Getting your website to rank well in search engines can feel like a puzzle, especially when SEO issues hold you back from reaching the top. From slow loading speeds and broken links to outdated keywords, common SEO problems can affect your site’s visibility, traffic, and overall performance. The good news? Many of these issues are easily identifiable and fixable! In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most common website SEO problems and provide practical solutions to help you boost your rankings and improve user experience. Let’s dive in and get your website performing at its best!
10 Common SEO issues and how to fix them
Here are 10 common SEO issues and detailed solutions for fixing them to improve your website’s rankings and visibility.
1. Slow Page Loading Speed
Issue:
Slow page loading speed is a critical SEO issue that directly affects user experience and search engine rankings. When a website loads slowly, users are more likely to leave before it fully displays, leading to high bounce rates and lost potential sales or engagement. Additionally, Google considers page speed a ranking factor, meaning slow sites are less likely to rank well in search results.
How to fix it:
Optimize Images: Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim without sacrificing quality. Use the correct file formats (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics) and consider WebP for even smaller file sizes.
Minimize HTTP Requests: Reduce the number of elements on a page by combining files (like CSS or JavaScript), and eliminate unnecessary plugins and third-party scripts.
Enable Browser Caching: Set up browser caching to allow users to store frequently used resources locally, reducing load time on repeat visits.
Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML: Remove unnecessary characters, comments, and whitespace in code to reduce file size. Tools like UglifyJS and CSSNano can help with this process.
Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs distribute your website’s resources across multiple servers around the world, allowing users to load your site from a server closest to them, reducing latency.
Upgrade Hosting: If your site is hosted on a shared server and experiences high traffic, consider upgrading to a VPS or dedicated server for better performance.
Reduce Redirects: Each redirect creates additional HTTP requests, slowing down page load time. Limit redirects to the essentials to avoid delays.
Lazy Load Images: Only load images as they enter the user’s viewport rather than all at once. Lazy loading saves bandwidth and speeds up the initial page load.
2. Missing or Poor-Quality Meta Descriptions and Title Tags
Issue:
Missing or Poor-Quality Meta Descriptions and Title Tags are common SEO issues that can negatively impact your site’s visibility in search engine results and reduce click-through rates (CTR). Meta descriptions and title tags help search engines understand your page content and, importantly, provide the first impression of your page in search results. When these elements are missing, duplicated, or poorly optimized, your page may struggle to rank well and attract clicks.
How to Fix:
Create Unique Titles and Descriptions for Each Page: Craft distinct, keyword-optimized title tags (50–60 characters) and meta descriptions (150–160 characters) for every page. This helps search engines understand the purpose of each page and encourages users to click through.
Incorporate Primary Keywords Naturally: Use relevant keywords within both the title and meta description, preferably near the beginning. Avoid keyword stuffing, as this can appear spammy and harm CTR.
Write Compelling, Actionable Copy: Make your title tags and meta descriptions enticing by highlighting unique selling points, benefits, or solutions your page offers. Include a call-to-action (CTA) in the meta description, such as “Learn More” or “Shop Now,” to drive clicks.
Use Tools to Identify Missing or Duplicate Tags: SEO tools like Yoast (for WordPress), SEMrush, or Ahrefs can help you find missing, duplicate, or underperforming meta descriptions and titles. This enables you to quickly identify pages that need updates.
Optimize Length for Search Result Display: Keep title tags within 50–60 characters and meta descriptions within 150–160 characters to ensure they display fully in search results without being cut off.
Align Tags with User Intent: Ensure that the title and description align with the content of the page and the search intent. If a page is about “organic skincare products,” the title and meta description should reflect that, giving users confidence that they’re clicking on relevant content.
3. Non-Mobile-Friendly Design
Issue:
Non-Mobile-Friendly Design is a common SEO issue that can significantly impact your website’s rankings, user experience, and overall performance. As mobile usage continues to grow, search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites, so a site that isn’t optimized for mobile can suffer in search rankings and lose valuable traffic.
How to Fix:
Use Responsive Design: Implement a responsive design that automatically adjusts to fit various screen sizes and devices. Most modern website builders, including WordPress and Wix, offer responsive design templates, making this a straightforward solution.
Optimize Text Size and Button Placement: Make sure that text is easily readable on small screens by using legible font sizes (16px or larger is often recommended for mobile). Buttons should be large enough to tap comfortably, with sufficient spacing to prevent accidental clicks.
