Top 10 SEO Mistakes Small Business Websites Make (And How to Fix Them)
1. Ignoring Keyword Research
The Mistake:
Many small businesses skip keyword research or guess what users are searching for — resulting in pages that never rank.
The Fix:
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs to find keywords with high search volume and low competition. Focus on keywords your target customers are actively using.
2. Missing or Poorly Optimized Meta Tags
The Mistake:
Leaving meta titles and descriptions blank or using the same ones across pages hurts visibility and click-through rates.
The Fix:
Write a unique meta title and description for every page. Include the primary keyword and keep it under 60 characters (title) and 155 characters (description).
3. Slow Website Speed
The Mistake:
A slow-loading website increases bounce rates and negatively impacts Google rankings.
The Fix:
- Use fast hosting (like SiteGround or Cloudways)
- Compress images
- Enable caching
- Minimize unnecessary plugins and scripts
- Test your site using Google PageSpeed Insights
4. Not Being Mobile-Friendly
The Mistake:
More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t responsive, you're losing users and rankings.
The Fix:
Use a mobile-responsive theme and test your site on multiple devices. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can help identify layout or usability issues.
5. No Internal Linking
6. Using Duplicate or Thin Content
The Mistake:
Reusing manufacturer descriptions, copying content, or publishing short, unhelpful pages will damage your authority and ranking potential.
The Fix:
Create original, useful content that addresses real customer questions. Aim for depth, clarity, and relevance.
7. Not Optimizing Images
The Mistake:
Large file sizes and missing alt tags slow down your site and miss out on image-based search traffic.
The Fix:
Compress images before uploading. Use descriptive alt tags that include keywords naturally, especially for product or blog images.
8. Not Claiming or Optimizing Google Business Profile
The Mistake:
For local businesses, missing out on a Google Business Profile means you won’t show up in Maps or local search results.
The Fix:
Create or claim your profile, add accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone), upload photos, select relevant categories, and collect reviews.
9. Broken Links and 404 Errors
The Mistake
Broken links disrupt user experience and send negative signals to search engines.
The Fix:
Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to find broken links. Fix them with proper redirects or update the anchor to a working page.
10. No Ongoing SEO Monitoring or Reporting
The Mistake:
SEO is not a one-time task. Without tracking, you don’t know what’s working or what’s broken.
The Fix:
Set up Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Regularly check keyword rankings, traffic, bounce rate, and click-through rates.
Final Thoughts:
Small SEO mistakes can lead to major traffic losses. But with the right strategy and ongoing maintenance, your website can rise in search results and attract qualified leads.
If you’re unsure where your site stands, or how to improve, Digimarketing offers in-depth SEO audits and ongoing optimization services tailored for small businesses.
Contact Us Today!
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you build a high-performing Shopify store.
Schedule a Call Today