If you’re a business owner in Kerala and feel like your competitors are getting all the customers from Google while you’re being ignored, you’re not alone. Most local businesses in Kannur, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and across Kerala are making simple SEO mistakes that cost them customers every single day.
The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix once you know what they are.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the 10 most common local SEO mistakes I see Kerala businesses making—and more importantly, how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Not Claiming Your Google Business Profile
The Problem:
Many Kerala businesses either haven’t claimed their Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) or have claimed it but never optimized it. This is like having a shop but forgetting to put up a signboard.
When someone searches “bakery near me” or “electrical shop in Kannur,” Google shows businesses with complete, verified profiles first. If yours isn’t claimed, you’re invisible.
Pro Tip: Businesses with complete Google Business Profiles get 7x more clicks than incomplete ones.
Mistake 2: Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) Information
The Problem:
Your business name is “ABC Electronics” on Google, “ABC Electronic Shop” on Facebook, and “ABC Electronics Kannur” on your website. Google gets confused and doesn’t trust your business information.
I’ve seen Kerala businesses use different phone numbers on different platforms, mix up their address format, or use Malayalam on some listings and English on others.
Important: If you serve multiple locations in Kerala, create separate pages or listings for each location.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Google Reviews (Or Worse, Buying Fake Ones)
The Problem:
You have 3 reviews from 2 years ago, or worse—you bought 50 five-star reviews from someone on Facebook and they all came in the same week with generic comments like “Good service.”
Google is smarter than that. Fake reviews can get your business penalized. And real customers trust businesses with authentic, recent reviews.
Mistake 4: Not Using Location Keywords on Your Website
The Problem:
Your website says “We provide the best plumbing services” but never mentions Kannur, Kerala, or the specific areas you serve. Google doesn’t know where you operate.
When someone searches “plumber in Taliparamba,” Google has no idea your business serves that area.
Don’t Overdo It: Use keywords naturally. Don’t stuff “Kannur plumber Kannur plumbing Kannur” everywhere.
Google is smarter than that. Fake reviews can get your business penalized. And real customers trust businesses with authentic, recent reviews.
Mistake 5: No Mobile-Friendly Website (Or No Website at All)
The Problem:
Over 80% of local searches in Kerala happen on mobile phones. If your website looks broken on mobile, takes forever to load, or worse—you only have a Facebook page—you’re losing customers.
I’ve seen beautiful websites that are impossible to navigate on a phone, with tiny text and buttons you can’t click.
Mistake 7: Using Only English (Ignoring Malayalam Searches)
The Problem:
Most Kerala businesses optimize only for English keywords like “restaurant in Kannur” but ignore the fact that many locals search in Malayalam: “കണ്ണൂരിലെ റെസ്റ്റോറന്റ്”
You’re missing out on a huge portion of your target audience.
Mistake 6: Not Adding Business to Google Maps
The Problem:
Your business exists physically in Kannur, but when someone searches Google Maps, you don’t show up. They see your competitors instead.
This is often because the business location isn’t properly set in Google Business Profile, or the address is unclear.
Verification Tip: Click “Suggest an edit” on Google Maps and verify your location is correct from a customer’s perspective.
Mistake 8: Never Posting Google Business Updates
The Problem:
You created your Google Business Profile three years ago and haven’t touched it since. No photos, no posts, no updates. It looks like an abandoned business.
Meanwhile, your competitors are posting weekly updates about offers, new products, events, and business news.
Mistake 9: Ignoring Local Backlinks and Citations
The Problem:
Your website has no connections to other Kerala-based websites, local directories, or community platforms. Google sees this as a lack of local relevance and authority.
Mistake 10: Not Tracking Results (Flying Blind)
The Problem:
You’re doing “some SEO things” but have no idea if they’re working. You don’t know:
- How many people find you on Google
- Which keywords bring you traffic
- How many calls you get from Google Business Profile
- What content on your website is most popular
Without data, you’re just guessing.
Final Thoughts
Local SEO for Kerala businesses isn’t complicated, but it requires attention and consistency. Most of your competitors are making at least 5 of these mistakes right now.
By fixing them, you’ll immediately stand out in local search results.
Remember: Every customer searching for your services in Kannur, Kochi, or anywhere in Kerala is a potential sale. Don’t let simple SEO mistakes cost you business.
Need help fixing these SEO mistakes for your Kerala business? I offer free 30-minute consultations where we’ll audit your current local SEO and create a customized action plan.
Contact me:
- Email: akshayakkashokan@gmail.com
Let’s get your business ranking on Google and bringing in more customers!