Compress Images and Media Files: Optimize all images and videos to load quickly on mobile devices. Use formats like WebP for images, and compress files with tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel to reduce load times without sacrificing quality.
Test for Mobile Usability: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to identify specific mobile issues on your site. This tool provides insights into problem areas, such as elements that are too close together or content that extends beyond the screen.
Streamline Navigation for Mobile: Simplify menus, avoid complex dropdowns, and ensure navigation is intuitive. A “hamburger” menu (three lines that expand into navigation options) is a common mobile-friendly option that saves space and improves usability.
Avoid Intrusive Pop-Ups: Pop-ups that cover the entire screen or are difficult to close can frustrate mobile users. If you must use pop-ups, make sure they’re easy to dismiss, small, and optimized for mobile screens to avoid user disruption.
Optimize Loading Speed: Mobile users are more likely to abandon slow-loading sites, so work on improving your site’s load times. Enable caching, minify CSS/JavaScript, and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve speed for mobile visitors.
4. Broken Links and 404 Errors
Issue: Broken Links and 404 Errors are common SEO issues that can negatively impact your website’s usability, user experience, and search engine rankings. Broken links are links that lead to non-existent pages, resulting in “404 Not Found” errors. These errors can disrupt user experience by preventing visitors from accessing the content they’re looking for, potentially leading them to leave your site. Additionally, broken links and 404 errors can waste link equity, making it harder for search engines to effectively crawl and index your website.
How to Fix:
Identify Broken Links: Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to find broken links and 404 errors on your website. These tools provide reports on broken internal and external links, making it easier to track down problematic URLs.
Set Up 301 Redirects: For pages that have been moved or deleted, implement 301 redirects to point old URLs to the new relevant pages. This ensures that users and search engines are directed to live content, preserving link equity and enhancing user experience.
Fix Misspelled URLs: Review each link to ensure URLs are spelled correctly. Manually correcting any errors will restore broken links and lead users to the correct destination.
Regularly Update External Links: Routinely check and update external links on your site. If an external link no longer works, find an alternative source, or remove the link altogether. Tools like Broken Link Checker can make this process easier by scanning your site for inactive external links.
Create a Custom 404 Page: Design a helpful 404 error page that guides users back to important areas of your website. Include a search bar, links to popular pages, or even an apology message to soften the impact of the error and encourage users to continue exploring your site.
Use Canonical Tags for Dynamic URLs: If you have frequently changing dynamic URLs, use canonical tags to specify the preferred version of a page. This helps prevent 404 errors and ensures search engines understand which URL to index.
Monitor Broken Links Regularly: Make link-checking a routine part of website maintenance. This allows you to catch broken links early and address them before they impact SEO and user experience.
5. Thin or Duplicate Content
Issue:
Thin or Duplicate Content is a common SEO issue that can significantly affect your website’s rankings and user experience. Thin content refers to pages with very little valuable information, such as short articles or pages with minimal text that offer little to no unique value to the user. Duplicate content, on the other hand, occurs when identical or very similar content appears on multiple pages, either within your own site or across different sites. Both types of content can confuse search engines, leading to lower rankings and reduced credibility.
How to Fix:
Create Unique, High-Value Content: Write original, informative content for each page. Aim for content that addresses users’ questions, provides insights, and offers unique value. For e-commerce pages, consider adding unique descriptions or user-generated content (like reviews) to avoid manufacturer-provided duplicates.
Use Canonical Tags: For duplicate content that cannot be eliminated (like pages with URL parameters), use canonical tags to specify the preferred version of a page. This tells search engines which version to index and prevents duplicate content issues.
Combine Similar Pages: If you have multiple pages targeting the same topic or keyword, consider merging them into a single, comprehensive page. This helps consolidate link equity and reduces duplicate content issues while offering a better user experience.
Noindex Thin or Duplicate Pages: For pages with little value (like tag pages, author pages, or filtered versions of content), add a noindex tag to prevent search engines from indexing them. This keeps them from affecting your site’s SEO.
Improve Thin Content with More Information: Add more detail to thin pages by including relevant keywords, images, videos, or FAQs. This enhances user engagement and provides search engines with more context, improving the page’s chances of ranking well.
Regularly Audit for Duplicate Content: Use tools like Copyscape, Siteliner, or SEMrush to identify duplicate content on your site. Routinely checking for duplicate content allows you to address any issues before they impact SEO.
