Top 5 SEO Mistakes Health and Wellness Businesses Should Avoid
If you run a health and wellness practice in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, or anywhere in Canada, you’ve probably wondered if your website is doing everything it can to bring in new clients. The truth is, even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make a few common SEO mistakes that hold your business back online.
I'm Carol Roderick from My Ads Team, and today I’m walking you through the top five SEO mistakes I see—and how to fix them—so your business can stand out in local search and keep growing.
1. Ignoring Local SEO
If your business relies on local clients, local SEO is critical. Without it, you're missing out on people in your own community who are searching for exactly what you offer.
For example, if you were a physiotherapy clinic in Bedford, NS, you’d want to show up when someone searches “physiotherapist near me” or “Bedford physio clinic.”
How to fix it:
Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile.
Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent across the internet.
Use location-specific keywords like “Dartmouth physiotherapy clinic” in your website copy.
2. Targeting the Wrong Keywords
Trying to rank for broad, highly competitive keywords like “physiotherapy” or “massage therapy” might seem smart, but it’s not always realistic for small businesses.
Instead, focus on specific, lower-competition keywords that match exactly what people in your area are searching for.
How to fix it:
Choose keywords that combine your service and your location, like “sports injury physiotherapy Dartmouth.”
Think like your clients: What would you type into Google if you needed your own services?
For more on smart keyword strategy, I recommend checking out this guide from Moz.
3. Neglecting Technical SEO
Technical SEO is the behind-the-scenes stuff that helps search engines crawl and rank your site properly. And when it’s overlooked, your rankings can take a hit—no matter how great your content is.
Common technical SEO issues:
Slow website load times
Broken links
Missing meta descriptions
Pages not optimized for mobile
How to fix it:
Run regular technical SEO audits.
Make sure your site is fast, secure, and mobile-friendly.
Need help? That’s exactly what we do at My Ads Team.
4. Forgetting to Create Helpful Content
SEO isn’t just about keywords—it’s about creating useful, relevant content that answers your clients’ questions and keeps them engaged.
For example, if you run a chiropractic clinic in Truro, you might write blog posts on topics like “5 Stretches to Relieve Lower Back Pain” or “How Chiropractic Care Can Help After a Car Accident.”
How to fix it:
Add new content to your site regularly.
Focus on topics your ideal clients care about.
Use keywords naturally in your headings and paragraphs.
5. Skipping Mobile Optimization
Most people will visit your website on their phones. If your site doesn’t work well on mobile, they’ll bounce—and Google will notice.
How to fix it:
Make sure your website is fully responsive and looks great on all devices.
Test your site on different phones to spot any issues.
Prioritize fast load times and simple navigation.
So... How Do You Know If You're Making These Mistakes?
Start with a Free SEO Report. I’ll show you exactly where your site stands today and where there’s room for improvement.
DIY or Done-For-You SEO Support
If you’ve got more time than money and want to manage your own SEO, check out our SEO My Way service. We’ll set you up with a strategy, tools, and support so you can confidently handle SEO yourself.
Or, if you’d rather hand it off to someone who lives and breathes SEO (that’s me!), we’ve got you covered with full-service options, too.
Either way, My Ads Team is here to help you build an SEO strategy that actually works—without the guesswork.
Ready to get your SEO working for you?
👉 Learn more about our SEO services.
👉 Get your Free SEO Report.
