Top 5 Social Media Mistakes That Businesses Make

Social media can feel like just one more thing on a long list of marketing tasks. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits can make the difference between an account that’s helping your business grow and one that’s quietly working against you.

Here are five common social media mistakes small businesses make—and some easy ways to fix them.

1 : Not being social

It sounds simple, but plenty of businesses still don’t respond to messages or comments on their posts.

Every comment or DM is a touchpoint with your customers or potential customers. When you ignore them, it can come across as unapproachable or disinterested.

The Fix: Assign someone on your team to monitor comments and messages, and create a plan for how to respond. Keep your replies friendly and authentic—people can tell when they’re getting a copy-and-paste answer.

If your pages are busy, consider using a social media management tool to help track and respond quickly.

Bonus: Consistent engagement helps boost your visibility in most algorithms. Plus, making your audience feel like they’re welcome on your page builds a sense of community and loyalty around your brand. 

2 : Talking only about yourself

We’ve all met someone who dominates the conversation. Don’t be that person online.

If every post is about your company’s achievements or promotions, your followers will tune out. People are on social media to connect, learn, and be inspired—definitely not just to hear sales pitches.

The Fix: Think of your social presence like a good conversation. Mix it up with content your audience will genuinely enjoy, such as tips, stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or a happy customer profile.

When you show that you understand your audience’s interests and challenges, your brand feels more relatable, and they’ll want to stick around for more content.

3 : Starting strong, then going silent

It’s an incredibly common scene: you launch your business page with enthusiasm, post a few times. . .and then the months go by. An inactive profile doesn’t reflect well upon your business, and some viewers might think that you’ve closed.

The Fix: Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to social media. Choose one or two platforms you can manage well rather than spreading yourself too thin.

Use scheduling tools to plan posts ahead, or invite employees to contribute content. And if you need to step back, don’t just disappear—let followers know where they can find more recent updates.

A simple post like, “We’re taking a break from Facebook—follow us on Instagram @yourhandle for current updates!” keeps your audience informed and your brand looking organized.

4 : Incomplete or outdated profiles

It may sound basic, but missing or incorrect business information is still one of the biggest social media missteps.

Details like your operating hours, contact info, and location should always be up to date. Inconsistent or incomplete listings can frustrate potential customers and hurt your local SEO.

The Fix: Take the time to fully complete every business profile you create and review them periodically. Keep a master document with your business name, address, phone number, and description written exactly how you want it displayed across all platforms.

Consistency matters. It helps customers find you and reinforces your credibility online.

5 : Inconsistent branding

If your name, logo, colours, or messaging look different from one platform to another, it can confuse your audience and weaken your brand identity.

The Fix: Make sure your brand identity, messaging, and tone of voice are consistent everywhere your brand appears, both online and off. Use your current logo, colour palette, and a clear and consistent profile image across all social accounts.

When everything feels cohesive, it helps people instantly recognize your business and builds trust over time.

If you’re not sure where the logo should be placed, either in the profile pic or cover image, consult a professional with experience in digital marketing.

Keeping your social media organized and consistent may take effort, but it pays off. You’ll build a more credible online presence, connect better with your audience, and make every post count.

Not sure if your social media accounts are optimized for local SEO? I can offer a quick audit—contact me to set this up.

Images by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash.