5 Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Business Online

[00:00:00] Are you spinning your wheels, trying to build your online presence, but not seeing results? You might be making one of these five common mistakes that businesses make when it comes to visibility. 

Today, I'm going to walk you through the top five visibility mistakes I've seen businesses make. And more importantly, how you can avoid them. By the end, you'll have the tools to sidestep these pitfalls and start getting noticed online. I've worked with hundreds of small business owners over the last two decades. And trust me, these mistakes are more common than you think. The good news, with just a few changes, you can set your business on the path to success.

Now, before we dive in, don't forget to download my free resource, the ultimate 2025 visibility checklist. It's packed with [00:01:00] actionable steps to ensure you're building your online presence the right way. The link is below.

 Welcome to Simplified Solutions, your go to resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice, innovative strategies, and simple solutions for business, marketing, and technology. I'm your host, Kristina Stubblefield. If you're eager to take your business to greater heights, then you're in the right place.

We're here to help you unleash your business's untapped potential, boost your visibility, and maximize your investments. Let's dive into the world of Simplified Solutions. Stay tuned, and let's simplify success together. 

Okay. Mistake number one, not knowing your audience. This is one of the biggest mistakes businesses make [00:02:00] is trying to speak to everyone, which ends up resonating with no one. Get clear on who your target audience is. Let me make this really clear. You want to get crystal clear on who your target audience is.

Ask yourself, who are they? What are their pain points? Where do they spend their time online? Use this information to tailor your content and messaging directly to them.

Mistake number two, ignoring your Google Business Profile. Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful free tools. Did you hear me?

I said free. Yet so many businesses either ignore it or they set it up once and they never touch it again. A client came to me [00:03:00] frustrated about low visibility. When I checked their Google business profile, it had the wrong hours and it had no recent photos. Once we optimized it, they saw a noticeable increase in local inquiries.

within weeks. Keep your Google business profile updated with accurate information, photos, and regular post. Respond to reviews promptly. This is important because it shows potential clients you're engaged and professional. 

Mistake number three, inconsistent content creation. Many businesses post sporadically or only when they feel inspired, which leads to inconsistency and disengaged audiences. I've seen [00:04:00] businesses that post five times a week in one week and then they go silent for a month. This confuses your audience and it affects how platforms rank your content.

Create a content calendar and plan at least a month ahead. Focus on quality over quantity and repurpose your best performing content across multiple platforms. 

 Mistake number four, neglecting mobile optimization. Over half of all web traffic is mobile, yet many small businesses and entrepreneurs overlook Mobile optimization for their websites.

Ask yourself, when is the last time you looked at your own website on a mobile device? [00:05:00] A restaurant owner that we worked with lost potential customers because their menu wasn't readable on mobile. A simple mobile friendly update made a huge difference for them. So please take the time, test your website on mobile devices, make sure it loads quickly.

That it's easy to navigate and has a clear call to action buttons like call now or book today, depending on what your call to action is. 

Mistake number five, focusing on followers instead of engagement. Too many businesses chase vanity metrics like followers instead of focusing on building genuine engagement.

Engage with your audience by responding to comments, starting conversations, and asking [00:06:00] questions. Focus on building relationships, not just numbers. Think about this for just a moment. If 50 people see your post on Instagram, do you think to yourself, Oh, it was only 50 people that saw this, or do you think, wow, 50 people saw my post.

It only takes one person taking action to move the needle in your business. So don't get hung up on vanity metrics. 

So what all did we just cover? Not knowing your audience, ignoring your Google business profile, being inconsistent with content creation, neglecting mobile optimization, and focusing on followers instead of [00:07:00] engagement. I encourage you to choose one mistake to address this week.

For example, update your Google business profile. Or create a simple content plan. Small steps can lead to big results. 

 Now, if you found this information helpful, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could also use these tips. And stay tuned for next time when we talk about how ChatGPT can help you create content that gets noticed.

And remember to grab the Ultimate 2025 Visibility Checklist. It's your guide to building an impactful online presence this year. Download it now using the link below. 

 Thank you for joining us today on Simplified [00:08:00] Solutions. If you found value in this episode and want to dive deeper into topics like this, here's how you can stay connected. Join our vibrant Facebook group, Simplified Solutions with Kristina Stubblefield to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and continue the conversation.

For deeper dives into our topics and more exclusive content, visit our YouTube channel. Just search Kristina Stubblefield to find us. And if you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback fuels our mission to simplify success. We appreciate you being part of our community.

Until next time, remember there are always simplified solutions for your business.