7 SEO Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any website or online business that wants to be visible and accessible to its target audience. However, even the most experienced SEO experts can make mistakes that negatively affect a website’s ranking and visibility. 

In this article, we will explore some common SEO mistakes and provide tips on how to fix them. Keep these tips in mind during discussions with your provider of web design in Geelong. 

Mistake #1: Ignoring Keyword Research

Keyword research is the base of every SEO strategy. It means identifying the words and phrases people use to search for goods or services. And your focus is on the phrases related to your business.  

Some SEO services in Geelong ignore keyword research and rely on their own assumptions about what people are searching for. It can lead to targeting the wrong keywords, resulting in low search engine rankings and low traffic.

Solution:

• To fix this mistake, start by conducting thorough keyword research. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to identify relevant and high-volume keywords. 
• Focus on long-tail keywords that are specific to your business and have less competition. Use these keywords throughout your website, including in your content, title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs.

Mistake #2: Poor Website Structure and Navigation

A well-structured website with easy-to-navigate pages is essential for good SEO in Geelong. Websites with poor navigation can confuse search engines, resulting in low rankings and poor user experience. Some common website structure mistakes include using too many subfolders, not using descriptive URLs, and having duplicate content.

Solution:

• Start by organising your website’s content into a clear hierarchy. Use descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords. Most importantly, ensure that each page has unique content and meta tags. 
• Use internal linking to guide users through your website and ensure your site is mobile-friendly.

Mistake #3: Poor Quality Content

High-quality content is crucial for SEO. Websites with low-quality content, including thin, duplicate, or irrelevant content, can suffer from poor search engine rankings and low traffic. Some rookie mistakes of SEO services in Geelong are prioritising quantity over quality, resulting in repetitive, poorly researched, or overly promotional content.

Solution:

• You can fix this mistake by creating high-quality, relevant, and informative content. Conduct thorough research on your topic, and make sure your content is unique and adds value to your audience. 
• Use relevant keywords all over your content, but steer clear of keyword stuffing. Optimise your content for readability, including headings, subheadings, and bullet points. 
• Finally, update your content regularly to keep it fresh and relevant.

Mistake #4: Neglecting On-page Optimization

On-page optimisation is optimising individual pages of your website to improve their search engine rankings. Neglecting on-page optimisation is a common mistake that can result in poor search engine rankings and low traffic. Some common mistakes in this area include not optimising title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags and not using alt tags for images.

Solution:

• Optimising your title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags is vital. Use relevant keywords and keep your titles and descriptions concise and informative. 
• Use header tags to structure your content, and include alt tags for images to improve their accessibility and search engine rankings.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Link Building

Link building means linking other websites to yours. It is an essential part of SEO, as it signals to search engines that your website is reputable and authoritative. Some websites ignore link building, which results in low search engine rankings and low traffic.

Solution:

• To fix this mistake, start by creating high-quality content that is shareable and link-worthy. Connect with other websites in your niche and request for backlinks to your website. You can also use social media to promote your content and increase its visibility. 
• Monitor your website’s backlink profile and disavow any low-quality or spammy backlinks that may negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings.

Mistake #6: Neglecting Local SEO

Local SEO is the process of optimising your website to appear in local search results. Neglecting local SEO is a common mistake that can result in low visibility for businesses that rely on local customers. Some common local SEO mistakes include not optimizing your Google My Business listing, not including local keywords in your content, and not building local citations.

Solution:

• To fix this mistake, create and optimise your Google My Business listing. It includes adding accurate and up-to-date information about your business, including your address, phone number, and hours of operation. 
• Use local keywords throughout your website and content, and build local citations by getting your business listed in local directories.

Mistake #7: Not Monitoring Your Website’s Performance

Monitoring your website’s performance is essential for identifying and fixing SEO mistakes. Neglecting to monitor their website’s performance is a serious SEO mistake which results in missed opportunities to improve their search engine rankings and traffic.

Solution:

• Start by setting up and monitoring your website’s analytics. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s traffic, user behaviour, and search engine rankings. 
• Use this data to identify improvement areas and make required changes to your SEO strategy and website.

Final Say

Avoiding these 7 common SEO mistakes can help you improve your website’s search engine rankings and visibility. By rectifying these mistakes, you can ensure your website is fully optimised for search engines. As a bonus, it also provides a positive user experience for your audience.

SEO is a deep subject and a long battle. Hence, you must hire a strong professional to navigate all the issues successfully. 

Make My Website has rave reviews about its SEO expertise and reliability. So, feel free to reach out to MMW for any help you need with your website’s SEO.