Avoid Duplicate Meta Tags: Each page should have a unique title tag and meta description. Duplicate tags across pages can confuse search engines, so ensure each page has distinctive tags that reflect its content accurately.
6. Incorrect or Missing Alt Text for Images
Issue:
Incorrect or Missing Alt Text for Images is a common SEO issue that can hinder your website’s accessibility and limit your search engine visibility. Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is a descriptive attribute added to image HTML that provides context about the image’s content. It’s essential for helping search engines “see” and index images accurately and for improving accessibility for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers.
How to Fix:
Write Descriptive, Concise Alt Text: Keep alt text simple, clear, and descriptive. Describe the main subject of the image in a few words, capturing what the image conveys without unnecessary detail. For example, instead of "A beautiful sunset with colorful clouds over the mountains," use “Sunset over mountains.”
Include Relevant Keywords Naturally: If it makes sense within the description, include a keyword related to the image and the page content. However, avoid keyword stuffing. The goal is to keep it natural and relevant, like “organic skincare products on a marble table.”
Use Unique Alt Text for Each Image: Each image should have its own unique alt text, even if images are similar. This provides specific information about each image, helping search engines differentiate between them and improving SEO.
Avoid Repetition: Don’t use “image of…” or “picture of…” as these are unnecessary. Search engines and screen readers already recognize it as an image, so just describe the content directly.
Audit and Update Existing Alt Text: Use tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify images missing alt text on your site. Go through existing alt text and update any irrelevant or missing descriptions to make them useful and descriptive.
Add Alt Text to Decorative Images if Necessary: For purely decorative images (like background patterns or spacer graphics), you can use null alt text (alt="") or add meaningful alt text only when needed. Decorative images with null alt text are ignored by screen readers, which helps them focus on essential content.
Optimize Alt Text for Products: For e-commerce sites, alt text for product images should be specific, such as “Men’s blue leather wallet” or “Stainless steel water bottle with black lid.” This helps with product-specific searches and can drive more qualified traffic to your site.
7. Improper Use of Header Tags (H1, H2, H3)
Issue:
Improper Use of Header Tags (H1, H2, H3) is a common SEO and usability issue that can affect how both users and search engines understand your website’s content structure. Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) organize your content in a hierarchical format, making it easier for readers to scan information and for search engines to interpret page relevance and hierarchy. Misusing header tags can lead to a confusing layout, reduced readability, and missed SEO opportunities.
How to Fix:
Structure each page with a clear hierarchy: use one H1 tag for the main title, H2 for subheadings, and H3 for smaller sections. This improves readability and helps search engines understand the main topics on the page.Use a Single H1 Tag Per Page: Each page should have only one H1 tag, typically reserved for the page title or primary topic. The H1 should clearly represent what the page is about, including relevant keywords if appropriate. For example, on a blog post, the title of the post itself is usually the H1.
Create a Logical Header Hierarchy: Organize your content hierarchically with H1, followed by H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections within H2s, and so on. This structure ensures a natural flow that’s easy for users to follow and for search engines to interpret. For instance:
H1: Best Hiking Gear for Beginners
H2: Essential Hiking Gear
H3: Backpacks
H3: Footwear
H2: Optional Hiking Gear
H3: Trekking Poles
H3: GPS Devices
Ensure Each Header Adds Value: Use headers only when they add structure or help segment the content. Avoid headers for mere styling purposes. If you need to style text, consider using CSS instead of header tags, as this keeps your HTML code cleaner and more accessible.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing in Headers: Write headers naturally to reflect the content of each section. While it’s okay to include keywords, they should appear naturally without overwhelming the header. For example, instead of “Best Hiking Backpacks for Hiking on Hiking Trails,” use “Best Hiking Backpacks for Trails.”
Review Header Usage with SEO Tools: Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to audit your header structure. These tools can highlight pages with missing H1s, multiple H1s, or headers used out of sequence, helping you correct issues efficiently.
Make Headers Descriptive and Concise: Headers should clearly communicate the topic of each section. A well-crafted header provides context without being too lengthy. This is helpful for users and improves readability, keeping them engaged with your content.
Test for Accessibility: Screen readers rely on a clear header hierarchy to help visually impaired users navigate. Use tools like WAVE or Axe Accessibility Checker to verify that your headers are properly structured and accessible to all users.
