The Top 3 Mistakes Local Businesses Make When Trying to Get Found Online (And How to Fix Them)
It seems like every business is online these days, right?
But here’s the thing—not all of them are actually getting found by customers.
Just being online isn’t enough anymore. If your business isn’t showing up when people search for services like yours, you’re missing out on a huge slice of local traffic—and letting your competitors take those customers instead.
Maybe you’ve noticed other businesses in your area seem to be getting more attention online, while yours feels invisible.
Most local businesses make simple mistakes that cost them the chance to show up in local searches and attract new customers.
But these mistakes are completely fixable—and today, we’re breaking down the top three mistakes local businesses make when trying to get found online, plus how you can fix them fast.
If you’re ready to stop losing customers to your competition, let’s dive in.
Mistake #1: Not Keeping Your Business Information Consistent Across Platforms
When was the last time you actually checked if your business name, address, and contact details were consistent across every platform?
We’re talking Google, Yelp, Facebook, and even your Shop Your Town listing.
A lot of think they’ve got this covered, but small discrepancies (even things like abbreviations or a different phone number) can hurt your chances of showing up in local searches.
Why This Hurts You:
When search engines like Google crawl the web, they’re looking for consistent information. If your business details are mismatched or incomplete across different platforms, Google sees that as a red flag.
As a result, your chances of showing up in local search results plummet.
The Fix:
Start by doing a full audit of your business listings.
Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are exactly the same on every platform you use—Google, Yelp, Shop Your Town, Facebook, your website, etc.
Even slight differences (like using “Ave.” instead of “Avenue”) can mess with how search engines rank your business.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t have time for this,” ask yourself—can you really afford to stay invisible? Fixing this is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your search ranking.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Power of Local SEO Keywords
Most people think that putting up a website and a couple of social media posts will do the trick.
If your website and listings aren’t optimized with local SEO keywords, customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours won’t find you.
When people in your area search for services, they’re not just typing generic terms like “coffee shop” or “hardware store.” They’re typing “coffee shop near me” or “best hardware store in [your city]”.
If your business listings don’t reflect these kinds of location-specific keywords, you’re getting buried under a mountain of irrelevant results.
And yes, while your competitors are showing up at the top of those local search results, you’re left wondering why you’re not getting the same foot traffic.
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to fix this. Just start by using location-specific keywords on your website, social media profiles, and your Shop Your Town listing.
Include terms like “[Your Service] in [Your Town]” or “Best [Service] near me.”
Make sure your business descriptions are clear and detailed, using the keywords your customers are likely to search.
For example, instead of just saying “We sell flowers,” say “We are a local flower shop in [Your Town], offering the freshest bouquets for any occasion.”
Here’s the bottom line: if you’re not speaking the language of your customers and search engines, you’re going to keep getting ignored. And if you’re still thinking SEO is too complicated, let me tell you—it’s a lot easier than losing customers to competitors who know how to get found.
#3: Not Asking for (and Leveraging) Customer Reviews
When was the last time you asked a customer to leave you a review? Be honest.
A lot of businesses don’t do this, and it’s a huge missed opportunity.
Customer reviews are one of the most important factors in local search rankings, and they carry a ton of weight when potential customers are deciding where to spend their money.
Search engines like Google love reviews—they help verify that your business is legitimate and trusted.
But the harsh truth is, if your someone has more reviews than you, they’re going to rank higher in local searches.
And the 5 star reviews don’t just make you look good, they massively influence purchasing decisions by people.
Potential customers are scrolling past your business because they see competitors with more reviews and better ratings.
Even if you’re the better option, they’ll never know if they don’t see that social proof.
You need to make asking for reviews a habit.
After every successful transaction or positive customer interaction, ask your customer to leave a review.
Whether it’s on Google, Facebook, or your Shop Your Town listing, those reviews add up and make a huge difference.
Don’t assume that happy customers will leave a review on their own—they won’t. You need to ask. It’s that simple.
Make it as easy as possible by sending a follow-up email with a direct link to leave a review. If you don’t ask, you’re leaving money on the table. Plain and simple.
Bonus Mistake: Failing to Optimize for Mobile
Let me guess—you probably think your website looks great on a desktop, right?
But here’s the problem: most customers are finding you on their phones. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re going to lose customers before they even get a chance to browse.
If a potential customer lands on your website and has to pinch and zoom to find your business hours or contact info, they’ll bounce faster than you can imagine.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. Test it out yourself—how easy is it to navigate?
Can customers find your business info in just a few clicks? Does it load quickly?
This isn’t optional. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re losing business—period.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, these mistakes are easy to fix, but they’re costing you customers every day you let them slide.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune or hire an expert to fix them.
Start by:
- Auditing your business listings for consistency.
- Optimizing your website and profiles with local SEO keywords.
- Asking for customer reviews and making it easy for people to leave them.
These changes don’t just help you get found online—they help you outrank your competitors and put your business in front of customers who are ready to spend.
Ready to take the first step?
Add your business to Shop Your Town today and start improving your local visibility. It’s free, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get your business found online.
Click here to add your business to Shop Your Town now!
