Getting to the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs) can be a mystery to many website owners. Despite all the effort, their sites languish in the search results, sometimes not even making it to page one. If you’re wondering why your site isn’t ranking, you’re not alone. Here’s what could be holding your site back and what you can do to fix the problem.
BAD SEO HABITS
One of the main reasons sites don’t rank is bad or outdated SEO habits. SEO is the foundation of online visibility, it’s using various techniques to make your site more relevant and authoritative (in the eyes of the search engines). Some common SEO mistakes we see our clients make:
- Keyword Overuse or Misuse: Keywords are important for SEO, but overusing or misusing them can get you penalized. Keywords should naturally fit into your content to match what users are searching for without compromising readability.
- Lack of On-Page Optimization: Meta tags, headings and alt text for images must be optimized. These elements help search engines understand the content and context of your pages.
- Ignoring Local SEO: If you’re a business serving a specific area, ignoring local SEO means you’re missing out. Make sure your site is optimized for local search and you’ll see a big boost in visibility.
BAD CONTENT
Content is king in the world of SEO. High quality, informative and engaging content is what attracts and retains visitors. Factors that affect content quality include:
- Thin Content: Pages with minimal content, offering no value or insight, this can adversely hurt your SEO. Instead make comprehensive content that answers user questions.
- Duplicate Content: Repeating the same content across multiple pages confuses search engines and dilutes the authority of individual pages. Each page should have unique and valuable content.
- Irrelevant Content: Make sure your content is relevant to your target audience. Irrelevant content increases bounce rates which indicates to search engines your site might not be meeting user expectations.
High quality content is the foundation of good SEO
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Technical problems can be a major obstacle to getting to the top of the search engine rankings. These issues require deep analysis and expert handling to fix:
- Slow Page Load: Users and search engines love fast websites. Slow loading pages can result in higher bounce rates and lower rankings.
- Mobile Unfriendliness: With more and more mobile users, having a mobile friendly site is non-negotiable. Responsive design means your site works well on all devices.
- Broken Links and Errors: Broken links and 404 errors frustrate users and can reduce crawl efficiency of search engines. Check and fix these regularly to ensure your site has smooth navigation.
TOO MUCH COMPETITION
In some cases, the competition in your industry or niche is just too tough. Larger, established sites with more authority and a bigger backlink profile will overshadow new or smaller sites. To counter this:
- Identify Niche Keywords: Focus on less competitive, long-tail keywords that are relevant to your specific offerings.
- Enhance Content Uniqueness: Offer unique insights, case studies or expert opinions that competitors don’t. This will attract more backlinks and increase your site’s authority.
- Build Relationships: Network with industry influencers and collaborate with other businesses to build your site’s authority through guest posts and partnerships.
NO BACKLINKS
Backlinks from other sites is a proof of your site’s authority and relevance. But getting high quality backlinks is tough:
- Create Linkable Content: Develop comprehensive guides, infographics or research-based articles that others will naturally want to link to.
- Do Outreach: Connect with other website owners and bloggers in your niche to discuss potential collaborations and guest posting opportunities.
- Monitor and Disavow Toxic Links: Check your backlink profile regularly to identify and disavow harmful links that can harm your SEO.
Closing Thoughts
Improving your website’s search engine ranking is a complex task that requires ongoing effort and adaptation to the ever-changing SEO landscape. By fixing bad SEO practices, improving content quality, resolving technical issues, understanding your competition and building strong backlinks you can increase your website’s visibility.
At nHance Solutions we help businesses navigate these challenges. Our team of SEO experts will develop custom strategies to boost your online presence and get your website to its ranking potential. Whether you need help with SEO, digital marketing or managed IT services, we can nHance your online journey.
About the Author
Imran Akhtar is the owner of nHance solutions, a digital agency providing high-end web development services, social media management, digital marketing strategies, and maintenance and security solutions. He has an MBA in Marketing from Rice University in Houston, and has over 20 years of experience in the marketing and information technology space.
