So you’ve launched a website. You’ve read a few blog posts about keywords. You’ve even installed a plugin or two. You’re doing SEO — right?
Well… maybe. The truth is, SEO is like gardening. Easy to start, but if you water the weeds or plant in the wrong season, nothing grows.
Here are five common (and weirdly easy to make) SEO mistakes beginners fall into — and how to fix them before your site gets lost in Google’s black hole.
1. Writing for Robots Instead of Real People
You stuff the page with keywords. You mention “best budget blender 2024” seven times. Your headline is technically optimized… and completely unreadable.
Why it’s a mistake: Google’s algorithm gets smarter every year. It wants content that answers real questions and holds attention — not robotic keyword salad.
What to do instead: Write like a helpful human. Sprinkle keywords naturally. Focus on clarity and usefulness. If it sounds awkward when you read it out loud, it’s probably wrong.
2. Ignoring Page Speed Like It Doesn’t Matter
“My site looks great — who cares if it takes 5 seconds to load?”
Why it’s a mistake: People care. A slow site kills patience, especially on mobile. Google also ranks faster sites higher.
What to do instead: Compress images. Use a lightweight theme. Fast is friendly.
3. Forgetting to Link (To Yourself)
You write 10 great blog posts… and none of them connect to each other.
Why it’s a mistake: Internal links help Google understand your site structure. They keep people clicking. And they show that you’ve built a mini-network of value.
What to do instead: Link from older posts to newer ones (and vice versa). Use anchor text that makes sense. Think of your site as a spiderweb — not a row of isolated pages.
4. Chasing High-Volume Keywords Like Everyone Else
You’re going after “best fitness tips” or “cheap flights” with a brand new site? Good luck — you’re up against giants.
Why it’s a mistake: Big keywords are tempting, but they’re ultra-competitive. Beginners burn out trying to rank where they can’t yet win.
What to do instead: Go niche. Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “morning stretches for desk workers”). Less traffic — but way more chance to rank and convert.
5. Believing That SEO Is a One-Time Task
You optimized your site once and now you’re waiting for Google to crown you king.
Why it’s a mistake: SEO is ongoing. Algorithms change. Competitors update. Content decays.
What to do instead: Treat it like a habit, not a project. Update content. Watch analytics. Stay curious.
Final Thought
SEO isn’t magic, but it also isn’t mechanical. It’s part strategy, part psychology, and part patience. And when you stop treating it like a checklist — and start treating it like a conversation with real people — that’s when the real results start showing up.
Your website doesn’t need tricks. It needs trust. Build that, and Google will follow.
Picture Credit: Freepik