8. Lack of SSL Certificate
Issue:
Lack of an SSL Certificate is a common website security and SEO issue that can negatively impact search rankings, user trust, and conversion rates. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data exchanged between a user’s browser and your website, ensuring sensitive information, like login details and payment data, remains secure. Without an SSL certificate, your site will display “http://” instead of “https://” and may show as “Not Secure” in browsers, which can deter visitors and harm your credibility.
How to Fix:
Obtain an SSL Certificate: Contact your hosting provider or a certificate authority (such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, or DigiCert) to purchase and install an SSL certificate. Some hosting providers offer free SSL certificates or tools to simplify installation.
Enable HTTPS Site-Wide: After installing SSL, ensure that every page on your site loads over HTTPS. This includes subdomains, media files, and any content that users interact with. Check your site for HTTP links that may still be accessible.
Implement 301 Redirects from HTTP to HTTPS: Set up 301 redirects to automatically send users from HTTP to HTTPS versions of your pages. This maintains a consistent, secure experience and ensures that search engines index the HTTPS versions. Most hosting providers or CMS platforms have options to enforce HTTPS site-wide.
Fix Mixed Content Issues: Use tools like Why No Padlock or Chrome’s Developer Console to identify mixed content (HTTP elements on HTTPS pages). Update any remaining HTTP links in CSS, JavaScript, images, or other resources to HTTPS to ensure complete security.
Monitor SSL Expiration Dates: SSL certificates need to be renewed periodically (typically every 1 to 2 years). Set reminders for renewal to avoid expiration, or, if available, set up auto-renewal through your SSL provider to maintain uninterrupted security.
Verify SSL Configuration with SEO Tools: Use tools like SSL Checker, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to verify that your SSL certificate is correctly configured and your entire site loads securely over HTTPS. This can help detect any missed pages or resources that may still be unsecured.
Test for User Experience and Trust Signals: Check that your site displays the secure “https://” in the URL bar along with a padlock symbol or similar trust icon. This reassures visitors that your site is secure and that they can safely browse, share information, or complete transactions.
9. No Structured Data or Schema Markup
Issue:
No Structured Data or Schema Markup is a common SEO oversight that can limit your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and reduce its appeal to users. Structured data, also known as schema markup, is a way of organizing and labeling content on your website using a specific vocabulary (Schema.org) that helps search engines understand it more effectively. By implementing structured data, you can enhance search results with rich snippets, such as star ratings, product prices, event details, or FAQ sections, making your site more informative and attractive to users.
How to Fix:
Identify Content Types for Markup: Determine which schema types are relevant for your website, such as Product, FAQ, or Review schema. Focus on adding structured data to key pages like product pages, service descriptions, blog posts, or events.
Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper: Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper is a beginner-friendly tool that helps you add structured data without coding expertise. It allows you to tag page elements directly and generates the code needed for implementation.
Implement Schema Markup Using JSON-LD: JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) is Google’s recommended format for structured data, as it’s easy to add and keeps your HTML clean. You can embed JSON-LD code directly in the HTML of each page, or use plugins if you’re on a platform like WordPress.
Use Plugins for CMS Platforms: If you’re using WordPress or another CMS, plugins like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or Schema Pro can simplify schema implementation. These plugins allow you to select schema types and automatically apply them to relevant pages.
Test Markup with Google’s Rich Results Test: After implementing structured data, use Google’s Rich Results Test to verify that your markup is working correctly. This tool will show you any errors in your schema code and display how your rich snippet will look in SERPs.
Monitor Schema Performance in Google Search Console: Google Search Console provides insights into the performance of your structured data. Use the Enhancements report to track schema performance, fix any detected issues, and monitor how rich snippets impact your CTR.
Stay Updated on Schema Types: Schema.org frequently updates and expands schema options. Staying informed on new schema types can help you continuously improve your site’s SERP appearance and take advantage of newly supported rich snippets.
10. Poor Internal Linking Structure
Issue:
Poor Internal Linking Structure is a common SEO and usability issue that can negatively impact your website’s performance, making it difficult for both users and search engines to navigate and understand your content. Internal linking refers to the practice of linking from one page on your website to another, creating a structure that organizes your site’s information and helps guide users to relevant content. When the internal linking structure is poor, important pages may go undiscovered, your site’s authority may not be evenly distributed, and both user engagement and SEO rankings can suffer.
