- Written by Hozio
- June 5, 2025
- 3 Minute Read
Skipping Out on Local SEO
This one’s a biggie. You’re running a business in NYC. That means your customers are probably right down the street. But if you’re not doing local SEO right, they won’t find you. Simple as that.
We’re talking about: not claiming your Google Business Profile, having the wrong address or hours listed, no local keywords anywhere on your site, and no mention of the boroughs or neighborhoods you serve. Fixing this doesn’t take magic. Update your profiles. Use phrases real New Yorkers search for. Get listed in local directories. These small tweaks can make a big difference—especially when you’re competing with the shop next door.
Your Site's Not Built for Phones
People aren’t Googling your business on a desktop in their living room. They’re on their phones, walking down 6th Ave, searching for “best sushi near me.” If your website looks awful or takes forever to load on mobile, you’re losing them. And Google notices that too.
What you need: A mobile-friendly design that adjusts to any screen, quick load times (especially on 4G), and easy navigation—no tiny buttons or endless scrolling. Want to stay in the game? Make sure your site feels as fast and smooth on mobile as your service is in real life.
Looking for ways to improve your customer growth?
Stuffing Keywords Like It’s 2005
People aren’t Googling your business on a desktop in their living room. They’re on their phones, walking down 6th Ave, searching for “best sushi near me.” If your website looks awful or takes forever to load on mobile, you’re losing them. And Google notices that too.
What you need: A mobile-friendly design that adjusts to any screen, quick load times (especially on 4G), and easy navigation—no tiny buttons or endless scrolling. Want to stay in the game? Make sure your site feels as fast and smooth on mobile as your service is in real life.
Weak, Generic, or Just Boring Content
Here’s the truth: Google loves good content. And so do people. If your website’s blog hasn’t been updated in a year—or worse, if it’s filled with fluff that doesn’t help anyone—it’s time for a reset. SEO isn’t just about code and links. It’s about offering value.
What you should be doing: Writing about real questions your NYC customers have, sharing case studies, how-tos, or even short local stories, and keeping it fresh and relevant, not just for search engines but for people. If your content’s solid, people stick around. That’s SEO gold.
Flying Blind Without Data
This one’s sneaky. You think your SEO’s working… but you haven’t checked the numbers in months. If you’re not using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, how do you know what’s working? Or what’s failing?
At HOZIO, we live in the data. Not because we love spreadsheets—but because that’s where the real answers are. Traffic drops? We see it early. Clicks are up but calls are down? We dig in. Check your numbers. Often. Then use what you learn to adjust your strategy.
Getting Bad Backlinks (Or None at All)
Backlinks are still one of Google’s biggest ranking factors. But not all links are good ones. Some NYC businesses think quantity over quality and wind up with a bunch of shady backlinks from random sites. That’s a fast track to nowhere—or worse, a penalty.
Instead, aim for: Links from local news outlets or blogs, mentions from industry-related sites, and collaborations with local partners. Think of backlinks like street cred. The better the source, the more Google trusts you.
Final Thought: Don’t Let These Mistakes Hold You Back
SEO isn’t about being perfect—it’s about getting smarter over time. The key is catching mistakes early, fixing them fast, and having the right team behind you. At HOZIO, we help NYC businesses clean up their SEO messes and build solid strategies that work long-term.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start ranking, let’s talk.
