5 Common SEO Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)



With the rise of the internet, everything has become digitalized. Nowadays, people spend most of their time online, whether it be just for scrolling, connecting, or shopping online on e-commerce platforms and websites. Thus, people are drawn towards these online sites now more than ever before because now everything comes to your doorstep with just a click.

A lot of customers, before buying anything or deciding where to buy it from, search and find products and services through “Google” first. This is why Search Engine Optimization (SEO) matters more than ever before today especially for small businesses that are trying to compete with other brands.

But here’s the truth: many small businesses unknowingly make basic SEO mistakes that cost them visibility, traffic, and customers. The good news? Even with businesses making mistakes, these mistakes are easy to tackle, for such brands and businesses, or just someone who is learning digital marketing to start a new business.

Thus, in this blog by Innovator Sprouts Academy, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. There have been listed down below some Common SEO mistakes that small Businesses can face and should look for and be cautious of when it comes to SEO for their businesses. Listed below are some of them.

Some Common SEO Mistakes Small Businesses Make and Should Look Out for:

1. Not Claiming or Optimizing Google Business Profile (GBP)

The Mistake: Many local businesses forget to create or fully optimize their Google Business Profile or Google My Business profile.

This means that these businesses are missing out on appearing in their local search results on Google. We a digital marketing institute, teach our students that- This is very useful and important when it comes to boosting your business online. One can make use of various keywords that can be useful to improve SEO and search results for your business.

For example: “salons near me” or “digital marketing academy in Navi Mumbai.”(These types of business-specific keywords used help business improve their GMB profile, plus help boost their business website overall on online platforms).

The Fix: If the business does not have GBP

  • Create or claim your listing at google.com/business.

  • Add complete business details: Name of business, location, working/ opening and closing hours, and contact details.

  • Include SEO specific keywords in your description.

  • Add photos, services, testimonials, and update customer reviews regularly.

Bonus Tip: Keep your information accurate and consistent across all platforms (Google, Facebook, your website, etc.)

 2. Targeting the Wrong Keywords

The Mistake: Small businesses often target broad or highly competitive keywords for their products and brands. Keywords such as “shoes” or “digital marketing services.” These are hard to rank on Google or other websites and may not attract the right customers. This can lead to businesses not ranking on Google search, not generating leads, and facing low conversion rates.

The Fix: If targeted keywords are not generating leads

Use long-tailed keywords that reflect what your specific customers are searching for.

Examples: “Affordable sports shoes in Navi Mumbai” or “Beginner-friendly digital marketing course online near Nerul, Navi Mumbai.”

One can fix these with the help of certain keyword-specific tools, like Google Keyword Planner, Uber-suggest, or Answer the Public. These few apps or websites can help you find the right keywords specific to your product, brand, and business.

Example: “Best digital marketing institute in Nerul Navi Mumbai”, “Digital marketing courses for beginners”, etc.

3. Ignoring On-Page SEO

The Mistake: Even if you as a content writer who writes great content that is relatable, informative and, a great read. It won’t rank if the search engines can’t understand what exactly the content is and what your page is about. Many businesses forget to optimize titles, meta descriptions, and image tags. Which cost them in the long run. Thus, ignoring on-page SEO is not a choice; it is rather a must when it comes to any business expanding online.

The Fix: Use keywords

  • Use your main keyword in the page title, URL, heading, and meta description.

  • Add alt text to images describing what they show.

  • Structure your blog or web page with headers (H1, H2, H3) for readability.

For example: A page that is about pet grooming should include keywords like “pet grooming,” “dog spa,” “cat care,” or a digital marketing agency should include keywords like Digital marketing course, What is the best way to learn digital marketing?, Free tools to learn SEO and social media marketing, etc.,,

It should also include important things mentioned, such as your city name like: Best digital marketing course in Nerul, Best Digital Marketing Institute in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Top digital marketing institute in Mumbai, etc.

4. Not Creating Regular, Useful Content

The Mistake: Having a static website with no blog or fresh updates tells Google that your business isn’t active, even if it is! Thus, regularly updating your content on your gmb profile page, your websites, and on various other available platforms is a must when it comes to keeping your business profile active, especially when it’s your Google My Business profile. Also, Google has its specific official guidelines and restrictions when it comes to posting on your Google My Business account, so adhering to the same is a no-brainer; other, it may be removed or reported.

The Fix: Upload regularly(even if it’s you starting a simple blog on your website with helpful information)

For example: Blogs on topics such as

  • “How to choose the right type of tools when it comes to digital marketing?”

  • “Tips for improving your SEO marketing strategies.

  • “Behind the scenes of the promotional event”

 5. No Mobile-Friendly Website

The Mistake: Over 60% of users now browse on their phones. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, they’ll bounce and skip. This will lead to Google ranking you lower in its search engines and list. Thus, having a mobile-friendly website is also essential when it comes to having your business online. It should be diverse.

The Fix:

  • Use and make sure your website has a responsive website design that adjusts to all screen sizes, whether it be a mobile screen, a tablet, a laptop screen or other.

  • Check and keep track of your website’s mobile speed with Page Speed Insights.

  • Avoid pop-ups and clutter that slow down the mobile navigation, display an,d speed.

TIP: Your site should be easy to scroll, read, and click — even on a small screen.

Final Thoughts

SEO doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but ignoring it is not an option. It can cost you real results. Thus, understanding SEO and its optimization for your websites can help you in your business to grow not just organically but even when paid to to, a greater extent. Thus, SEO is the basis of any business, and making sure one doesn’t repeat the mistakes is essential, and having known them beforehand can be a lifesaver for both you and your business. Thus-

By knowing and fixing these common SEO mistakes, your small business can:

  • Help your business get discovered on Google search

  • It would help you to drive more traffic to your website and business.

  • Attract the right type of customers who are in your local area by using local SEO keywords

  • Grow your brand online faster with minimal effort.

Thus, having the knowledge of SEO when it comes to digital marketing is a must and is very essential for a person pursuing digital marketing as a career to know. So, is someone who wants to learn more about digital marketing and SEO?

Join us at Innovator Sprouts Academy (Nerul, Navi Mumbai), where we teach SEO and digital marketing from basic to advanced. where you learn about digital marketing all the way through with expert guidance. So, if u are someone who is interested in pursuing digital marketing-

 Call/ contact us: 7700968696  or Visit our website: www.innovatorsproutsacademy.com or Innovator Sprouts Academy, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. 

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