How to Fix:
Identify Key Pages and Create a Hierarchy: Determine which pages are most important for your SEO goals, such as product pages, service pages, or high-value blog posts. Organize your site so these key pages are no more than two to three clicks from the homepage, establishing a clear hierarchy for search engines and users.
Use Relevant Anchor Text: Choose descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text that accurately describes the linked page’s content. For example, instead of using “click here,” use text like “explore our organic skincare collection.” This helps search engines understand the topic of the linked page, improving its chances of ranking for relevant queries.
Add Contextual Links to Relevant Pages: Incorporate internal links within your content that lead to related pages. For example, if you’re writing a blog post on “Best Hiking Gear,” link to your product pages for backpacks, footwear, or trekking poles. Contextual links improve user navigation and enhance SEO by connecting relevant content.
Ensure No Orphan Pages: Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to identify orphan pages (pages without incoming links) on your site. Link to these pages from relevant pages within your site to ensure they are accessible to users and search engines.
Create Hub Pages or Content Clusters: Organize your content into clusters, with a central hub page linking to related sub-pages. For example, a main page on “Digital Marketing” could link to sub-pages on SEO, content marketing, and social media. This structure improves topic relevance and SEO by organizing related content around a central theme.
Add Breadcrumbs for Better Navigation: Breadcrumbs are navigation aids that show users the path they took to reach a page (e.g., Home > Blog > SEO Tips). Breadcrumbs improve user experience by making it easy for visitors to retrace their steps, and they help search engines understand the structure of your site.
Link to High-Value Pages from the Homepage: For pages that are essential to your site, like core services or popular blog posts, add links from the homepage or main navigation. This gives these pages additional link equity, helping them rank higher in search results.
Regularly Audit Internal Links: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to perform regular internal link audits, checking for broken links, irrelevant links, and opportunities to add new links. Regular audits help maintain a healthy link structure and ensure users and search engines can find valuable content.
By addressing these common SEO issues, you can significantly improve your website’s performance in search results, boost traffic, and create a better user experience. Regularly monitoring and optimizing your site ensures it stays competitive, up-to-date, and search-friendly.
Get your SEO issues solved today
Ready to tackle those SEO issues and boost your website’s performance? From fixing broken links and improving loading speed to optimizing your internal linking structure, a well-tuned SEO strategy can make all the difference in driving traffic and enhancing user experience.
At Adicator, we specialize in identifying and solving SEO challenges to get your site ranking higher and performing better. Let’s work together to make sure your website is in top shape! Reach out to Adicator today, and we’ll help you turn those SEO roadblocks into opportunities for growth.
FAQ:
Here are five FAQs on "Most Common Issues in Website SEO and How to Fix Them":
1. What are some of the most common SEO issues that can impact my website’s rankings?
Common SEO issues include slow page loading speed, missing or poorly optimized meta tags, non-mobile-friendly design, broken links and 404 errors, thin or duplicate content, lack of SSL certification, and poor internal linking structure. Each of these issues can hinder search engine visibility and reduce user engagement if not addressed.
2. How does page loading speed affect SEO, and how can I improve it?
Slow loading speeds can lead to higher bounce rates and lower user engagement, both of which negatively impact SEO rankings. You can improve page speed by compressing images, minifying CSS and JavaScript, enabling browser caching, and using a content delivery network (CDN) to distribute resources efficiently.
3. Why is mobile-friendliness important for SEO, and what can I do to make my site mobile-friendly?
Google’s mobile-first indexing means it primarily uses the mobile version of your website for ranking. A non-mobile-friendly site can harm your SEO and drive away mobile users. To make your site mobile-friendly, use responsive design, optimize images, and ensure text, buttons, and navigation are easy to interact with on smaller screens.
4. What is the purpose of an SSL certificate, and why does my website need one?
An SSL certificate encrypts data between the server and user, ensuring secure data transmission. It’s a minor ranking factor for Google, but more importantly, it builds trust with users. To add SSL, you can obtain a certificate from your hosting provider or a certificate authority and install it to secure your website.
5. How can I fix broken links and 404 errors on my website?
Broken links and 404 errors disrupt the user experience and can impact SEO. To fix them, regularly audit your site using tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog, set up 301 redirects for outdated pages, and correct any internal links leading to non-existent pages. Custom 404 pages with links to key content can also improve user retention when errors do occur.