Avoidable Local SEO Mistakes
This quick-hit list is for local business owners who are struggling to find ways to generate leads and customers through their online efforts. These common errors are easy to fix, especially if you’re in a small or medium-sized market. You’ll need to follow the complete process for more competitive markets.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number One: No Google Business Profile listing
Google Business Profile is the best place to find local leads. Although they’re not the only avenue for local lead generation, Google may be the best. They can send you more leads than any other competitor. You can’t afford not to have your business listed on Google.
A Google Business Profile listing is the best way to appear in Google Maps searches. This is becoming increasingly common. These map-based listings are also displayed at the top of local business search results by Google, as shown below.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistakes Number 2: Too few citations
Citations are web pages that refer to and mention your business. Citations include your business name, address, phone number, and email. It’s a good idea to point them to your website if possible.
Google Business Listing is the most important citation that you can have. But, you should not stop there. It is always a good idea to have more citations that your competitors. Although this can be time-consuming, it is essential for ranking your business online.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number 3: Non-uniform Citations
This is the last error we make when addressing citations. However, it’s extremely important. It is essential that citations are uniform in all aspects.
This means that if your Google listing is “Dan’s Steakhouse”, each citation should match exactly. “Dan’s Steakhouse”, “Dan’s Steak House”, or “Dan Steakhouse” should not be used. If you want to see the results, every citation must be uniform in name, address and phone number.
You have the right to correct any errors in your Google listing if you have full control. You can claim your listings to make them correct as soon as you can.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number 4: Not paying attention to basic SEO on-page
On all your web pages you need to have your keyword in the title, meta description and headers. Each new page that uses the target keyword anchor text as its keyword should have at least one backlink. Yet, that’s the minimum. To gain web traffic, more on-page SEO needs to be performed for better results.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number 5: Poor landing page to attract traffic
All of the information we have discussed so far was for the purpose to get visitors to your site. However, getting people to visit your website does not mean that you will generate leads or close sales.
People need to love what they see on your website. They also need to feel confident enough that they will give their contact information or contact you directly.
This is best done by turning your homepage into a powerful landing page that offers a compelling pitch for you business. This is something you can do yourself. Or you can hire a skilled website copywriter to help you.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number 6: Multiple websites for the exact same business
A local SEO expert might have suggested that you create multiple websites to target different areas if you had hired them 10 years ago. That was a good strategy in 2006.
The SEO landscape today is very different. Google’s recent updates have drastically reduced the positive effects multiple sites can have. It is usually better to combine content from different sites into one website. However, there are specific ways to accomplish this. You will want to consult an SEO expert before you make such a move.
Avoidable Local SEO Mistake Number 7: Not being aware of broken links
You will likely make small and major changes to your website over time. This could lead to broken links.
Broken links can cause visitors to leave your website and stonewall them. It is important to check regularly for broken links and to then fix them or redirect dead links using 301 redirects.
Conclusion
These 7 common errors can easily (usually) be fixed. Simple improvements can have a big impact on your organic traffic so they are worth the time and effort.
