Ranking on Google can feel like a mystery for small business owners. But in today’s digital world, showing up in search results isn’t just important—it’s essential. The good news? Most SEO issues are fixable with the right strategy. The bad news? Many businesses don’t even realize they’re making critical mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common SEO mistakes small businesses make and, more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Ignoring Local SEO
The Problem: Many small businesses overlook local search opportunities. Without optimizing for your geographic area, you’re missing out on customers who are actively looking for what you offer nearby.
How to Fix It:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) across your website and directories
- Add local keywords (e.g. “plumber in Hamilton”) to your pages
- Use local business schema markup to help search engines understand your location
2. Not Optimizing for Mobile
The Problem: More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, users (and Google) will leave.
How to Fix It:
- Use a responsive website design that adapts to any screen size
- Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- Optimize mobile page speed (compress images, reduce scripts)
3. Targeting the Wrong Keywords
The Problem: Going after broad, high-competition keywords like “real estate” won’t get you found. And ignoring keywords altogether? That’s worse.
How to Fix It:
- Do keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush
- Target long-tail keywords that reflect buyer intent (e.g. “affordable wedding venues in Toronto”)
- Use keywords naturally in titles, headers, and throughout your content
4. Thin or Duplicate Content
The Problem: Google rewards quality, not quantity. Having multiple similar service pages, copied product descriptions, or shallow content can hurt your rankings.
How to Fix It:
- Create unique content for every important page
- Expand on topics with helpful, in-depth information your audience cares about
- Use FAQs, case studies, testimonials, and media to add value
5. Poor On-Page SEO
The Problem: Many sites neglect the basics: title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, image alt text. These small details make a big difference.
How to Fix It:
- Write compelling title tags and meta descriptions with keywords
- Use proper H1 and H2 tags to organize content
- Add alt text to images for accessibility and SEO
- Include internal links to other relevant pages
6. Forgetting About Technical SEO
The Problem: Your site might look fine on the surface, but behind the scenes, broken links, slow loading, and poor structure could be dragging you down.
How to Fix It:
- Run a full technical SEO audit (tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs)
- Fix broken links, 404 errors, and redirect chains
Improve load time by compressing images, enabling caching, and minimizing code
7. Not Tracking Results
The Problem: If you don’t know what’s working, you can’t improve. Many businesses skip analytics entirely or never check their performance.
How to Fix It:
- Set up Google Analytics and Search Console
- Track your keyword rankings, organic traffic, and conversions
- Use data to refine your content and SEO strategy
Quick Recap: SEO Fixes That Work
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and fast
- Target the right keywords
- Write high-quality, unique content
- Use proper on-page SEO techniques
- Fix technical issues
- Track your results and adjust accordingly
Need Help Fixing SEO Mistakes?
You don’t have to tackle SEO alone. At 101 Keys, we specialize in helping small businesses rank higher, get more traffic, and grow online. Whether you need a full SEO audit or ongoing optimization, we’re here to help.
Book a free consultation and find out how we can fix what’s holding your website back.
Explore our SEO services or contact us today.
