If you’re running a business in Narre Warren, showing up online—especially on Google—isn’t optional anymore. Your competitors are likely already investing in local SEO, which means if you’re not, you’re falling behind and, worse, losing business.
Let’s walk through six common mistakes that could be holding your business back and exactly what to do about each one.
1. You Don’t Have a Google Business Profile (or It’s Only Half-Filled)
Think of Google Business Profile (GBP) as your shopfront on Google Maps. If you don’t have one—or it’s only half done—you’re making a major mistake.
Without showing up on Google Maps, you’re not being seen by people who are searching for businesses like yours near them. That’s a lot of lost foot traffic and phone calls.
Now imagine your competitor has a fully completed and active GBP and you don’t. Their phone rings. Yours doesn’t. It’s that simple.
If your profile is only half-filled, it can actually hurt more than having nothing. It makes your business look unprofessional or inactive, and that turns customers away.
So, how do you get seen?
Google looks at three things when ranking businesses in the local map pack: relevance, distance, and how prominent your business looks online.
That last one is where your profile plays a big role. If you haven’t added your services, posted updates, or answered customer questions, Google has less reason to trust and show your listing.
You don’t need to overthink content either. Posting about holiday hours, promos, answers to common questions, or even pictures of your shop can help your profile stay active and visible.
2. Your Business Name, Address, or Phone Number Isn’t Consistent Online
Here’s something many people don’t realise: even a small mismatch in your phone number across websites can confuse Google.
It wants to see the exact same business details everywhere: your name, address, and phone number (that’s NAP for short). If they’re inconsistent, Google starts to doubt that your business is legitimate.
Thankfully, you don’t have to guess where the errors are. Tools like Moz Local, BrightLocal, or even a manual check of your top directories (like Yellow Pages, Yelp, and True Local) can help.
But it’s not just about Google. When potential customers see conflicting info—like two addresses or outdated phone numbers—they lose trust fast. And that can mean fewer phone calls or visits.
Are business directories still worth fixing? Absolutely. They’re still part of how Google builds trust, and some people still use them directly to find services.
If you’ve moved locations recently, your first priority is to update your Google Business Profile. Then update your website and the top directories ASAP.
Every day it stays outdated, you’re losing potential customers.
3. You Don’t Have Enough Reviews (or Any at All)
Let’s be honest. In a place like Narre Warren, having fewer than 10 Google reviews means your business isn’t even being considered. In simple words, you’re invisible to locals searching nearby.
A healthy goal is to aim for at least 30 quality reviews and to keep them coming in regularly. Reviews from five years ago don’t help much. Google—and your customers—care about what people are saying now.
But it’s not just a numbers game. Some businesses with fewer reviews still rank higher because their reviews are recent, well-written, and tied to an active, optimised GBP.
So how do you get more reviews without annoying people?
Keep it simple and consistent. Ask after a job well done. Use QR codes in your shop. Send a follow-up text or email with the review link. No need to offer bribes; just make it easy and remind them.
And bad reviews? Believe it or not, they’re not the end of the world.
A few negative reviews—if responded to properly—can actually show a different side of your business and build your credibility even further. Use them as an opportunity to show you’re real, human, and care enough to fix things.
4. You’ve Either Forgotten to Mention “Narre Warren” or You’ve Stuffed It in Everywhere
Adding “Narre Warren” to your website copy is important. But dumping it into every sentence, heading, and image tag? That’s going to backfire.
Google hates spammy tactics. If you’ve repeated the suburb name so much that the page feels robotic, your rankings can suffer.
So what’s the right approach? Place the location in natural spots: your headings, intro paragraphs, service area descriptions, and meta titles. That’s where it counts.
To localise content properly, talk like a real local. Mention challenges or needs specific to Narre Warren. Talk about suburbs you serve nearby. Share a customer success story from someone in the area.
Should you mention landmarks? Definitely—just don’t go overboard. Referring to popular areas like Fountain Gate or Narre Warren Station can make your copy more relatable and boost local relevance, especially when you’re working with an SEO service Narre Warren businesses trust.
5. You Haven’t Created Local SEO Content That Backs Up Your SEO
Your service pages alone aren’t enough. Google loves seeing you’re part of the local conversation. That’s where local content comes in.
Think about blog posts or updates tied to Narre Warren—community events, local tips, nearby business partnerships, or answers to location-specific questions.
This helps build something called topical authority. The more you talk about things that matter to the Narre Warren area, the more Google believes you’re a relevant local source.
For example, writing a blog post about “How We Helped a Local Narre Warren Café Improve Its SEO” helps in three ways: it shows relevance, creates internal links, and gives you content that connects back to your main SEO service page.
The difference between generic and local content? Generic talks about SEO in general. Hyperlocal content talks about SEO for Narre Warren business owners like you.
6. You’re Not Getting Links from Other Local Websites
Links still matter for SEO—but not all links are equal. A link from a Narre Warren football club, local charity, or nearby supplier does more for your local rankings than one from a random blog overseas.
That’s because local backlinks prove you’re part of the Narre Warren business community.
There’s a difference between a basic backlink and a local citation. A backlink might just mention your name and link. A citation includes your name, address, and phone number—reinforcing local trust.
So who might link to you? Think local clubs, schools, associations, nearby businesses, or event organisers. Offer support, collaborate, or just ask politely.
Should you sponsor events just for the link? Not by itself. But if you’re already involved—or want to build goodwill—ask for your logo and a link on their website or event page. That way, it works both for branding and SEO.
Also, don’t overlook customer testimonials. If you write one for a local supplier and they post it on their site with a link back to yours, that’s a valuable (and natural) local backlink.
Final Thoughts
If you’re running a local business in Narre Warren, these mistakes aren’t just technical—they directly impact your phone ringing, your calendar filling, and your customers finding you.
The good news? Every fix above is doable. You don’t need fancy, complicated tools. You just need to be consistent and talk like a real business that actually lives and works in Narre Warren.
And if you’re not sure where to start, check out our full Local SEO Playbook. It breaks this down step-by-step.
Need help with any of this? We’ve worked with dozens of Narre Warren businesses to improve their SEO and get them ranking locally.
With our SEO service Narre Warren, you’ll reach more local customers and grow faster.