Why Your New Orleans Website Isn’t Ranking (Even If It Looks Great):
7 SEO Fixes You Need Now
Your website looks amazing. It’s got bold colors, sharp images, and maybe even a little jazz-inspired flair. But here’s the kicker: if it’s not showing up on Google, it’s not doing its job.
At Design the Planet, we’ve seen it time and time again—business owners from Uptown to Mid-City invest in beautiful websites, only to find that their online visibility is stuck in Bayou St. John. The truth is, design alone doesn’t drive traffic. SEO does.
If your site isn’t ranking, it’s likely missing some key local NOLA ingredients. Let’s dive into 7 SEO fixes that can help your New Orleans business rise to the top of search results—and start attracting the customers you deserve.
01
Your New Orleans Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
More than 60% of local searches happen on mobile devices. Whether someone’s looking for a po-boy shop near the Garden District or a contractor in Lakeview, they’re probably doing it from their phone.
If your site isn’t optimized for mobile—meaning it’s hard to navigate, slow to load, or just plain clunky—Google will penalize it. Mobile-first indexing means your mobile site is now the primary version Google uses to rank you.
Fix it: Use responsive design, test your site on multiple devices, and make sure buttons, menus, and forms are easy to use on a small screen.
02
You’re New Website is Missing Local Keywords
Your site might say “we offer great service,” but does it say “great service in New Orleans”? If not, you’re missing a huge opportunity.
Local keywords tell Google where you are and who you serve. Including terms like “New Orleans,” “NOLA,” “Lakeview,” “Bywater,” or “Orleans Parish” helps your site show up when people search for businesses in those areas.
Fix it: Add geo-targeted keywords to your homepage, service pages, blog posts, and even image alt text. Think like your customer: what would they type into Google to find you?
03
Your New Orleans Business Site Loads Too Slowly
In the digital world, speed is everything. A slow site frustrates users and signals to Google that your site isn’t worth ranking.
Common culprits include oversized images, outdated plugins, bloated code, and cheap hosting. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, you’re losing visitors—and rankings.
Fix it: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to diagnose speed issues. Compress images, streamline your code, and consider upgrading your hosting if needed.
04
You Don’t Have a Google Business Profile (Or It’s Incomplete)
Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful tools for local SEO. It’s what shows up in the map pack when someone searches for “coffee shop near me” or “New Orleans web design.”
If your profile isn’t claimed, verified, and filled out with accurate info, photos, and reviews, you’re missing out on free visibility.
Fix it: Claim your profile, add your business hours, upload high-quality images, and encourage happy customers to leave reviews. Respond to those reviews to show engagement.
05
Your Content Isn’t Optimized
Even the prettiest site won’t rank if the content is thin, generic, or missing key SEO elements. Google wants to see valuable, relevant content that answers users’ questions.
That means using proper headings, writing keyword-rich copy, and including meta titles and descriptions for every page. A blog that speaks to local interests—like “Best places to host a corporate event in New Orleans”—can drive serious traffic.
Fix it: Audit your content. Make sure each page has a clear purpose, includes relevant keywords, and offers real value. Don’t forget to optimize your images and use internal links.
06
You’re Ignoring Technical SEO
Technical SEO is the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps your site running smoothly. It includes things like site structure, broken links, crawl errors, and schema markup.
If your site has broken pages, duplicate content, or confusing navigation, Google may struggle to index it properly. That means lower rankings—even if everything else looks good.
Fix it: Run a technical audit using tools like Screaming Frog or SEMrush. Fix broken links, clean up your sitemap, and make sure your site is easy for search engines to crawl.
Bonus Tip from Adrienne and the Design the Planet Team:
SEO Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
We know—SEO can feel overwhelming. But it’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about making consistent improvements that build over time.
Think of SEO like a second line parade: it starts with a few instruments, but when everyone joins in, it becomes something powerful. The same goes for your website—each fix adds momentum.
Real Talk From Your Local SEO Company:
Looking Good Isn’t Enough
We love great design. Heck, it’s in our name. But we also know that a beautiful site without SEO is like a jazz band with no audience. It might sound great, but no one’s hearing it.
At Design the Planet, we help New Orleans businesses create websites that look amazing and perform. From Magazine Street boutiques to Metairie law firms, we’ve helped clients climb the rankings and grow their visibilit
Want to Know Where You Stand?
We’ve created a free SEO Audit Checklist for Business Owners—designed specifically for New Orleans businesses. It’s easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy, and it’ll help you spot the biggest issues holding your site back.
Let’s Get You Found
If you’re tired of being invisible online, let’s talk. Whether you need a quick tune-up or a full SEO strategy, Design the Planet is here to help you grow your digital footprint—right here in the Crescent City.
Let’s make your website work as hard as you do.