You've been working on SEO for months. Maybe you hired someone or tried doing it yourself. Either way, the traffic isn't coming and you're wondering what went wrong.

The good news? Most SEO problems have straightforward fixes. Let's walk through the most common issues that tank your rankings and how to get back on track.

1. You're Stuffing Keywords Like It's 2005

Here's the thing, repeating the same keyword 47 times doesn't work anymore. Google got smarter. Now it just looks spammy and hurts your chances of ranking.

The fix: Use your main keyword naturally 2-3 times in your content. Put it in your title, intro, and conclusion where it makes sense. Then focus on writing something people actually want to read. If you need help with a solid search engine optimization strategy, it's worth getting professional guidance.

2. Your Site Loads Like You're Still on Dial-Up

Page speed matters more than you think. If someone clicks your link and stares at a loading screen for 5 seconds, they're gone. Google knows this and ranks faster sites higher.

The fix: Compress your images before uploading them. Consider upgrading your hosting if you're on a cheap shared plan. A slow site doesn't just hurt SEO, it kills conversions too.

3. Your Mobile Site is a Disaster

Over half of web traffic comes from phones. If your site looks broken on mobile or takes forever to load, you're losing both visitors and rankings.

The fix: Make sure your site is fully responsive. Test it on actual phones, not just by shrinking your browser window. If your current web design isn't mobile-friendly, it's time for an update.

4. You're Targeting the Wrong Keywords

You might be ranking for keywords that sound good but don't actually bring customers. Or worse, you're going after keywords you have no chance of ranking for.

The fix: Do real keyword research. Look for terms that match what your customers actually search for. Long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases) are usually easier to rank for and bring more qualified traffic. Think "affordable web design for small businesses" instead of just "web design."

5. Your Content is Thin and Pointless

Posting a bunch of 300-word blog posts filled with fluff won't cut it. Google wants content that actually answers questions and solves problems.

The fix: Write longer, more detailed posts that cover topics thoroughly. Aim for 1,000+ words when it makes sense. Create pillar pages around your main services, comprehensive resources that establish you as an authority. Then write supporting blog posts that link back to those pillar pages. Quality beats quantity every time.

6. You Have Duplicate Content Issues

If the same content appears in multiple places on your site, search engines get confused about which page to rank. Your rankings get split and everyone loses.

The fix: Use canonical tags to tell search engines which version is the original. Combine similar pages into one stronger page. If you're pulling product descriptions from manufacturers, rewrite them to be unique. Add customer reviews or your own insights to differentiate.

7. Your Title Tags and Meta Descriptions are Terrible

Generic titles like "Home" or missing meta descriptions make your site invisible in search results. These are your first impression, make them count.

The fix: Write unique, descriptive titles for every page. Include your target keyword but make it sound natural, not robotic. Keep titles under 60 characters so they don't get cut off. Write compelling meta descriptions (under 160 characters) that make people want to click. Think of them as mini ads for your content.

8. Your URLs Look Like Random Code

URLs like "yoursite.com/?p=123" tell visitors and search engines nothing about what's on the page.

The fix: Use clean URLs with keywords that describe the page content. Instead of "/?p=123," use "/search-engine-optimization-tips" or "/web-design-pricing." It's cleaner, easier to remember, and better for SEO.

9. You're Ignoring Internal Linking

Internal links help search engines understand your site structure and spread ranking power to important pages. Most sites waste this opportunity.

The fix: Link to your important pages from relevant blog posts using descriptive anchor text. Instead of "click here," use phrases like "learn more about our managed IT support services" or "check out our digital marketing approach." This helps both users and search engines understand what they'll find on the linked page.

10. Your Images Have No Alt Text

Every image on your site is a missed SEO opportunity if it doesn't have alt text. Plus, screen readers need alt text for accessibility.

The fix: Add descriptive alt text to every image. Don't keyword stuff, just describe what's in the image naturally. "Red running shoes on wooden deck" is better than "best shoes buy now sale." Bonus: compress those images while you're at it to help with page speed.

What Now?

SEO isn't magic. It's a series of technical and content decisions that add up over time. Fix these 10 issues and you'll start seeing better results.

The biggest mistake is trying to fix everything at once and getting overwhelmed. Pick two or three items from this list, knock them out, then move to the next batch. Small, consistent improvements beat grand plans that never get finished.

If you're juggling running a business and don't have time for all this, that's what we're here for. Between cybersecurity, data backup, and everything else on your plate, sometimes it makes sense to let someone else handle the technical stuff.

Want help getting your SEO sorted? Get in touch and we'll figure out what's holding you back.