Common Local SEO Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Local SEO is very important for businesses that want to get customers who are near them. If you have a café, a salon, or a business that offers a product, it helps a lot to show up in local search results. This can really help your business grow.
But even if businesses try their best, they often make small mistakes. These mistakes can cost them money and stop them from getting good rankings on Google.
In this post, we talk about five common local SEO mistakes. We will show you how to fix them. This way, your business can stand out in local search results.
1. Neglecting Your Google My Business Profile
Your Google My Business (GMB) profile, now called Google Business Profile, is the base of your local SEO. A lot of businesses create it and then stop taking care of it. Some forget to add key details, leaving the page missing information.
Old hours, missing photos, or contact details that are not correct can make people confused. It also makes it less likely for you to show up in Google’s local map pack. That means your business might not get noticed by people looking for it.
💡 Did you know? You need to have at least five reviews on your Google Business Profile to help your business look real and be seen.
How to fix it:
- Make sure every section of your GMB page is filled in and right.
- Keep your hours, phone number, and story up to date.
- Add good photos that show your brand.
- Ask happy customers to give real reviews.
If you have a more complete and active profile, you will get more trust from Google and local people who search for you.
2. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)
If your business information is not the same on all platforms, search engines can get confused. This can hurt your rankings. It is good to make sure your details match everywhere.
If your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) show up in different ways on Google, your website, and places like Yelp or Facebook, Google could have a hard time making sure your business details are the same everywhere.
How to fix it:
You should look at each platform that shows your business. This includes your website, social pages, and local lists. Check that your NAP details are the same on all of them.
If you move to a new place or change your phone number, make sure you update it on every listing right away.
3. Overlooking Local Keywords
If you use only broad or basic keywords, you compete with many more people. This makes you miss out on local customers.
For example, if you use “plumber,” it may be okay. But, if you use “plumber in Kent” or “Kent plumbing services,” you are more likely to get people who are looking for a plumber where you are. This helps you reach the people who need your service in your area.
How to fix it:
- Find your service areas and choose those places when you pick keywords.
- Put local phrases into your website copy, meta descriptions, and headings in a way that fits.
- Add local content like blog posts on local events, case studies from clients close by, or pages for each service area.
Need some help to pick the right keywords? Take a look at our latest guide about how to choose local SEO keywords. It will help you get good results.
4. Not Responding to Customer Reviews
Reviews help with local SEO. They also make people trust your business. This is important for customers who may buy from you.
If you don’t answer them, whether good or bad, people may feel your business is not paying attention. You can also lose the chance to talk with your audience or change what people think about your business.
How to fix it:
- Reply to all reviews fast. Be nice and act in a professional way.
- Thank customers when they give good feedback.
- For bad reviews, stay calm and show that you want to fix problems.
This helps your business show up higher when people look for local places. It also shows that you care about your customers.
5. Ignoring Mobile Optimisation
Today, more people use their phones to search online than ever before. Having a mobile-friendly website is not just a choice now. It is a must.
If your site is slow or does not show right on a phone, you could lose good leads in just a few seconds.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your site opens fast. It should load in under 3 seconds if you can.
- Keep the menus easy to use. Use clear menus and big buttons that people can tap.
- Look at text and pictures on smaller screens. Be sure they show up the right way.
Keep in mind, Google uses mobile-first indexing. This means your mobile site is the most important part when it comes to deciding where you show up in the rankings.
Final Thoughts
Local SEO lets nearby people find and pick your business. If you stay away from these five usual mistakes and use the fixes above, you will have a good chance to rank higher. This can help you get more local customers.
To recap:
✅ Make sure your Google Business Profile is full and kept up to date.
✅ Keep your NAP information the same everywhere.
✅ Use local keywords in a smart way.
✅ Answer every review.
✅ Make your website work well for people on mobile.
Need Help with Your Local SEO?
If you do not know where to start or need help from an expert, you can call us on 0800 669 6848 to book a free consultation with Direct Submit. There is no pressure at all. We will talk about your goals and look at your options. I will give you clear advice, so you can make the right choice for your business.
