In some previous episodes, we talked about the what Search Engine Optimization is and how Search Engine works
Now, let’s explore the next essential topic for new website owners to focus on common SEO mistakes.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” Simply, it means enhancing a website or online content to improve its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). The more visibility a website has on search engines, the more likely the brand captures business.
Here are some common SEO mistakes to avoid and how to correct them
1. Ignoring Keyword Research
Content creation built around relevant keywords positively impacts user experience and improves SEO performance. Without keyword research, you won’t understand what terms your potential customers are searching for.
Business owners may aim for keywords with very high search volumes. Although relevant, targeting these keywords can significantly prolong your SEO success
Correcting this mistake involves:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to identify relevant keywords for your industry.
- Use primary and secondary keywords in critical places: titles, headers, meta descriptions, URLs, and throughout the content naturally.
2. Not optimizing your website for mobile
Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, the mobile version of your site is considered the primary version for ranking purposes. Without mobile optimization, your rankings can suffer.
Common mistakes in neglecting mobile optimization include layout and design issues. What appears excellent on a desktop might not translate well to mobile, leading to a subpar user experience
How to Correct Not Optimizing Your Website for Mobile
- Mobile users expect fast load times. Optimize images, leverage browser caching, and minimize code to improve loading speed.
- Use analytics tools to track mobile traffic, bounce rates, and user behavior
3. Inconsistent contact information
Search engines use contact information to verify a business’s legitimacy and relevance. Inconsistent contact details can confuse potential customers and lead to mistrust. When users find different contact information on various platforms, they may question your business’s credibility, resulting in lost opportunities and reduced conversions.
How to Fix Inconsistent Contact Information
- Make sure your website’s contact page is up to date with the correct NAP(Name, Address, Phone Number), information.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp. Respond to reviews and correct any misinformation that might appear.
4. Focusing on link quantity over quality
Links are the bread and butter of SEO. To improve the overall ranking and metrics of your site, you need to be getting links from authoritative external sites.
These external links get picked up by the Google algorithm which then starts to recognise your site as trustworthy and high-quality. After all, if another well-ranking site is linking to your site, you must be good – right?
Where some businesses fall short is focusing on quantity over quality. As with anything, having more of something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. Mass outreach and link building to lower-quality sites can damage your performance. Google’s algorithm is smart enough to know when you’re trying to pull the wool over their eyes.
5. Default meta descriptions
Meta descriptions function as concise marketing messages capable of enhancing your click-through rate. They should incorporate a call to action, compelling language, alignment with page content, and pertinent keywords. Failure to supply a meta description prompts Google to auto-generate one for your listing.
How to correct them:
- Include a call to action in your meta descriptions to encourage users to click on your link.
- Incorporate primary and secondary keywords naturally into meta descriptions to improve their relevance and visibility in search results.
6. Redirecting to wrong pages
Redirecting a page to the wrong destination jeopardizes the accumulated authority and relevance of the original page, potentially leading to a decline in search engine rankings for the redirected page. Google assigns “link authority” to individual URLs based on their current value, keyword rankings, and content. Suppose these pages are redirected to generic or mismatched destinations like the homepage. In that case, they may lose their authority, resulting in a decrease in the overall SEO performance of the site.
How to fix them
- Minimize redirect chains, where multiple redirects occur in succession before reaching the final destination.
- Audit Existing Redirects
7. Keyword stuffing
Keyword stuffing involves excessively and artificially repeating keywords across website content to manipulate search engine rankings. Major search engines such as Google penalize sites employing this tactic, as their algorithms are designed to detect and penalize such manipulative practices. Additionally, it undermines the credibility and trustworthiness of your website.
How to correct them:
- Focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience.
- Stay updated with SEO best practices
8. Lack of Local SEO
A considerable number of individuals utilize search engines to locate nearby businesses, products, and services. If your competitors are prioritizing local search optimization while you’re not, they have a higher probability of appearing ahead of you in local search results. For startups or small businesses undergoing SEO campaigns, embracing localized SEO services is crucial. This allows you to leverage the advantages it offers in enhancing brand recognition and visibility within your community.
How to fix it
- Create content that is relevant to your local audience, such as blog posts, articles, case studies, or guides that address local interests, events, or issues
- Online Reviews and Reputation Management
9. Not adding Alt text
One prevalent SEO error to steer clear of is neglecting to include alt text for images on your webpage. Alt text not only allows search engines to index images but also enhances content accessibility for users who rely on text-to-speech services to browse the internet.
How to fix it
- Add Descriptive Alt Text to each image
- Incorporate relevant keywords into alt text where appropriate, but avoid keyword stuffing
10. Blocking Google from indexing your pages
If Google has been unintentionally prevented from indexing your website or its pages, achieving rankings becomes unattainable. Without indexing, your pages are unable to appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords. Consequently, you forfeit chances to draw organic traffic and effectively compete with other websites in your field.
How to fix it
- Create and submit a sitemap of your website to search engines like Google and Bing.
- If you use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, review the settings to ensure that pages are not inadvertently set to discourage indexing by search engines.
Conclusion
SEO demands considerable effort, and maintaining awareness of its complexities can be daunting. Yet, consistent focus on essential elements like optimizing your website for mobile, incorporating alt text, and steering clear of keyword stuffing is crucial.
