Top 10 Website Mistakes That Could Be Hurting Your Google Ranking

Top 10 Website Mistakes That Could Be Hurting Your Google Ranking

What business owners in Moncton need to know (and how to fix it without doing it all yourself)

If your business isn’t showing up on Google, your website could be the reason why.

As a business owner in Moncton, you might not have time to dig into technical SEO—but knowing what’s holding your site back is the first step toward fixing it.

At Fresh Start Digital Marketing, we build modern websites that are easy to use, easy to find, and designed to help you grow.

Here are 10 of the most common website issues that can hurt your search rankings (and what to do about them).

1. Your Website Doesn’t Work Well on Mobile

Most people check out your website on their phone. If it’s hard to read, slow to load, or clunky to navigate, they’ll leave—and Google will notice.

A mobile-friendly website isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.


2. Your Site Takes Too Long to Load

Speed matters. A slow website can frustrate visitors and push your site down in Google’s results.

Often, slow load times are caused by oversized images or outdated design. A simple refresh can make a big difference.


3. You’re Not Showing Up for the Right Searches

Many business websites don’t include the kinds of words their customers are actually typing into Google. That makes it hard to show up when people are searching.

Example: If you’re a landscaping company in Riverview, your website should include phrases like “landscaping in Riverview” or “yard maintenance services near me.”


4. You Don’t Have Clear Page Titles or Descriptions

Search engines rely on these to understand your pages. If they’re missing—or all the same—your site could be ignored.

Every page should have a simple, clear title that reflects what it’s about.


5. Your Content Is Too Thin (or Copied)

Google rewards websites that are helpful and original. If your site just says “We offer great service. Contact us!”—that’s not enough.

You don’t need to write a novel—but your website should answer basic questions your customers have.


6. Your Business Location Isn’t Clear

If your website doesn’t clearly say where you’re located or what areas you serve, you may be missing out on local traffic.

For example, if you’re a hair salon in Dieppe, make sure your homepage mentions it—and your contact page includes a map.


7. There Are Broken Links or Pages That Don’t Work

Nothing turns customers off faster than clicking a link and getting an error. It also tells Google your site isn’t well maintained.

A quick check from your web team can fix this—no need to do it yourself.


8. It’s Not Clear What You Want People to Do

A great website guides visitors toward action—like calling you, filling out a form, or booking an appointment.

If your website doesn’t have clear buttons or contact options, people may leave without taking the next step.


9. You’re Not Showing Up on Google Maps

Having a Google Business Profile helps you appear in local searches—especially on mobile. But many businesses haven’t fully set it up or linked it to their site.

Make sure your business is listed and your info matches your website exactly.


10. Your Website Isn’t Secure (No HTTPS)

If your site shows “Not Secure” in the browser, that’s a red flag for customers and Google. It can impact your ranking and your reputation.

A proper SSL certificate is easy for your web team to set up—and absolutely worth it.


Want Help Fixing These Issues?

You don’t have to do it all yourself—and you shouldn’t have to.

At Fresh Start Digital Marketing, we help businesses across Moncton and New Brunswick improve their websites and get found online.

If you’re ready for a website that actually helps your business grow, we’re ready to help.

👉 Book a free discovery call and get honest, helpful feedback—no pressure.

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Fresh Start Digital Marketing – Moncton’s Website & SEO Experts

Based in Moncton, we help local businesses build websites that actually deliver results. Our services include:

Whether you’re in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, or anywhere in New Brunswick, we’ve been trusted for over 20 years to help businesses grow online.

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Fresh Start Digital Marketing

Moncton, New Brunswick