Tired of creating content that doesn't rank or convert? The problem could be the result of a simple - and easily avoidable - issue with your post's SEO.
Considering that over 67% of all clicks go to the top five organic search engine results, ranking high is critical to successfully converting your readers to your content.
Even if you implement a solid content strategy, common SEO mistakes (such as long title tags or unoptimized URL slugs) may be what ultimately prevent your content from reaching new heights in the SERPs.
Here at Grow Easy Digital Agency, it's no surprise when a client starts ranking #1 after six months. When it comes to search engine optimization problems, we've seen it all and offer industry-tested solutions that generate lasting results. We've worked with dozens of clients and here are the most common SEO mistakes we see when they first arrive:
- Duplicate content
- Keyword stuffing
- Lack of mobile optimization
- Slow site speed
- Long title tags
- Missed linking opportunities
- Generic anchor text
- Lack of local SEO
- Forgot to add alternative text
- Unoptimized URL slug
1. Duplicate content
Posting similar or identical content that aims to satisfy the same user intent can confuse search engines like Google and ultimately reduce your page's visibility. Duplicate content is especially dangerous if the original content originated outside of your organization. The algorithm may prefer the page that was published first, updated recently, or best conforms to E-E-A-T protocols.
How to fix it:
Use canonical tags to indicate the original version of the content, consolidate similar content into a single page, and ensure each page offers unique value to your audience.
SEO tip: If you have an e-commerce site with product descriptions sourced from manufacturers, rewrite them to be original, and consider adding value to them with useful information, such as customer reviews or testimonials.
2. Accumulate keywords
Unnatural keyword placements don't go unnoticed by search engines either. The algorithm may view awkward keyword usage as an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings and penalize you accordingly. Readers may also catch on to the inorganic rhetoric, resulting in less time exploring your site or coming down the funnel.
How to fix it:
Conduct thorough keyword research to find long-tail keywords adjacent to the primary term your page is trying to rank for. Choose a handful of the most relevant long tail keywords, keeping attributes like search volume and keyword difficulty top of mind, and sprinkle them into the copy no more than two or three times each.
SEO tip: When writing a blog post, place your target keyword in the title, introduction, and conclusion, and only place it where it sounds most natural in the rest of the text.
3. Lack of mobile optimization
One of the biggest SEO mistakes is forgetting that users often consume your content on their mobile devices. To maintain a top-notch user experience, it's more important than ever that your content is easily accessible in any format. While it may take more grease to create a seamless transition from desktop to mobile, your rankings will thank you for it.
How to fix it:
Follow blog design best practices by integrating responsive web design into your blog layout. This approach can reduce the time it takes to manually adjust your site to the specifications of mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. An experienced agency with top-notch web design services can also help.
SEO tip: Create mobile-friendly versions of interactive content and design assets so they read well on smaller screens and are equally enjoyable in portrait mode.
4. Slow site speed
Think about the frustration you experience while waiting for a page to load. Now imagine a potential customer feeling the same way about your slow site speed. When your website takes too long to load, users are more likely to abandon the page, leading to higher bounce rates and reduced conversions.
How to fix it:
Consider what might be contributing to your website's slow load time. Potential solutions include mitigating CSS and JavaScript files, enabling browser caching, and changing website hosts. If you're struggling to identify the root cause of SEO errors like this, set up an SEO technical consultation to determine the problem.
SEO tip: If your blog page includes too many visual elements, compress large image files to reduce their size and improve page load time.
5. Long header tags
Learning how to write a short title tag is both an art and a science. Title tags that are too long can be cut off in search results, reducing their effectiveness in conveying the relevance of your content to the user. It's also a good idea to include the name of your business or website in the title tag to increase brand awareness.
How to fix it:
Keep title tags short (around 50-60 characters) while accurately describing the content and including relevant keywords. Decide whether your tags will be in all caps headline or in all caps sentences and keep consistent with formatting.
SEO tip: Instead of "Best Marathon Training Sneakers - Best Picks for Serious Runners," include your brand name and shorten it to "Best Picks: Best Running Sneakers."
6. Missed linking opportunities
Another one of the most common SEO problems is not including a comprehensive, organic link building strategy. Internal linking signals Google that you're posting important pages on your site and can help it rank faster.
Neglecting internal and external links can limit the ability of search engine robots to find and index your content, reducing your website's overall authority.
How to fix it:
Include relevant internal links to other pages on your website and external links to reputable sources when appropriate. Hiring qualified link builders is a foolproof way to expand your backlink profile. Encouraging passive link building is also possible by prioritizing sharing strategies during the content creation phase.
SEO tip: In a blog post about fintech app trends, link internally to articles discussing finance, technology, and recent app development innovations.
7. A common anchor text
Don't let SEO issues like boring anchor text prevent you from ranking. Using generic anchor text like "click here" or "read more" instead of descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text that generates organic links can reduce the SEO value of the link.
How to fix it:
Consider the intent behind the page you're linking to, and let that determine the anchor text. Use descriptive text that provides a deeper understanding of the article's topic and, if possible, include relevant keywords.
SEO tip: Instead of simple anchor text like "website tips", try something more descriptive like "actionable SEO tips".
8. Lack of local SEO
If you're running SEO campaigns for startups or small businesses, it's imperative to take advantage of localized SEO services to improve brand recognition and visibility in the community you serve. Skipping this step means your target audience may not know who you are, how you can solve their problem, or where they can access your services.
How to fix it:
Include location-specific keywords in page titles, meta descriptions, and content to target local search queries. Encourage customer reviews and add your brand name to relevant directories like Google Maps.
SEO tip: Instead of citing your business as a "good bed and breakfast" on your website, try "Atlanta's best bed and breakfast" and mention your proximity to the local botanical garden and airport.
9. Forget to add alternative text
One of the most common SEO mistakes to avoid is forgetting to add alternative text to your page images. Not only can search engines crawl alternative text, but it also serves as a means to increase the accessibility of your content for users who need a text-to-speech service to navigate the web.
How to fix it:
Provide descriptive alternative text for images that accurately describes their content and include long-tail keywords where appropriate. A great way to ensure alternative text always comes first is to partner with an agency that prioritizes the experience of all users in your content strategy.
SEO tip: For an image of a red bicycle, use alternative text such as "A man rides a red bicycle on a sunny day, riding along a country road."
10. An unoptimized URL slug
The last of the most common technical SEO problems is hiding in plain sight. The URL slug is the last part of the URL and serves as the address for a specific page. Using long, vague or non-descriptive slugs can confuse users and search engines - making it harder to understand the relevance of content when determining rankings.
How to fix it:
Create short but descriptive slugs. Ideally, your slug URL will be the same as your target keyword so that a search engine can quickly understand what the page is trying to rank for.
SEO tip: Instead of a URL like "website.com/p=123," try "website.com/blog/seo/seo-best-practices" for an SEO tips page.
GOOGLE: LINKS ARE NO LONGER A RANKING SIGNAL IN THE TOP THREE PLACES