in January 2023. They added great photos, responded to all reviews, and posted regular updates. In six months, they saw 50% more GBP views and 30% more direction requests.

Local SEO checklist:

Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent across the web
Encourage and respond to customer reviews
Create pages for each of your locations
Use local schema markup to help search engines understand your business

5. Monitor and Adjust

SEO isn’t a one-and-done deal. Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track your progress and find areas to improve.

Check these key metrics monthly:

Organic traffic
Keyword rankings
Conversion rates
Bounce rates

Use this data to tweak your strategy. For example, if certain pages have high bounce rates, it might be time to update the content or improve the user experience.

Robust Branding’s SEO Services

DIY SEO can work, but many small businesses benefit from expert help. Robust Branding offers SEO services starting at $99/month, tailored for startups and SMBs.

Their approach includes:

Full SEO audits to spot critical issues
Keyword research and content strategy planning
On-page and technical SEO improvements
Local SEO optimization for physical businesses
Regular performance reports and strategy updates

Want proof? One of their clients, a small e-commerce jewelry store, saw organic traffic jump 200% and online sales increase 150% in just six months.

Conclusion

SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task for small businesses. It’s an ongoing process that needs constant attention. Let’s recap the key points and see how to keep your SEO strong.

The basics matter. A solid SEO foundation can pay off for years. Focus on doing these fundamentals well:

Get your website’s technical stuff right
Make great, original content
Get good backlinks
Nail your local SEO

But here’s the thing: SEO keeps changing. What worked before might not work now. That’s why you need to keep at it.

Check out this real-life example: Brian Dean, a big name in SEO, updated an old post on his site. He didn’t just repost it. He took out old screenshots, added new strategies, and cut stuff that didn’t work anymore. The result? A 62.60% jump in organic traffic to that page.

To stay on top of your SEO game:

1. Set up a monthly check-up

Think of SEO like working out. A monthly check-up can help you manage your website’s SEO in just an hour or two each week. This way, it doesn’t get overwhelming.

2. Keep your content fresh

Search engines love updated content. Regularly refresh your best pages to keep their rankings. Update stats, add new info, or expand on topics based on what’s new in your industry.

3. Stay in the loop about SEO trends

SEO is changing fast, especially with AI. Keep an eye on new trends like influencer marketing and short videos. These could be big for your SEO in 2024 and beyond.

4. Use the right tools

Use SEO tools to track how you’re doing. You need Google Analytics 4 and Search Console. Think about using Seobility for technical checks. These can help you spot and fix issues before they hurt your rankings.

5. Match SEO with business goals

Your SEO should help your business goals. Regularly check if it’s bringing in the right traffic and conversions for your small business.

SEO isn’t just about rankings anymore. It’s a key part of your whole digital marketing plan. As the Digital Neighbor team says:

"Good SEO is like a big truck, not a small car. It takes time to get going, but once you’re moving, you keep going."

Lastly, don’t be scared to get help. DIY SEO can work, but many small businesses do better with expert help to navigate the tricky, always-changing SEO world.

FAQs

How to fix SEO problems?

Fixing SEO problems isn’t rocket science. Here’s what small businesses can do:

1. Boost content quality

Don’t just copy-paste manufacturer descriptions. Rewrite them and add your own spin. Throw in some customer reviews or usage tips. It’s not just good for SEO – your customers will love it too.

2. Mix up your keywords

Don’t put all your chips on one number. Use a mix of popular and niche keywords. This way, you’re casting a wider net and catching more fish (aka potential customers).

3. Keep it fresh

Search engines are like that friend who’s always chasing the latest trend. They love new stuff. So, dust off your top content every few months and give it a polish.

4. Play the long game

SEO isn’t a magic wand. As WebFX puts it: "SEO takes a lot of time to work, especially if you’re optimizing a site for the first time." Give it at least a month before you start looking for results.

5. Stay in the loop

SEO is always changing. Keep your ear to the ground – follow SEO blogs, tune into webinars. Stay ahead of the curve.

6. Speed it up

Nobody likes a slow website. Shrink those big files and tidy up your code. Try tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel to squeeze your images without making them look like pixelated messes.

7. Fix the tech stuff

Use Google Search Console to spot and squash technical SEO bugs. And don’t forget about mobile – Google’s all about that mobile-first life now.

Remember, SEO isn’t a "set it and forget it" deal. It’s more like tending a garden. As Siege Media says, "If you have an e-commerce site with product descriptions pulled from the manufacturers, rewrite them to be original and consider adding value to them with useful information, like customer reviews or testimonials."

Keep at it, and you’ll see those rankings climb.