It’s 2025, and somehow local SEO is still tripping up business owners like it’s 2013. We’ve got self-driving cars, AI assistants, and TikTok trends we’ll never understand…but local search? Still full of local SEO mistakes.
Here are the top 10 blunders we see way too often, and how you can avoid making the same ones.
1. Not Claiming Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
It’s free. It’s powerful. It shows up before your website. Yet, some businesses still haven’t claimed their GBP listing. If that’s you, fix it today.
2. Inconsistent NAP Info
Name. Address. Phone number. It sounds simple…until your Yelp says “Main Street” and your website says “Main St.” Those tiny inconsistencies are some of the most common local SEO mistakes. What’s worse is they confuse Google and hurt your rankings. Keep it tight, keep it matching.
3. Dead or Outdated Listings
Old phone number? Former location still listed? These zombie listings not only confuse customers, they also sabotage your SEO. Clean up your citations like it’s spring cleaning
4. Cringe-Worthy or Missing Photos
Your profile photo shouldn’t look like it was taken with a potato in 2011. Upload crisp, current pics of your storefront, team and happy customers. People trust what they can see.
And, yes, it may be like pulling teeth to get your team members to submit their own photos, so maybe hire a photographer for a few hours during work so they don’t have a choice.
5. Ignoring Reviews
No reviews? Bad reviews? Ignored reviews? All big no-nos. Ask happy customers to leave feedback and respond to every review (even the salty ones). Google loves engagement. So do your future clients.
Another local SEO mistake we see all the time is Google Business Profiles that have never responded to reviews, especially the bad reviews. Always respond, even if you have to swallow your pride when you do it.
6. Forgetting About On-Page Local SEO
Your homepage says “We’re the best!” That might be true, but WHERE are you the best? If you’re in Omaha, say it. Mention your city, neighborhood and nearby landmarks. Make it obvious to search engines where you’re based. You can see the Foxtown Marketing Google Business Profile as an example (even though we lost all our reviews when we moved locations…a story for another time).
7. No Local Schema Markup
Don’t sleep on structured data! Schema helps Google understand your business details better. Not sure what that is? Let us handle it. You focus on your biz, and we’ll nerd out on the code.
8. No Location Pages (If You Have Multiple Locations)
If you’ve got a few storefronts or service areas, each one deserves its own dedicated page. Don’t lump everything on one generic “locations” page. Google wants clarity. Give it what it wants.
9. Slow Site Speed (Especially on Mobile)
Local searches often happen on the go. If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, your visitors (and your rankings) are outta there. That’s not just a local SEO mistake, that’s an everywhere SEO mistake. Check your page speed here.
10. Treating Local SEO Like It’s “Set It and Forget It”
Local SEO is an ongoing effort. Rankings fluctuate. Competitors evolve. Google updates its algorithm. You’ve gotta stay in the game. Or better yet, let us do it for you.
Parting Thoughts On The Top 10 Local SEO Mistakes
Local SEO isn’t rocket science 🚀, but it is easy to mess up. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be miles ahead of the competition (and actually show up when people search “best [your business] near me”).
Want help getting your local SEO dialed in? Hit us up here. Let’s make 2026 the year your business dominates the map.
Ethan Priest is a cofounder of Foxtown Marketing and the creative force behind everything visual. From digital ads and video to full brand refreshes, Ethan makes sure every piece of content looks sharp and fits the bigger marketing picture.
But Ethan’s not just a designer. He brings serious analytical chops to the table, with deep expertise in SEO, PPC, website optimization, and the data that ties it all together. He’s the guy who can build you a beautiful landing page and then tell you exactly why it’s converting (or not).
More recently, Ethan has become one of the team’s go-to specialists in AI marketing and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), helping clients show up not just in traditional search results but in AI-generated answers and recommendations. As the way people find businesses continues to shift, Ethan is already ahead of the curve, making sure Foxtown’s clients don’t get left behind.
His background spans graphic design, motion graphics, and multimedia production, and he’s known for turning complex ideas into visuals that actually land. He works closely with the entire Foxtown team to make sure every project hits the mark and looks great doing it.
While many dream of being digital nomads, Ethan proudly calls himself a “digital slow-mad,” taking his time as he explores the world one country (and coffee shop) at a time, currently based in Lisbon. When he needs to recharge, you’ll find him nose-deep in a fantasy novel, chasing mountain trails with his camera, hunting for local art scenes, or experimenting with new animation techniques just for the fun of it.
Ethan lives by the belief that creativity isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life, and every adventure feeds the next project.
