As a digital team, we come across a lot of common mistakes that businesses make when it comes to search engine optimisation. Whilst it’s true that the world of SEO is constantly evolving, there are some mistakes that never go out of style. Here are the top five SEO mistakes to avoid in 2023:
Keyword Stuffing:
In the early days of SEO, it was common practice to stuff as many keywords as possible into website content and meta tags. This is no longer the case, and in fact, keyword stuffing can actually hurt your SEO efforts. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated enough to recognise when a website is trying to manipulate its search ranking, and keyword stuffing is a sure-fire way to raise a red flag. Instead of stuffing keywords, focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that naturally incorporates your target keywords.
Neglecting On-Page Optimisation:
On-page optimisation refers to the practice of optimising individual web pages. This is done in order to rank higher in the search results and earn more relevant traffic. This includes optimising page titles and meta descriptions, using header tags, and using alt tags for images. Neglecting on-page optimisation is a major mistake, as it can be the difference between a website that ranks on the first page of Google and one that languishes on page 10.
Ignoring User Experience
User experience, or UX, is becoming increasingly important for SEO. Google wants to deliver the best possible results to its users, and that means ranking websites that provide a good user experience higher in the search results. Factors that contribute to a good UX include fast loading times, a mobile-friendly design, and easy navigation. If your website doesn’t meet these criteria, it could be holding you back in the search results.
Not Keeping Up With Updates:
Google makes hundreds of updates to its algorithms each year, and it’s important to stay on top of these changes in order to maintain a strong search ranking. Ignoring updates or failing to adapt to them can result in a sudden drop in traffic and a decline in search visibility. Make sure to keep an eye on industry news and updates from Google in order to stay ahead of the game.
Skipping The Basics:
Finally, it’s important not to skip the basics when it comes to SEO. This includes things like setting up Google Analytics and Google Search Console, creating a sitemap, and submitting your website to directories. These may seem like small things, but they can make a big difference in your search ranking.
In conclusion, the world of SEO is always changing, but by avoiding these five mistakes, you can set yourself up for success in 2023 and beyond. If you’re not sure where to start with your SEO efforts get in touch to get started.