Search engines remain a dominant method for finding answers to our queries. As such, building an online presence for your business in Australia, particularly one that will rank well on search engine results pages (SERPs), is a must.
WordPress is a popular choice for many due to its flexibility, user-friendly interface, powerful features, and affordable pricing tiers. And yet, even the best platform can’t save you from common SEO mistakes.
To help you avoid any bumps in the road during your online development, our experts at Digital Eagles have compiled some of the top WordPress SEO mistakes and how to avoid them.
Basic WordPress SEO & Web Design Mistakes to Avoid
Poor Keyword Research
Keyword research is the cornerstone of any SEO strategy. It helps you understand what your audience is searching for and how to tailor your content to meet those needs. Unfortunately, many website owners either neglect keyword research or do it poorly, making it one of the top SEO mistakes to avoid.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Not using relevant or long-tail keywords.
- Keyword stuffing (spamming your copy with keywords), which can lead to penalties from search engines.
- Ignoring local keywords, especially important for businesses targeting specific areas.
Actionable Advice:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush for thorough keyword research.
- Focus on long-tail keywords that match user intent.
- Include local keywords to attract nearby customers.
- Integrate keywords naturally into your content, meta descriptions, and titles.
Ignoring Meta Descriptions and Title Tags
Meta descriptions and title tags provide search engines with information about your pages. Neglecting these elements can result in poor search engine performance.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Using duplicate meta descriptions across multiple pages
- Missing title tags or using ineffective ones
- Not including keywords in meta descriptions and title tags
Actionable Advice:
- Write unique meta descriptions for each page, incorporating relevant keywords.
- Craft compelling title tags that include primary keywords.
- Keep meta descriptions under 156 characters and title tags under 60 characters.
Lack of Mobile Optimisation
With mobile traffic accounting for more than half of global web traffic, having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. In fact, Google has regularly stated that its algorithm prioritises mobile-friendly sites in its rankings to bolster user experience, so failing to build a responsive platform can prove one of the most detrimental WordPress problems.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Unresponsive design that doesn’t adapt to different screen sizes
- Slow mobile load times
Actionable Advice:
- Use responsive design to ensure your site looks good on all devices.
- Test your site’s mobile-friendliness with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
- Optimize images and use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve load times.
Neglecting Site Speed
Site speed impacts both SEO and user experience. A slow site can lead to higher bounce rates and lower search rankings.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Large, unoptimised images
- Excessive use of plugins
- Slow hosting services
Actionable Advice:
- Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel.
- Limit the number of plugins you use and ensure they are high-quality.
- Consider upgrading to a faster hosting provider.
Duplicate Content
One of the most common e-commerce SEO mistakes, duplicate content often impacts stores with a vast number of product descriptions and category pages. Having the same information across different destinations on your wider website can confuse search engines and dilute your site’s authority.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Using manufacturer descriptions for products without modification
- Having multiple URLs for the same product
Actionable Advice:
- Write unique product descriptions that provide value to your customers.
- Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page to search engines.
Ignoring Image Optimisation
Images are vital for e-commerce sites but can hinder SEO if not optimised correctly.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Missing alt text, which helps search engines understand what an image is about
- Large image files that slow down your site
Actionable Advice:
- Always include descriptive alt text for your images.
- Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without losing quality.
- Consider using a CDN to improve image load times.
Not Using Analytics
Analytics are essential for tracking your SEO efforts and making informed decisions. Without them, you’re flying blind.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Not setting up Google Analytics or similar tools
- Ignoring the data and not using it to improve your SEO strategy
Actionable Advice:
- Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your site’s performance.
- Regularly review key metrics like organic traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rates.
- Use the data to refine your SEO strategies continuously.
Overlooking Internal Linking
Internal linking helps search engines understand the structure of your site and can improve SEO by distributing link equity across your pages.
Common SEO Mistakes:
- Not using internal links effectively
- Having broken internal links
Actionable Advice:
- Include internal links in your content to relevant pages.
- Regularly check for and fix broken links using tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog.
Overcome Your WordPress Problems with Digital Eagles
Avoiding these common WordPress SEO mistakes can significantly improve your site’s search engine performance and user experience. By following the actionable advice provided, you can build a strong online presence for your business in Australia.
For professional assistance with your SEO strategy, contact our friendly team at Digital Eagles and let our experts help you soar to new heights.
