In 2023, there are seven SEO blunders to avoid.

Many marketers and company owners are frustrated by the lack of results from their SEO efforts. It’s usually because they’re doing basic SEO errors.

In this post, I’ll go through seven of the most important SEO mistakes to avoid in order to achieve SEO success in 2021 and beyond.

Mistake 1:

Not setting clear SEO goals

It should come as no surprise that clear goals are required for SEO success.

However, many business owners and marketers conduct SEO efforts with no specific objectives in mind. They feel that by performing SEO, they would be able to improve their traffic, which will lead to an increase in sales.

The difficulty is that things aren’t always so straightforward.

You must know what you want to achieve in order for your SEO efforts to pay off. Are you aiming for higher-quality visitors, more organic leads, or more sales?

Let’s assume you have 10,000 monthly organic visitors to your website, but only 1% of them make a purchase. If that’s the case, one of two things may be happening: a) you’re attracting the incorrect sort of traffic to your site, or b) your site isn’t doing a good job of converting visitors into customers.

You’ll wind up with a bunch of vanity stats and not much more if you don’t have defined goals.

Mistake 2:

Ignoring search intent

The SERP results are influenced by search intent, which is a hidden ranking element. Google gives preference to sites whose content fits the search intent for a particular query.

The final motive behind a user’s search is referred to as search intent. You must determine what a user expects from a Google search for that query. Is the searcher looking to make a purchase? Is it possible that they’re attempting to learn something?

If someone puts “digital marketing” into the Google search box, for example, it is likely that the user wants to learn more about the subject. As a result, the user is looking for information.

However, if the user searches for “digital marketing services,” it’s likely that the user wants to engage a consultant or firm that specialises in digital marketing. This is a term that is used for commercial purposes. You must give information about your marketing firm and the services you offer to satisfy the search intent behind this inquiry.

You won’t be able to rank for very long if you don’t meet the searchers’ goal.

Mistake 3: 

Overlooking mobile traffic

You might be losing money if your website isn’t mobile-friendly or if mobile search isn’t part of your SEO plan.

Mobile devices now account for more than half of all traffic. As a result, Google prefers mobile-friendly websites.

To guarantee that your website is ready for organic traffic from mobile devices, make sure it is responsive and loads in under 3 seconds. Pagespeed and mobile friendliness are significant ranking criteria.

If you truly want to boost your organic website traffic, don’t overlook mobile SEO.

Mistake 4:

Holding onto old school SEO best practices

Google’s search algorithm is continuously evolving. As a result, SEO is altering as well.

The techniques that worked effectively ten years ago are no longer viable. So, if you want to stay on top of Google’s SERPs, you must stay current and employ new SEO strategies.

Old SEO methods like keyword stuffing and private blog networks (or PBNs) are now penalised rather than rewarded with ranks.

That is why you should stay current on modern SEO best practises and keep an eye out for new upgrades, Google adjustments, and industry developments.

Mistake 5:

Buying backlinks

The importance of backlinks is one of the most significant ranking variables. However, if you purchase links to increase your website’s ranks, you may face a Google penalty. This means you’re not only squandering money, but you’re also jeopardising your website’s search engine ranking.

Most sites that offer links, according to Google, do not truly improve your results. That’s because, in actuality, most link builders and link sellers offer links from the same list of websites. The good news is that Google has the same site listings, so they can discount these sites as well.

Listen to me out if you’re still not convinced. Even if you haven’t yet been penalised by Google for unethical links or methods, it doesn’t imply you’re safe. For links you created years ago, your website might still be penalised today.

If you insist on paying for links, I propose hiring an SEO services firm that can obtain top-tier links in your niche without breaching any of Google’s regulations.

Mistake 6: 

Forgetting about content formats other than text

Because every site and blog is doing the same thing, SEO for text-based content can be challenging.

It’s important to realise that content doesn’t always equate to the written word in 2021 and beyond. You may utilise different content forms to rank on Google and bring organic traffic to your website (think videos, infographics, podcasts, webinars, and pictures).

Many individuals would rather watch movies than read. That’s why you’re probably seeing more videos on your social media feeds and on Google’s search results pages. Videos are the most popular content type these days, and I expect that demand to continue to rise in the near future.

If you’re still not convinced, consider this: video content takes less time to rank on Google and YouTube than text-based material, in my experience.

Mistake 7: 

Ignoring branded SEO & EAT

SEO is about more than just getting higher rankings on Google. It’s also about establishing a reliable brand.

Google now prioritises sites that are authentic, trustworthy, and well-known. This is the E-A-T (expertise, authority, and trust) idea developed by Google. Google calculates a website’s EAT by combining a variety of data sources and algorithms.

Here are some examples of ways you may establish your knowledge, authority, and reliability:

• Ensure that your SEO plan includes methods for increasing brand-related searches.
• Attempt to get highlighted in high-profile media outlets.
• Provide details about your firm, such as its location (address), author biographies, accolades, and honours received.

Conclusions

You’ll want to avoid the seven errors I’ve listed above if you want to see benefits from your SEO efforts and rank better on Google.

You should also do an SEO audit for your website once a year or every six months to assist you identify — and correct — any potential issues.