8 Marketing Mistakes That Are Costing You Clients (And How to Fix Them)

You could have the best product or service in the world, but if your marketing is off, you will just keep losing clients to competitors who simply communicate to their target audience better than you. After working with many businesses and growing brands across the UK, we noticed the same simple but costly mistakes that were consistently being made before we stepped in.

We’ll break down the 10 biggest marketing mistakes that you may not notice are costing you potential clients - and how you can fix them in order to start converting traffic into loyal customers.

1. No Clear Marketing Strategy

Too many businesses rush into social media posting or paid advertising without a solid digital marketing strategy in place, and posting without strategy is like driving blindfolded. Without clear goals and a well-thought-out strategy, your social media marketing is unlikely to drive real results or ROI.

The problem: You’re relying on guesswork instead of following a clear social media strategy.

The fix: 

• Set clear goals defining your brand awareness, leads, and sales.
• Define your target audience - know who you’re aiming to reach.
• Plan your marketing around consistent campaigns. Don’t make random posts.

Struggling to define your first proper marketing strategy? Contact our team today.

Showing a clear strategy being implemented

2. Inconsistent Branding Across Platforms

If your website, advertisements, and social media pages don’t match, you will confuse potential customers - and confused customers don’t stay.

The problem: Your visuals, voice, and tone aren’t aligned across every platform - inconsistency erodes trust and makes your business feel disorganised.

The fix: Build a consistent, recognisable brand identity.

• Define your brand colours - consistency creates instant recognition and strengthens brand recall.
• Find your brand voice: Friendly, professional, bold?
• Build a cohesive identity: Make sure your visuals and messaging align across your channels.

Replicating branding options through different apps

3. Ignoring Your Website’s User Experience

In 2025, your website is where people discover, connect with, and gain trust in your brand. If it’s slow, unorganised, confusing then clients will leave before you’ve had a chance to impress them. 

The problem: Confusing navigation, slow page speeds, and a lack of clear CTAs.

The fix: 

• Simplify your layout - make your website easy and effortless to use.
• Use clear calls-to-action like “Book your free call” or “Get a quote today”
• Optimise mobile performance -  A website that functions flawlessly on a phone screen is key.

Want to learn more about this? Read about it in our other blog.

Displaying a websites user experience through stats

4. Posting Without a Content Plan

Posting at random won’t grow your brand - a consistent and strategic approach is what earns recognition and trust from your audience.

The Problem: You’re posting content whenever it crosses your mind, without a clear plan or schedule.

The fix:

• Build yourself a content plan dedicated to value posts, testimonials, and clear calls-to-action.
• Schedule your content using tools like Meta Business Suite.

Need help? Check out our content plan service!

Replicating a content plan

5. Forgetting About Local SEO

If you’re a service-based business, it’s crucial that you optimise your brand for local searches. You could be missing customers who are literally googling what you offer - if you’re not showing up in local ‘near me’ searches, potential customers won’t even know that you exist.

The problem: You’re missing from the results when people search for services near them.

The fix:

• Add your location to social media posts.
• Collect reviews and testimonials from happy customers.
• Add your city name and region in key website areas.
• Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile.

Read our guide: The complete Guide to Local SEO for Small Businesses in 2025.

Referencing local SEO through keywords

6. Not Tracking Data or Analytics

You can’t make changes to what you don’t measure - without tracking you cannot improve.

The problem: You have no idea what is working and what is not.

The fix:

• Use Google Analytics to track your website performance.
• Monitor your ad results - check your reach, clicks, and conversions.
• Use Meta Insights on Instagram or TikTok Analytics to improve your strategy.

Representing data analytics from a website

7. Talking about your business too much

Major marketing pitfall: focusing on your business instead of your audience.

The problem: Too many “we do this” and “we’re the best at this” posts.

The fix:

• Rethink your message: Talk about the benefits you will bring for your customers, not just about what services you offer.
• Back yourself up: Use client testimonials and real success stories.

Take a look at our case study on how we helped one client achieve 400% growth.

The scenario when you don't talk solely about your business

8. Relying on social media

Your social media platforms can be amazing places to grow attention towards your business - but it cannot be your only channel. Algorithms are constantly changing, and the audience isn’t fully yours.

The problem: If social media is your only platform, your traffic and leads all depend on one place.

The fix:

• Combine your social media with your website and SEO strategy.
• Encourage followers to visit your website.
• Diversify where your traffic comes from - Google, YouTube, LinkedIn.

TikTok being one of the most used social media apps

Final thoughts then?

If your making any of these mistakes, don't stress at all! Most businesses are making the same mistake. The key is identifying what's not actually working and then fixing it (with us of course)! 

At Proteus Digital, we help businesses do exactly that. Through tailored websites that convert, content that creates authenticity and strategies that are designed for growth!

Ready to fix your marketing and start creating results that speak for themselves? Book your free discovery call today!