What Is the #1 Keyword Mistake Businesses Make?
If you own a small business today, you already know how important it is to show up online. You want customers to find you when they search for what you do, right?
But here’s the truth:
Most businesses are picking the wrong keywords.
And it’s a BIG problem.
Studies show that about 68% of small businesses guess their keywords without any research (Source: Backlinko, 2024). That’s like throwing darts in the dark and hoping they hit something!
Even worse, a lot of business owners pick keywords that sound good but don’t match what real people are actually typing into Google. This mistake causes websites to sit at the bottom of search results—where no customers ever go.
That’s why at Business Solutions Marketing Group, we help small businesses not just pick keywords… but pick the right ones to win in local SEO.
Why Effective Keyword Research for Local SEO Matters
Here’s something crazy:
46% of all Google searches are for local businesses (Source: HubSpot, 2024).
That means almost half of everyone searching online is trying to find something nearby—like a lawyer, a plumber, a dentist, or even a marketing expert!
Even crazier: About 92% of searchers pick a business on the first page of Google (Source: SEOClarity, 2023).
If you’re not there, you’re invisible. It’s like opening a store but forgetting to put up a sign.
Good keyword research helps your business:
- Show up in the right searches
- Get more clicks
- Bring in more customers
- Beat out the competition in your town
It’s not just about picking popular words. It’s about picking the smart ones.
The Surprising Mistakes Most Businesses Make with Keywords
Let’s look at the biggest mistakes small businesses make when choosing keywords:
1. Picking Keywords That Are Way Too Broad
Example:
A dog groomer chooses the keyword “dogs.”
But “dogs” could mean anything! Dog training, dog food, dog adoption…
Instead, a better keyword might be “dog grooming near me” or “affordable dog groomer [city name].”
These are keywords real customers type when they are ready to pay for a service.
👉 Stat you should know:
Only 7% of small businesses target “near me” keywords, even though 76% of local searches use “near me” (Source: Search Engine Land, 2024).
That’s a huge missed opportunity!
2. Ignoring What Customers Are Actually Searching
Some businesses get stuck using fancy words or industry terms.
But guess what? Customers don’t search the way businesses talk.
Example:
An attorney calls themselves a “personal injury litigation specialist.”
But real people search for “car accident lawyer near me.”
👉 Stat you should know:
61% of small businesses rank for keywords that customers never even use (Source: Semrush, 2023).
If you aren’t using your customers’ language, you’re invisible to them!
3. Forgetting to Add Location Words
If you are a local business, you MUST add your city, neighborhood, or region to your keywords.
Example:
Don’t just use “plumber.”
Use “emergency plumber in Atlanta” or “24-hour plumber [your city].”
👉 Stat you should know:
Google says that mobile searches for “open now near me” have grown over 200% in the last two years (Source: Google Trends, 2024).
People want local answers fast—and if you don’t say where you are, they won’t find you.
How to Find the Right Keywords (Without Guessing)
Finding smart keywords isn’t hard when you know what to do. Here’s a simple plan:
Step 1: Think Like Your Customer
Ask yourself:
- What would someone type if they needed my service?
- Would they use simple words?
- Would they add “near me” or their city?
Use the words your customers would use, not fancy business words.
Step 2: Use Free Tools
There are free online tools that can help you find good keywords! Some easy ones:
- Google Autocomplete: Start typing in Google and see what it suggests.
- AnswerThePublic.com: Shows what questions people ask about a topic.
- Ubersuggest: Gives you keyword ideas for free.
Look for keywords that show people are ready to buy, like:
- “Affordable dentist near me”
- “Emergency locksmith [city]”
- “Best SEO company [city]”
Step 3: Pick Specific Keywords
Pick long-tail keywords (3 or more words).
These get fewer searches, but they are super targeted.
Example:
Instead of “bakery,” try “custom birthday cakes downtown Miami.”
👉 Stat you should know:
Long-tail keywords make up over 70% of all searches (Source: Ahrefs, 2024).
That’s where the real customers are!
Step 4: Keep Checking Your Keywords
The internet changes fast.
You should check your keywords every few months and make updates.
At Business Solutions Marketing Group, we help small businesses do this without the headache. Our Local SEO Optimization Services make sure your business stays in front of the right people all year long.
How Business Solutions Marketing Group Helps You
We get it—you’re busy running your business.
You don’t have hours to spend digging through keyword tools and Google trends!
That’s why at Business Solutions Marketing Group, we offer services like:
- Video Marketing: Boosts your online visibility and makes you stand out.
- Reputation Management: Protects your business reviews and brand.
- Review Removal: Gets rid of fake or unfair reviews that hurt your ranking.
- Google Business Listing Optimization: Makes sure your business shows up first when customers search.
Our team does the keyword research, sets up your Google profile, and even helps create local content that brings in real, paying customers.
We’ve helped small businesses grow for over a decade—and we’d love to help yours too.
Conclusion: Smart Keyword Research = More Customers
If you remember only one thing from this article, remember this:
Guessing your keywords is like guessing where your customers are.
You’ll miss them.
But smart keyword research?
It puts you right in front of them—just when they’re ready to buy.
Stop making the #1 keyword mistake businesses make.
Find the right words, show up online, and watch your business grow.
And if you want help making it easy, reach out to us at Business Solutions Marketing Group.
We’re here to help you win online—one smart keyword at a time.
