You might offer the best service in the world, the most beautiful store, or the most effective treatments… but if people can’t find you on Google, it’s like you don’t exist.
Welcome to the world of local SEO.
Ever tried typing “wellness coach + your city” or “massage salon + your neighborhood”?
The first three results are what your potential clients see — and click.
The problem? Too many professionals miss out on that positioning… because of simple mistakes.
Today, we’ll walk through the 5 mistakes that destroy your visibility, and more importantly, how to fix them right now.
❌ Mistake #1 – Neglecting (or poorly filling out) your Google Business Profile
This is the absolute starting point. Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what allows Google to place you in the “local pack.”
You know — those three magic boxes that appear with the map?
Why it matters:
- It positions you for geo-based searches
- It gives you visibility even without a website
- It boosts your credibility through reviews and photos
Most common mistakes:
- No profile at all
- Wrong business category selected
- Outdated or incomplete information
- No recent photos
- No posts in months
Quick fix:
✅ Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are exactly the same everywhere
✅ Add at least 5 high-quality photos (storefront, interior, products, team)
✅ Post every 15 days minimum (promo, event, tip)
✅ Enable appointment booking or a link to your website
❌ Mistake #2 – Thinking local SEO = just having a website
Nope. Having a site is good, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Local SEO is an ecosystem: your Google Business Profile, your social networks, your reviews, your website, and your presence on other platforms.
What Google looks at:
- Your Google Business Profile
- Consistency of your info across other sites (directories, social media)
- Local backlinks to your site
- Social signals (likes, shares, comments…)
- Customer reviews and how recent they are
Strategic tip:
✅ Get listed on relevant directories (PagesJaunes, Yelp, industry-specific sites)
✅ Create a professional Facebook page and a fully updated LinkedIn page
✅ Respond to comments and create local engagement
✅ Collaborate with other local professionals to build relationships… and backlinks
❌ Mistake #3 – Not optimizing each page for a specific location
If you’re based in Liège but your page only says “online therapist,” you’re missing out on local clients.
What you should do:
- Include your city name in the page title, meta description, content, and even the URL Example: “Wellness Coaching in Liège – Book Your Session”
- Mention your neighborhood, known landmarks, or local events
Technical bonus:
✅ Use H1, H2 tags with your location
✅ Add a Google Map embed to your contact page
✅ Display your business address in the footer (using schema.org markup if possible)
❌ Mistake #4 – Ignoring your reviews (or avoiding them altogether)
Reviews are a game-changer. Not just for building trust, but also for your Google ranking.
What Google loves:
- Lots of reviews
- Recent reviews
- Replies from the business owner
- Consistent activity
What clients love:
- Social proof
- Your tone of response
- Feeling heard
What to avoid:
- Buying fake reviews (bad idea)
- Leaving negative comments unanswered
- Ignoring reviews on other platforms (TripAdvisor, Facebook, etc.)
Customer-friendly tip:
✅ Set up a post-service habit: send a message 24h after the appointment with a sincere review request and a direct Google link
✅ Create a QR code at your exit area so people can leave a review in one click
✅ Reply to ALL reviews, kindly and professionally — even negative ones
❌ Mistake #5 – Not thinking “mobile-first” (even though 75% of local searches are made on a smartphone)
Want to be found on mobile? Then your site needs to be mobile-friendly by design.
Mobile-friendly checklist:
- Does your site load in under 3 seconds?
- Is the “Call Now” button visible without scrolling?
- Is the text easy to read without zooming?
- Is the contact form simple?
- Do you have a WhatsApp or Messenger button at the bottom?
Bonus tip:
✅ Use a responsive theme (or ask your developer to optimize it)
✅ Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test:
👉 https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
✅ Consider SMS and push notifications for local marketing (web-to-store, geofencing…)
🎯 Bonus – 3 Quick Actions You Can Take This Week
- Google your business + city. Are you visible? If not, fix it.
- Claim or update your Google Business Profile (if you haven’t already).
- Post a local Facebook update with your location and a clear call to action.
🚀 In Summary: Local SEO is your best (free) salesperson
Local SEO is all about consistency, relevance, and proximity.
You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend 5 hours a day on it. But with the right habits, you can:
- Show up at the top of Google results
- Be found by people close to you
- Convert more easily — with less effort
Most importantly, you show that you’re active, professional, and accessible.
People don’t just want a beautiful website. They want someone who’s nearby, human, and trustworthy.
🧠 About Us
Happy People Maker is a digital agency specializing in local marketing, SEO, social media, and online visibility strategies.
We help freelancers, therapists, shop owners, and local brands stand out online — while staying true to who they are.
We also offer training in artificial intelligence, no-code tools, automation, and consulting in Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Canada.
📩 Need a tailored action plan to finally be visible?
