7 SEO Mistakes I See Small Businesses Make (And How You Can Fix Them)

If you run a small business, you’ve probably heard that SEO is “essential.” But let’s be honest, it can feel like a guessing game. You tweak a few things, write a blog or two, and somehow… still don’t show up on Google. That's because of SEO mistakes you might be making that you don't know about.

I’ve worked in and with enough SMEs to spot a pattern: most aren’t doing SEO wrong on purpose — they’re just missing a few key pieces. Here’s what usually goes wrong (and how to turn it around).

1. Skipping Keyword Research

This one’s huge. A lot of business owners just post content they think people want. But SEO isn’t about guessing — it’s about matching what your audience is typing into Google.

Try this instead:

• Use long tail keywords and more niche terms. Don't just chase after the broad keywords.

• Don’t aim for huge, generic terms like “marketing agency.” Go for specifics — “SEO help for small businesses” will actually bring you people who need what you offer.

• Write how your customers talk, not how marketers do.

2. Forgetting About On-Page SEO

Your page title, headings, and little bits of text behind the scenes all tell Google what your page is about. If you skip that, Google’s left guessing.

Quick fix:

• Give every page one clear focus topic.

• Use headings (H1, H2) to structure things, it makes it easier for both the reader and the search engine.

• Don’t cram keywords everywhere — once or twice naturally is enough.

I like using Yoast SEO on WordPress. It gives you a traffic-light system that’s easy to follow.

3. Ignoring Local SEO

If your customers are nearby, you need to show up on Google Maps. So many businesses forget to claim their Google Business Profile, which is basically free advertising.

Do this:

• Claim and fill out your profile (hours, services, photos, etc.).

• Ask customers to leave reviews — they help a lot.

• Make sure your address and phone number are consistent everywhere online and up to date.

4. Buying Cheap Backlinks

It’s tempting — “pay £50 and get 100 backlinks!” — but Google’s smarter than that. Bad links can tank your rankings. It's like cheap steroids.

Instead:

• Build links naturally: share your content, write guest blogs, or partner with local businesses.

• Focus on quality links from relevant sites to yours, not random ones.

5. Having a Slow, Clunky Website

A slow site is like a shop where the door won’t open. People just leave.

What helps:

• Compress your images (TinyPNG is great).

• Check your speed on PageSpeed Insights.

• Make sure your site works well on phones — most searches happen there now.

6. Letting Your Content Collect Dust

Google loves fresh, helpful content. If you wrote your website copy years ago, it’s probably out of date.

Easy win:

• Update old pages with new info or examples.

• Add FAQs based on what customers keep asking.

• Delete anything thin or repetitive — quality beats quantity.

7. Never Checking What’s Working

SEO isn’t “set and forget.” If you don’t track it, you won’t know what’s helping or hurting.

How to track:

• Use Google Search Console (free) to see what keywords bring traffic.

• Check Google Analytics to track leads or sales.

• Review it monthly — small tweaks make a big difference over time.

Quick Troubleshooting

FAQ

How long does SEO take to kick in? Usually, a few months — think of it like growing a tree, not flipping a switch.

Do I need an agency? Not always. You can learn a lot by doing the basics yourself first.

Is SEO worth it for small businesses? Yes. Once you rank, that traffic’s free — unlike ads that stop the second you stop paying.

Next Steps

Once you’ve fixed the basics, start thinking long term. Plan content around what your customers actually search for, use schema markup to stand out in results, and track everything monthly. It’s not about doing everything, just being consistent.

Final Thoughts

SEO can feel complicated, but it’s really just about doing the simple things well — and doing them often. Pick one of these fixes today, take 20 minutes to sort it out, and keep building from there. You’ll be amazed how far a few small changes can take you.