Common SEO Mistakes Small Businesses Make
If you’re a small business owner trying to get your website noticed, chances are you’ve heard the term SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). SEO is the process of improving your website so it ranks higher in search engines like Google — which means more visitors, more customers, and more sales. But here’s the thing: many small businesses make the same SEO mistakes over and over again, which stops their websites from reaching their full potential.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common SEO mistakes I see small businesses make — and more importantly, how you can avoid them. Think of this as friendly advice from someone who’s been there, seen it, and fixed it many times.
1. Not Doing Any Keyword Research
One of the biggest mistakes is creating content without knowing what your customers are actually searching for. If you’re not targeting the right keywords, you could be missing out on traffic that’s ready to buy from you.
How to Fix It:
- Use free tools like Keyword Tool or Ubersuggest to find keywords your audience is searching for.
- Focus on long-tail keywords (3–5 words) because they’re less competitive and more specific.
- Create a content plan around these keywords so you have a clear direction.
2. Ignoring On-Page SEO
Even if you’ve chosen great keywords, you still need to optimise your individual pages for them. On-page SEO means things like page titles, headings, meta descriptions, and internal linking.
How to Fix It:
- Put your target keyword in the page title and first heading (H1).
- Write a meta description that includes your keyword and encourages people to click.
- Use your keyword naturally throughout the content — no “stuffing” it awkwardly.
- Link to other relevant pages on your own site (this helps both users and search engines).
3. Forgetting About Mobile Users
Over half of all internet browsing now happens on mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, visitors will leave quickly — and Google will notice.
How to Fix It:
- Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
- Use a responsive design so your site adjusts automatically to different screen sizes.
- Make sure buttons and links are easy to tap on small screens.
4. Slow Loading Speed
People don’t wait for slow websites. In fact, if your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, you could lose up to half your visitors. Site speed is also a Google ranking factor.
How to Fix It:
- Compress large images before uploading them (use free tools like TinyPNG).
- Use a fast hosting provider.
- Minimise plugins if you use WordPress — too many can slow you down.
- Enable browser caching and use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) for global visitors.
5. Not Creating High-Quality Content
Many small business owners publish short, rushed blog posts just to “do SEO.” But Google wants valuable, in-depth content that actually answers people’s questions.
How to Fix It:
- Write for your audience first, not for search engines.
- Answer common questions in detail.
- Use images, tables, and examples to make your content more engaging.
- Update old posts to keep them fresh and relevant.
6. Neglecting Local SEO
If you’re a small business serving a specific area (like Southport or Liverpool), you need to make sure you’re showing up in local searches.
How to Fix It:
- Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile.
- Include your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistently across your site.
- Add location-specific pages or blog posts targeting your service areas.
7. Not Tracking Your Results
Without tracking, you’re flying blind. You won’t know what’s working and what’s wasting your time.
How to Fix It:
- Install Google Analytics to see your traffic.
- Use Google Search Console to track your search performance.
- Check your data regularly and adjust your strategy.
8. Building Spammy Backlinks
Links from other sites can boost your rankings — but low-quality or spammy links can do more harm than good.
How to Fix It:
- Focus on earning backlinks from reputable, relevant websites.
- Write guest posts for trusted blogs in your industry (see my guide here).
- Avoid buying links or using link farms — Google will penalise you.
Quick SEO Mistakes & Fixes Table
| Mistake | Impact | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No keyword research | Missed traffic opportunities | Use free keyword tools to guide content |
| Ignoring on-page SEO | Poor rankings | Optimise titles, headings, and meta descriptions |
| Slow site speed | Higher bounce rate, lower rankings | Compress images, improve hosting |
| No local SEO | Not appearing in local searches | Set up Google Business Profile |
Final Thoughts
SEO isn’t about doing one magic thing — it’s about consistently doing the right things over time. Avoiding these common mistakes can help you climb the rankings and attract the customers you deserve.
If you need help improving your website’s SEO, Janric Limited can guide you every step of the way — from keyword research to fixing technical issues. The sooner you start, the sooner your business can grow online.