Common On-Page SEO Mistakes to Avoid
I get it — SEO can feel like a never-ending race, with new trends and shiny tools popping up every day. From AI-driven content strategies to the latest buzz about TikTok and voice search optimization, it’s easy to get distracted by all the new tech and lose sight of the basics. But here’s the thing: all those advanced SEO techniques won’t mean much if your on-page SEO isn’t solid.
Think of it as the foundation of a house. You can decorate it however you want, but if the foundation’s cracked, it’s going to collapse. That’s why, despite all the industry noise, getting your on-page optimization right is still one of the most critical steps you can take. It’s what ensures that search engines actually understand your content, and it’s what makes your site easier to navigate for users, which ultimately means more traffic, better rankings, and, yes, more conversions.
This guide is a no-nonsense, practical look at the common mistakes many founders — especially indie founders, solopreneurs, and solo webmasters — make when it comes to on-page SEO. Trust me, I’ve seen these mistakes cost people time, traffic, and revenue. And the worst part? These mistakes are often completely avoidable.
So, consider this a conversation between founders — real talk, no fluff. Whether you’re running your business solo or managing a small team, avoiding these on-page SEO pitfalls can make a world of difference. It’s not rocket science, but it does require a little attention to detail.
Common On-Page SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s dive into some of the key on-page SEO mistakes that are easy to overlook but can seriously impact your site's performance. These might seem like small details, but trust me, getting them right can make all the difference between a page that ranks well and one that gets buried. Here’s what you need to keep an eye on:
Ignoring Proper Meta Tags
The Mistake:
Many founders and webmasters either leave their meta titles and descriptions blank or don’t put much thought into them. Maybe you’re rushing to launch a page, or maybe you think search engines will just figure it out. Either way, missing or poorly written meta tags is one of the most common (and easily avoidable) SEO mistakes.
Why it Matters:
Meta titles and descriptions are often the very first impression your site makes. When someone searches for something related to your business, it’s the meta title and description that show up in the search results, and that can make or break whether they click through to your site. Not only that, but meta tags also help search engines understand what your page is about, which affects your rankings. A poorly optimized meta title could leave you ranking lower than you should be, while a generic or vague description could mean fewer clicks even if you rank high.
The Fix:
Write clear, concise meta titles that accurately describe what the page is about. Keep them between 50-60 characters to ensure they aren’t cut off in search results. For meta descriptions, aim for 120-155 characters and make them persuasive—this is your chance to “sell” your content to someone scanning through search results. Use keywords naturally in both, but don’t stuff them. The goal is to make the title and description helpful and appealing to users, not to cram as many keywords as possible.
Example:
Bad Meta Tag:
Title: "Cheap T-Shirts Buy T-Shirts Online Clothing"
Description: "Looking for t-shirts? We sell cheap t-shirts. Buy t-shirts online from us."
Good Meta Tag:
Title: "Affordable, High-Quality T-Shirts for Everyday Wear"
Description: "Shop a variety of comfortable and stylish t-shirts at great prices. Free shipping on orders over $50!"
See the difference? The second example not only looks more professional, but it’s also more likely to attract clicks because it provides a clear value proposition. The keyword "t-shirts" is still there, but it’s used naturally in a way that makes sense to both users and search engines.
Overlooking Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.)
The Mistake:
Headers are often an afterthought for a lot of site owners, but misusing or completely skipping proper header tags can confuse both users and search engines. Common mistakes include using multiple H1 tags on a page, not having any H1 tags, or skipping proper hierarchical structure altogether.
Why it Matters:
Headers aren’t just for making your content look pretty. They serve a critical function in organizing your page’s content. The H1 tag should tell both users and search engines what the page is primarily about. H2-H6 tags break up the content into sections and make it easier for users to read and digest. Search engines use this structure to better understand your content’s hierarchy and relevance. Without proper header usage, search engines may not know what’s most important on your page, and users could get lost trying to navigate your content.
The Fix:
Use one H1 tag per page—this should be your main headline and should clearly define the page topic. After that, break your content into logical sections using H2, H3, and lower-level headers. Make sure your header structure flows naturally and helps users and search engines easily follow the content’s hierarchy.
Example:
Bad Header Structure:
Multiple H1 tags used across different sections of the page.
Inconsistent use of H2 and H3 tags, with some sections lacking headers altogether.
Good Header Structure:
H1: “The Ultimate Guide to Digital Marketing”
H2: “Why Digital Marketing Matters”
H3: “The Importance of SEO in Digital Marketing”
H2: “Key Strategies for Digital Marketing Success”
H3: “Content Marketing Tips”
H3: “Social Media Best Practices”
This structure makes it easy for search engines to understand the content flow, and for users to skim and find the information they’re looking for.
Neglecting Image Alt Text
The Mistake:
A lot of site owners simply forget about image alt text, or worse, use irrelevant or lazy descriptions like “image1.jpg.” This not only misses out on a big opportunity for improving SEO but also makes your site less accessible.
Why it Matters:
Alt text is used to describe images for people who use screen readers, making your site more accessible to all users. It’s also important for SEO because search engines rely on alt text to understand what an image is about. Without proper alt text, search engines have no context for your images, and this could hurt your rankings—especially for image search. Plus, alt text is a great place to naturally include keywords that are relevant to the page content.
