Running a small business website? Then you already know how important SEO is in driving traffic and bringing in leads. But here’s the catch—even small missteps can drag down your rankings. The good news? Most of these mistakes are easy to spot and fix once you know where to look.
In today’s blog, we’ll reveal five common SEO pitfalls to avoid and the simple tips for turning things around.
1. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
Did you know that Google ranks mobile-friendly websites higher in search results? If your site isn’t easy to use on a phone, or it loads at a snail’s pace, you’re probably missing out on potential customers.
The Fix: Switch to a responsive design (so your site looks great on all screens) and check your load speeds using Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Small tweaks can make a big difference.
2. You’re Using the Wrong Keywords
Targeting the wrong keywords won’t get you the traffic you need. Maybe you’re going for super popular (and competitive) keywords that bigger businesses are already dominating. Or maybe you’re not digging into localized, niche, or long-tail keywords specific to your audience.
The Fix: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to uncover keywords that your customers actually search for. Bonus tip? Include your city or neighbourhood if you run a local business—for example, try “best bakery in Queens” instead of just “best bakery.”
3. Skipping Technical SEO
Broken links, sluggish page loading times, or misused headers can quietly kill your site’s performance. Think of technical SEO as the foundation of your site. If the foundation is shaky, even great content won’t save you.
The Fix: Regularly audit your website with tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console. A quick scan can help catch errors and speed issues before they hurt your rankings.
4. Publishing Low-Quality Content
Not all content is created equal. Short, outdated, or keyword-stuffed articles can push potential visitors (and Google) away. Remember, content isn’t just about quantity; it needs to give users real value.
The Fix: Create original, in-depth content that actually answers your customers’ questions. Think FAQs, how-to guides, or resources that speak directly to what they’re searching for. Invest in quality, and the clicks will follow.
5. Overlooking Meta Titles and Descriptions
When’s the last time you updated your meta titles and descriptions? These little snippets may seem trivial, but they’re what users see in search results. A missing or boring meta description could mean they skip right past your site.
The Fix: Write clear, keyword-rich titles and descriptions for every page. For example, instead of “Home,” try “Affordable Graphic Design Services | [Your Business Name].” Think of this as your site’s first impression!
Take Control of Your SEO Today
Fixing these five issues can have a massive impact on your website’s rankings and traffic. More importantly, the customers you want will actually find you.
SEO doesn’t have to be complicated, at least not when you work with Numero Uno Web Solutions. We’ll help you implement these actionable steps and provide you with valuable advice to help improve your site’s visibility. Contact us today!
And if you want some more in-depth tips on how to get your local SEO optimized so your business can get more foot traffic, come back to our blog next week when we reveal 5 more SEO mistakes that could be hurting your small business website.
