Top 5 SEO Mistakes Cairns Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them)
Search engine optimisation (SEO) doesn’t have to be complicated, but I see the same mistakes pop up again and again when working with businesses in Cairns. These simple errors can hold back your rankings and cost you local customers. The good news is, most are easy to fix.
1. Not Claiming or Optimising Their Google Business Profile
The mistake: Many local businesses either haven’t claimed their Google Business Profile or only filled in the basics.
Why it matters: Your profile is often the first thing people see when searching for services in Cairns — it’s your digital shopfront.
How to fix it:
Claim and verify your profile
Add accurate business details, hours, and services
Upload recent photos of your business, team, or products
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews
2. Ignoring Mobile Usability
The mistake: Websites that look fine on desktop but are hard to use on a phone.
Why it matters: Most local searches happen on mobile. If your site is slow or awkward, people bounce and Google notices.
How to fix it:
Test your site on a phone (not just a computer)
se a clean layout with big, tappable buttons
Compress images so pages load fast
Check your hosting speed — cheap hosting can hurt rankings
3. Using Generic Content
The mistake: Copying text from competitors or using vague phrases like “we provide quality services.”
Why it matters: Google rewards original, useful content. Generic pages don’t rank, and they don’t convert.
How to fix it:
Write about your specific services in Cairns
Use real examples, like local projects or client stories
Add FAQs customers actually ask you
Keep language simple and clear
4. Not Tracking Results
The mistake: Spending money or effort on SEO without knowing if it’s working.
Why it matters: Without tracking, you’re flying blind.
How to fix it:
Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console
Track a core set of keywords (like “SEO Cairns” or “plumber Cairns”)
Monitor traffic, calls, and leads monthly
Adjust your strategy instead of “set and forget”
5. Forgetting About Local Links
The mistake: Businesses chase backlinks from random sites instead of building connections locally.
Why it matters: Local links show Google you’re trusted in Cairns, not just anywhere.
How to fix it:
Get listed in Cairns business directories
Partner with local organisations and ask for a link
Write a guest article for a local blog or news site
Sponsor a local event and get mentioned online
Need help?
SEO isn’t about tricks — it’s about doing the basics well. If you can avoid these five mistakes, you’ll already be ahead of many competitors in Cairns.
Need help getting it right? I provide straightforward SEO consulting in Cairns with no contracts and practical advice you can act on.
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