The Fix:
Write clear, descriptive alt text for each image that accurately describes what the image is and how it relates to the content on the page. Use keywords where they make sense, but don’t stuff them in. The goal is to describe the image in a way that’s useful for both search engines and users relying on screen readers.
Example:
Bad Alt Text:
"image1.jpg"
"shirt"
Good Alt Text:
"Blue cotton t-shirt with graphic design for casual wear"
"Infographic showing digital marketing strategies for small businesses"
In the second example, the alt text is not only descriptive but also includes keywords in a way that’s natural and helpful. The user knows exactly what the image is about, and search engines can better understand and rank the content.
Critical on-page mistakes
Now that we’ve covered some of the foundational mistakes like meta tags and header optimization, let’s dive into a few other critical areas of on-page SEO that can sometimes slip through the cracks. These may not be as flashy as the latest SEO trends, but ignoring them can seriously harm your site’s performance. Whether you’re handling your SEO yourself or working with a team, these are things you should keep an eye on:
Keyword Stuffing
Mistake:
Cramming keywords unnaturally into your content in an attempt to rank higher.
Why it Matters:
Search engines, like Google, penalize keyword stuffing, which not only hurts your rankings but also disrupts the flow of your content, making it less appealing to users.
Advice:
Use keywords naturally, and focus on answering user intent. It’s not about how many times you use a keyword but whether your content provides value.
Example:
Keyword Stuffed: "Buy cheap t-shirts online, cheap t-shirts available in many sizes, cheap t-shirts here now."
Optimized: "Explore our collection of affordable t-shirts, available in a variety of sizes and styles."
Not Optimizing for Mobile
Mistake:
Neglecting to ensure your website is mobile-friendly.
Why it Matters:
With Google’s mobile-first indexing, if your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’ll struggle to rank. Users expect a seamless experience, and if your site isn’t mobile-responsive, you risk losing traffic.
Advice:
Use responsive design, make sure your text is readable without zooming, and test your site on multiple devices.
Example:
A non-mobile-friendly site where users have to zoom and scroll horizontally vs. a responsive design where the content automatically adjusts to fit the screen.
Ignoring Site Speed
Mistake:
Overloading your site with heavy images, uncompressed files, and too many scripts, which slow down your load times.
Why it Matters:
Site speed is crucial for both SEO and user experience. Slow sites frustrate visitors, increase bounce rates, and can negatively impact your rankings.
Advice:
Compress images, use browser caching, and minimize JavaScript and CSS. A faster site means happier users and better SEO.
Example:
A site that takes 5+ seconds to load due to large images vs. an optimized site that loads in under 2 seconds after compression and caching.
Forgetting Internal Links
Mistake:
Missing out on adding internal links between your pages.
Why it Matters:
Internal links guide users through your content and help distribute page authority, improving SEO and user engagement.
Advice:
Place internal links to important pages within your content, ensuring the anchor text is relevant and fits naturally.
Example:
A page without any internal links vs. a page with strategically placed internal links leading to related articles or products.
Not Updating Content Regularly
Mistake:
Letting your content become outdated without making revisions.
Why it Matters:
Search engines prioritize fresh content, and regularly updating your site signals that it’s still active and relevant.
Advice:
Review older blog posts, update product pages, and add new insights or data regularly to keep content fresh.
Example:
A stagnant blog post from 2018 with outdated info vs. an updated version with current data and examples, boosting both SEO and user engagement.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Consistent
In 2024, Google’s mobile-first indexing means that your mobile site is effectively your primary site in the eyes of search engines. If your website doesn’t load quickly and isn’t easy to use on mobile devices, you’re losing out on rankings and users. Users expect fast, seamless experiences on mobile, and if your site fails to deliver that, they'll bounce.
Internal linking is one of the most overlooked yet powerful SEO tactics. It’s not just about navigation; it’s about strategically distributing page authority across your site, helping both users and search engines discover your most important content. Every new page or blog post is an opportunity to create more internal links that guide users deeper into your site.
But that’s not all. Maintaining your content is equally critical. Outdated content not only loses relevance but also signals to search engines that your site might not be up-to-date or credible. Regularly refreshing content with new data, insights, and links helps keep it relevant and valuable, which can boost your SEO and user engagement.
SEO isn’t a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing process that requires regular check-ins and updates. Trends change, algorithms evolve, and your site grows. That’s why it’s essential to regularly audit your site’s SEO performance. This doesn’t mean you need to make huge changes every month, but setting aside time to review the fundamentals will keep you ahead of competitors who may be ignoring them.
Whether it's checking for duplicate content, optimizing underperforming pages, or refreshing old blog posts, ongoing maintenance will ensure your SEO remains in good shape.
Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. You won’t see dramatic results overnight, but by consistently focusing on the fundamentals, you’ll build a solid foundation for long-term success. While SEO can seem overwhelming, especially with the constant influx of new trends and tools, it’s the simple, consistent efforts that pay off the most.
Prioritize user experience, and the rankings will follow. If users find your site easy to navigate, quick to load, and full of useful, up-to-date content, you’re already on the right path.
Avoid the common on-page mistakes we’ve discussed, stay consistent with your efforts, and regularly audit your site to keep it in peak condition. Do that, and your SEO will remain strong in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
You’ve got this. Keep pushing forward, and the results will come.