5 Common Local SEO Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Local SEO is crucial for businesses looking to attract customers in their area. While many understand the importance of optimising for local search, mistakes can often creep in and hinder your visibility online. In this post, I will explore five common local SEO mistakes and how to fix them to help your business stand out for Google.

1. Neglecting Google My Business (GMB) Optimisation

Google My Business is an important ingredient of any local SEO strategy. Many businesses fail to optimise their GMB profile properly, missing out on a significant opportunity. Not updating your contact information, business hours, and photos regularly can result in outdated or incomplete details being presented to potential customers.

Did you know you need at least 5 reviews on your Google Business Profile to achieve basic visibility and credibility?

How to fix it: Make sure your Google My Business profile is fully completed, with accurate contact details, business hours, and a well-crafted description of your services. Add high-quality photos and encourage customers to leave reviews. The more complete and engaging your GMB profile is, the more likely you are to appear in local search results.

2. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) Information

Consistency is key when it comes to your business details. If your business name, address, and phone number is different across different online directories or platforms, search engines may struggle to verify your business’s legitimacy, which can affect your rankings.

How to fix it: Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across all platforms, including your website, Google My Business, social media, and online directories like Yelp. If you’ve changed any of this information, update it everywhere to maintain consistency.

3. Overlooking Local Keywords

Targeting generic keywords without including location-based terms can result in your business being overlooked by local customers. For example, if you’re a plumber in Kent, optimising for "plumber" alone isn’t enough. You need to make sure you’re targeting keywords like "plumber in Kent" or "Kent plumbing services" to attract the right audience.

How to fix it: Understand where you want to offer your service and if it’s a competitive term. Take a look at our recent blog post on choosing the right keyword. Optimise your website’s content, meta descriptions, and title tags by including these keywords. Don’t forget to incorporate location-specific content on your site, such as blog posts or case studies related to your local area.

4. Not Responding to Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are not only a valuable source of feedback but also a key ranking factor for local SEO. Many businesses make the mistake of not responding to reviews, both positive and negative, which can affect your online reputation and search engine rankings.

How to fix it: Make it a habit to respond to all customer reviews in a timely and professional manner. Thank customers for their positive reviews, and address any concerns raised in negative ones. This shows you value customer feedback and can improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results.

5. Ignoring Mobile Optimisation

More people are searching for businesses on their smartphones than ever before. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re risking losing potential customers who find it difficult to navigate or read your site on their devices.

How to fix it: Ensure your website is fully optimised for mobile. This includes making sure your site loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and displays properly on smaller screens. Google’s mobile-first indexing means your mobile site is now the primary factor in determining your rankings, so it’s essential to get this right.

Conclusion

Local SEO is all about making it easier for customers in your area to find your business online. By avoiding these five common mistakes and implementing the fixes, you can improve your local search rankings and attract more local customers. Keep your Google My Business profile updated, maintain consistent NAP information, optimise for local keywords, engage with customer reviews, and make sure your website is mobile-friendly. With these strategies in place, you’ll be well on your way to local SEO success.

If you’re struggling with the above, book a free consultation with me and we can discuss how I can help your business to rank on Google and Google Business Profile. There’s no pressure on my consultation calls, we can discuss what you’re looking for and explore options - there’s no need to make a decision during this call. I will provide you with all the relevant information you need to make the best choice for your business.