You’re doing everything right: you’ve launched a website, listed your business on Google, maybe even written a blog or two — but you’re still not ranking.
Sound familiar?
We work with dozens of businesses across Burnaby, and in 90% of cases, they’re making the same costly SEO mistakes without realizing it. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them.
Many local businesses struggle to implement effective SEO without a clear roadmap. Leveraging a tailored digital marketing approach can help you avoid costly mistakes, improve search rankings, and attract more qualified leads.
Mistake #1: Using the Same Content as Everyone Else
Many Burnaby businesses copy content from competitors, suppliers, or use generic templates from web designers. The problem? Google rewards originality — and penalizes duplication.
Fix It:
- Write unique content for every page (especially your home and service pages)
- Include local references like “Burnaby,” “Metrotown,” or “Brentwood”
- Answer specific customer questions in your niche
👉 Need help writing content that ranks?
Mistake #2: Ignoring Google Business Profile Optimization
Setting up your Google Business Profile and forgetting about it is a big miss. Without updates, photos, reviews, and service categories, you won’t rank in the Map Pack.
Fix It:
- Add updated photos, services, and a detailed business description
- Post weekly updates and respond to reviews
- List service areas (e.g., Burnaby Heights, Edmonds, etc.)
👉 See our guide to ranking in the Google Map Pack
Mistake #3: Targeting the Wrong Keywords
Ranking for “best business” is meaningless if no one in Burnaby is searching for it. Many websites focus on broad or irrelevant keywords, instead of local, intent-based terms.
Fix It:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest
- Target phrases like “Burnaby SEO agency” or “electrician near Metrotown”
- Create pages for each service and city you serve
👉 Explore our local SEO strategy
Mistake #4: Not Having Separate Location Pages
If you serve multiple cities but only have one “Services” page, Google doesn’t know where you actually operate — and you miss out on location-specific rankings.
Fix It:
- Create individual pages for:
- Optimize each with local keywords and contact info
- Add schema and internal links between pages
Mistake #5: No Internal Linking or Site Structure
A confusing website hurts SEO. If Google can’t crawl your pages easily — or if visitors can’t find what they need — you’ll lose both rankings and trust.
Fix It:
- Use clear header structures (H1 for titles, H2 for sections)
- Add internal links to related pages and blog posts
- Keep navigation simple, with clear categories and contact options
Bonus: Not Tracking Results
If you’re not using Google Analytics or Search Console, you’re flying blind.
Fix It:
- Set up both tools to track traffic, keywords, bounce rates, and conversions
- Review reports monthly
- Use this data to adjust content, targeting, and structure
What Happens When You Fix These SEO Mistakes?
We’ve seen Burnaby businesses go from:
- Page 3 to top 3 on Google
- 100 to 2,000+ monthly website visitors
- 1–2 leads/month to daily phone calls and form submissions
It’s not about gimmicks — it’s about getting the basics right.
Want Expert Help Fixing Your SEO?
At Burnaby SEO, we help local businesses turn their websites into 24/7 lead generators. No fluff, no mystery — just honest SEO that works.
Office Location:
Burnaby, BC (Serving clients across Metro Vancouver & the Fraser Valley)
Get In touch
778.820.1444 info@burnabyseo.ca
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST Saturday & Sunday: By appointment