If you’re running a business and want more traffic from Google, you’ve probably already tried SEO or seriously considered it. What should you do if things aren’t working out for you? Sometimes you may ask, “Does my SEO have any effect?” or “Why isn’t my SEO working properly?”
Many business owners in London, Ontario, have the same issue. This blog post will outline ways to test your SEO, describe common errors you might make, and show you how to address them.
What Is SEO and Why Does It Matter
SEO stands for search engine optimization. It means improving your website so that it appears when people search for topics related to your business online.
For example, if someone types “SEO services near me” or “search engine optimization in London, Ontario,” a well-optimized site should appear near the top of the results. If not, potential customers might never find you. That can cost your business leads, phone calls, and sales.
Most people don’t read beyond the top search results on Google. If you’re missing, you simply don’t exist.
How Do I Know If My SEO Is Working?
An early indication that SEO is helping is the increase in visitors to your site from Google. It’s common to see more calls, forms filled out, or online purchases. Still, having traffic doesn’t guarantee success. Ensure your website is attracting the right users and that they take the desired action.
How do you know if your SEO is working? There are a couple of major markers to watch for:
- People searching on Google for your products or services will often find your website.
- The number of people visiting your website through search engines is increasing.
- You are seeing a rise in leads or people who convert.
- You are listed in Google for services people might need, such as “SEO services London Ontario” or “SEO agency London Ontario.”
Google Search Console and Google Analytics allow you to track the performance of your website’s keywords. If you don’t notice progress in your job for several months, it’s possible that something deeper is happening.
Why Is My SEO Not Working?
Even if everything you’re doing seems right, but the SEO isn’t helping, don’t worry. You’d be surprised how often this happens. The issue may sometimes be with the technology, but other times it’s caused by the strategy. There are a few main reasons your SEO could fail.
You Are Targeting the Wrong Keywords
Sometimes, SEO is unsuccessful because you target keywords that your audience isn’t using when they search. For example, having a business in London, Ontario, but ignoring local keywords such as “SEO services London Ontario” and “SEO agency London Ontario” will prevent you from receiving local visitors.
You want to choose keywords that your best customers search for on Google. You can use Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find the perfect keywords for your business and location.
Your Website Has SEO problems
Too many technical problems can significantly harm your SEO. If you have good content but issues with links and speed appear, they can prevent search engines from accessing your website correctly.
If you want to confirm your SEO‘s effectiveness, check for SEO faults first. Free tools such as Ahrefs Webmaster Tools or Screaming Frog can efficiently scan your website. They will help you identify any website SEO issues and recommend improvements.
Common SEO and Local SEO Mistakes
Even if you are targeting a local or worldwide audience, failing to correct some common mistakes may negatively impact your website’s ranking.
• Using H1/H2 tags in ways that are not helpful
• Information on the website is short and offers no value
• Never mind whether a site is responsive on mobile
• Filling your content with similar terms
• Internal links are not used to their potential.
Especially be mindful of these concerns if you own a business locally:
• Different or inaccurate information about your business online
• No Google Business Profile or one that could not be proven
• Less available customer feedback
• Not having local keywords in your website
Improving these mistakes will help you appear more in search results near you.
You Are Not Giving It Enough Time
You won’t get results from SEO overnight. It may take some time, even a few months, to see progress if your site is new or operating in a competitive field. Sometimes, SEO can take a while, even if you’ve only been practicing for a month.
Even so, you should check on your finances often. If you haven’t made any progress after six months, there might be an issue.
How to Fix SEO That’s Not Working
Having understood why SEO is ineffective, let’s review some steps to fixing it. Following them will allow you to become more successful.
Do an SEO Audit
You should always start by finding any errors related to SEO. Tools online can check your website for potential problems, faulty links, and the use of meta tags. Working on these can greatly benefit your site’s speed and overall performance.
Avoid any local SEO mistakes, especially if you want to attract customers from a specific area. Update your Google Business Profile completely and ensure your business name, address, and phone number are the same everywhere.
Update Your Keyword Strategy
Review your keywords and ensure that’s what your customers are searching for.
Try making searches using place names and what you’re looking for, like “SEO agency London Ontario” or “SEO services near me.” Center your advertising around statements that align with your type of service and the specific area you serve.
Always ensure your pages address the questions you believe your visitors want to know. When someone asks, “How can I check my SEO’s progress?” They need a concise answer. Keep your content easy for your audience to grasp and apply.
Create Better Content
Search engines aim to present users with useful and detailed results. Check that each page on your site provides a solution or answers a customer’s question. Do not copy someone else’s site, and avoid using keywords that you think will rank highly.
Create blog posts, service pages, or guide content that addresses the needs of your audience. To illustrate, a post about the most common SEO problems or the steps to spot website SEO issues will attract new readers and prove that you’re an expert in search engine optimization.
Improve Website Speed and Mobile Design
The majority of website traffic today is generated from mobile devices. If visitors find your site hard to navigate from a phone or if it’s slow, both Google and most visitors will notice. Slow-loading websites cause over $2.6 billion in revenue loss annually. A website that loads slowly is detrimental to your revenue and SEO (SEO.com).
Run a test of your website through Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Remove anything that delays your site’s performance. Design your website so that people using mobile devices can easily navigate through your buttons and text.
Build Links and Get Reviews
Obtaining links from various sites demonstrates to Google that your site is trustworthy. Getting into local directories or writing for other blogs in your industry is also a good idea.
Your satisfied customers can help by writing reviews on Google. Having reviews matters especially for small business SEO. They improve people’s trust in your business and help you get ahead of competitors.
Get Professional SEO Help
It’s fine to seek advice from a professional if you get stuck. Local experts understand your community well and can offer valuable advice.
If you’re in London, Ontario, find agencies that are experts in your area. You can use “SEO agency London Ontario” or “search engine optimization London Ontario” in a search to find experts who are familiar with your market and what it takes to make you visible on the web.
With professional help, you can accomplish tasks more efficiently, minimize errors, and achieve results more quickly.
Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever
Obtaining more visibility online largely depends on local SEO. Small or medium-sized companies in London, Ontario, can especially rely on local SEO to help their phone lines stay active, rather than having an empty inbox.
That’s why someone might type “SEO services near me” into Google. If you don’t prepare your business for local search, your competitors will rank higher and your customers will call them instead of you.
Not making errors in local SEO is a smart choice for protecting your company and ensuring your community sees you.
How to Keep SEO Working Over Time
If your SEO is doing its job, this doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Optimizing sites is an ongoing process, as Google’s algorithm continues to evolve over time and your competitors continually strive for the top. Keep your SEO functioning by following these suggestions:
- Regularly add new material to your site.
- Monitor your site’s performance in terms of rankings and traffic.
• Address new SEO issues as soon as possible.
• Constantly try to gain good links.
- Check the latest SEO updates related to your local area.
Maintaining good SEO takes time. Properly carrying out SEO results in more visitors, more interest in your business, and more opportunities to grow.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Poor SEO Hold You Back
SEO can greatly help your business grow, but only if used effectively. However, if your SEO isn’t helping your website, now is the right time to address the problem. When you know the problem, such as a flaw in technical SEO or a wrong keyword strategy, you’re closer to seeing the desired results.
You should ask: “How do I know if my SEO is working?” When you’re unsure, you must look further.
Seeking help to optimize your SEO? Don’t wait. At Momentum360, we focus on helping companies like yours establish a strong online presence. If issues with your SEO are local, if you find website errors, or if you don’t notice results, our SEO experts are here for you.
Let’s make sure your SEO works properly again. Contact us today and begin boosting your business online.
