Local SEO mistakes can cost your business thousands of potential customers. Many UK businesses struggle to appear in local searches because they keep making the same errors. Let me share what actually works based on real experiences and recent data.
The Google Business Profile Problem
This is probably the biggest local SEO mistake businesses make. Many shop owners either don’t claim their Google Business Profile or leave it half-finished. Some think it’s only for physical stores. That’s completely wrong.
Your Google Business Profile acts like your digital storefront. Those numbers should get your attention. Yet so many businesses just fill in basic details and forget about it.
The fix? Complete every single section. Add your business hours, services, products, and a detailed description. Upload quality photos showing your location, team, and products. Answer customer questions regularly.
Inconsistent Business Information
This mistake confuses both Google and your customers. Your business name, address, and phone number need to match everywhere online. If your website says “Smith’s Bakery” but Facebook says “Smith Bakery Ltd,” Google gets confused.
Why does this matter? Google uses this information to verify your business’s legitimacy. When details don’t match across platforms, search engines lose trust in your listing. This hurts your rankings directly.
Check your information across Google, Facebook, Yelp, and your website. Make sure everything matches exactly. Even small differences like “Street” versus “St” can create problems. Keep one master document with your official business details and use it everywhere.
Ignoring Customer Reviews
Reviews might seem like just feedback, but they’re pure gold for local SEO. People trust reviews from strangers more than advertising. That’s just how shoppers think now.
The mistake businesses make? They either ignore reviews completely or only respond to positive ones. Bad reviews sitting there without responses make you look unprofessional. Even worse, Google notices when you’re not engaging with customers.
Respond to every review within 48 hours. Thank people for positive feedback. For negative reviews, apologise and offer to fix the problem. Use natural language and sprinkle in relevant keywords when appropriate.
Missing Location Keywords
Many businesses optimise for general terms but forget local keywords. Ranking for “plumber” is nearly impossible. Ranking for “emergency plumber Nottingham” is much easier and brings customers who actually need your service.
Include your city, neighbourhood, and nearby landmarks in your content. Write blog posts about local events or community news. Create separate pages for each area you serve. Someone searching “electrician Camden Town” wants results from Camden Town specifically, not general London listings.
Slow Website Speed
Your website loading slowly kills your local rankings and frustrates customers. Google prioritises fast websites because people hate waiting. If your site takes more than three seconds to load, most visitors leave immediately.
Check your site speed using Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool. Compress your images before uploading them. Remove unnecessary plugins and scripts. Consider upgrading your hosting if needed. Mobile speed matters even more since most local searches happen on phones.
Not Using Google Posts
Google Posts let you share updates directly on your Business Profile. Think of them like mini social media posts that appear in search results. Most businesses never touch this feature, which is a massive missed opportunity.
Post weekly updates about special offers, new products, events, or helpful tips. Add quality images and clear calls-to-action. These posts keep your profile active and engaging. Google rewards businesses that regularly update their profiles with better visibility.
FAQs: Local SEO Mistakes
How long does local SEO take to show results?
Local SEO typically takes 3 to 6 months before you notice significant improvements. Google needs time to trust your business and verify your information across different platforms.
What happens if someone suggests incorrect edits to my Google Business Profile?
Anyone can suggest edits to your Google Business Profile, which creates a potential problem. Competitors or confused customers might accidentally submit wrong information about your business hours, address, or services.
Should service-based businesses without physical locations still use Google Business Profile?
Absolutely yes. Service-based businesses like consultants, plumbers, electricians, and mobile services benefit massively from Google Business Profile. You can hide your physical address while still showing your service areas.
