Is your website search engine as good as it could be? There might be simple oversights holding you back. Many websites see weak search results, as they don’t pick the right keywords, and sometimes the content isn’t quite right. Let’s check out some regular problems and how to solve them.
1. Not Using the Right Keywords
One thing people mess up is not doing keyword research or just guessing what to use. Search engines like Google rank pages based on trending topics, not just random words.
Common mistakes include:
- Using keywords that everyone else is using means you will never get seen.
- Picking keywords that nobody searches for means nobody will visit your site.
- Stuffing keywords into your content so it sounds weird gets you penalized by Google.
- Using keywords that have nothing to do with what you offer is a waste of time.
Example:
If you’re targeting the keyword “on-page SEO checklist” but your page is only 300 words and doesn’t give real steps, Google won’t rank it.
How to Fix It:
- Find your main, related, and similar keywords.
- Put them where they count: titles, headers, the first part of your writing, and image descriptions.
- Use keywords naturally Make sure your main focus is on making things helpful.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest.
2. Weak or Missing Title Tags
Your title tag is the first thing people see on Google. If they’re boring or confusing, badly written titles lead to low CTR and poor rankings.
Common mistakes include:
- Titles that are too long (exceeding 60 characters) get cut off by Google.
- If you don’t use keywords, Google won’t know what your page is about.
- Titles that aren’t interesting get skipped by searchers.
What to do:
Write title tags that are full of keywords, interesting, and give a reason to click.
Example:
“10 Common On-Page SEO Mistakes You Must Avoid to Boost Rankings”
3. Missing, Weak Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions can get more people to click on your page, which can help you rank higher in the long run.
Common mistakes include:
- If you don’t add a meta description, Google will just pull random text from your page.
- Using the same meta description on multiple pages is a bad idea.
- Not pointing out the value of your page is a missed opportunity.
- Forgetting a call to action means fewer clicks.
What to do:
- Keep it short, around 150–160 characters.
- Include your main keyword.
- Tell people why they should click.
Example:
“Learn the most common on-page SEO mistakes and how to fix them to improve rankings, boost traffic, and enhance user experience.”
4. Improper Use of Heading Tags (H1, H2, H3)
Headers show Google what your content is about and make your writing easier to read for people.
Common mistakes include:
- Multiple H1 tags confuses Google
- Overuse of keywords in headers
- Long, unclear headings
- Missing H2 structure
What to do:
- Use only one H1
- Break your content using H2 & H3 tags
- Use natural language
- Add keywords only where relevant
Good headers = better structure + better rankings.
5. Thin, Weak, or Low-Value Content
Google likes content that is helpful, relevant, and good quality. If your content is thin, Google reads that as a lack of know-how and value.
Common mistakes include:
- Short articles (under 500 words)
- Repetitive content with no depth
- Content written only for keywords, not users
- Missing examples, visuals, and structure
Make your content:
- answer questions fully
- add pictures and examples
- Sounds simple, but sure
- get updated often
Longer content can rank higher, but being detailed is more important than just being long.
6. Poor URL Structure
URLs let people and Google know what your page is about.
Common issues:
- Long URLs with stuff you don’t need.
- URLs that CMS tools make automatically.
- URLs that don’t have keywords.
- Too many numbers or characters.
What to do:
- Keep URLs short.
- Add your main keyword.
- Use hyphens.
- Describe what the page is about.
Example:
- ✔️ `/on-page-seo-mistakes`
- ✘ `/page/429seoerrors812?session=xyz`
7. Images Not Optimized for SEO
Images keep people interested, but if they aren’t set up right, they can slow down your site.
Common issues:
- Large file sizes cause slow page loads.
- Missing alt tags (poor accessibility)
- File names that don’t mean anything.
- PNGs are used instead of WebP.
What to do:
- Make images smaller using WebP.
- Add alt tags that say what the image is.
- Use file names that are relevant.
Example:
Good: “on-page-seo-audit-dashboard-example”
Bad: “image123.png”
8. Weak Internal Linking Strategy
Internal links tell Google which pages are important and help users navigate naturally.
Common mistakes include:
- No internal links.
- Links to pages that aren’t relevant.
- Using words like click here.
- Broken internal links.
What to do:
- Link to three to seven relevant pages.
- Use words like on-page SEO techniques.
- Link to your best pages to build authority.
- Check any fixed broken links often.
Internal linking can really help improve your ranking.
9. Slow Loading Speed & Poor Core Web Vitals
Website speed matters a lot for ranking high these days.
What goes wrong:
- Too many add-ons
- Bulky CSS and JavaScript files
- Large image files
- Slow server
What to do:
- Cut down on CSS/JS you don’t need
- Make files smaller
- Turn on browser caching
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Pick a fast web host
Tools to check speed: Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Lighthouse. Faster sites keep visitors around longer and rank better.
10. Not Optimizing for Mobile Users
Over 65% of searches are on phones and tablets. Google looks at your mobile site first to decide your ranking.
What goes wrong:
- The site only works well on computers
- The layout doesn’t adjust to different screen sizes
- Slow loading on phones
- Hard to read text on small screens
What to do:
- Use a responsive design
- Make text easy to read on phones
- Cut down on annoying pop-ups
- Check how your site looks on different devices
A good mobile site helps your SEO.
In Conclusion
Fixing these on-page SEO problems can quickly make things better: visibility, search engine rankings, user experience, organic traffic, and credibility. Small changes can make a big difference. Best of all, you have full control over your on-page SEO, so it’s a great thing to work on.
