Why Your Client’s Website Isn’t Ranking – 7 SEO Mistakes to Avoid

7 SEO Mistakes to Avoid

 Is your client’s website not ranking, even though it feels like you’ve tried everything? Often, the problem lies in avoidable mistakes. 

Here are seven key reasons why your client’s website may not be performing – and how to fix them, with tips from our white label SEO team.

 1. Ignoring Keyword Research

Keyword research forms the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. Without it, you’re shooting in the dark. Many websites fail to rank because they target irrelevant or overly competitive keywords. For instance, a small local bakery might struggle to rank for “best bakery in the world” but could perform well with “best cupcakes in Montreal”.

Modern keyword research tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush help identify search terms with high intent, low competition, and relevance to your client’s business. Ensure you analyze search volume, competition, and user intent to create a targeted list of keywords that align with your client’s goals.

2. Using Outdated SEO Tactics

The SEO landscape evolves constantly, and tactics that worked a decade ago (or even a year ago!) may now harm your rankings. Techniques like keyword stuffing, private blog networks (PBNs), and excessive link exchanges have long been penalized by search engines. If your client’s site still relies on these outdated methods, it’s time for a revamp.

Focus instead on user-focused strategies: create value-driven content, earn backlinks through quality and relevance, and prioritize technical SEO. Staying updated with algorithm changes, like Google’s Helpful Content update, ensures your efforts align with current best practices.

3. Lack of Quality Content

Content remains king in the SEO world. Thin or duplicate content can lead to penalties, while high-quality, engaging content helps build authority. A poorly ranked site often lacks depth or fails to answer users’ questions effectively.

For example, a client in the fitness niche might struggle if their site simply lists services without providing value through blogs, videos, or guides. Create comprehensive content tailored to user intent – like a blog post explaining “5 Simple At-Home Workouts” for a gym website. Search engines reward pages that meet readers’ needs with informative, engaging material.

4. Forgetting On-Page SEO Optimization

Overlooking on-page SEO can derail even the best content strategy. Without properly optimized titles, meta descriptions, and headers, search engines struggle to understand your content. For instance, a blog titled “Our Products” lacks context compared to “Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Homes.”

Each page should have a unique, keyword-rich meta title and description that accurately reflects its content. Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to organize information logically, and don’t forget to optimize images with descriptive alt text to enhance accessibility and ranking potential.

 

This Will Make Copywriting Easier!

When you combine internal and external resources, you can scale up or down quickly as and when you need it. Watch us discuss this strategy with Suellen Hughes of Amica Digital.

 

5. Slow Page Load Speed

Page speed is a crucial ranking factor and directly impacts the user experience. A sluggish website frustrates visitors and signals to search engines that your site may not provide value. If your client’s site takes over three seconds to load, it’s likely losing potential traffic.

Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to diagnose issues. Common culprits include uncompressed images, excessive JavaScript, and outdated hosting solutions. Simple fixes, like enabling browser caching and optimizing images, can make a significant difference.

6. Not Optimizing for Mobile

With mobile devices accounting for the majority of web traffic, failing to optimize for mobile is a costly mistake. A non-responsive design or poorly structured mobile experience alienates users and leads to lower rankings. Google’s mobile-first indexing prioritizes mobile-friendly websites, making this issue even more critical.

Ensure your client’s site uses a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes. Try to test the mobile experience by navigating the site yourself, checking for easy navigation, readable fonts, and properly functioning buttons.

7. Broken Links

Broken links not only frustrate users but also harm SEO by signaling that your site isn’t well-maintained. Search engines interpret these errors as a sign of neglect, leading to lower rankings.

Try to make time to conduct regular audits using tools like Screaming Frog to identify and fix broken links. Replace outdated links with updated ones or create 301 redirects to maintain link equity. For example, if an old product page no longer exists, redirect it to a relevant alternative.

By making sure you pay attention to these common mistakes, you should automatically improve your client’s SEO ranking. If you need help, our white label SEO team has experience across all kinds of industries. Take a look at how we can help your clients on behalf of your agency here.

Get your $1000 voucher now and try out our services - no strings attached!

Recent Posts