Website traffic and SEO works in a sense, just like real “traffic”. Imagine you are at an intersection, at a red light (Google). Just beyond that red light is your destination (your website). In order to get to that destination, you need the light to turn green. That light is powered by the main control system which tells it that people are ready to cross and continue their path. That system, that alerts the light (Google) to let traffic get through, that is your SEO. Making sure your SEO is done correctly will flag the light (Google) to turn GREEN and allow traffic to get to that destination (your website).
Google (and other search engines) has tons of traffic to send your way – you just need to make sure that the light is green! Today, we want to help you pinpoint a few SEO mistakes you may be making on your website, so Google can get that traffic to your site!
Blocking Search Engines
This is obviously something you don’t want to be doing, however, if you created your own website, it is possible you may accidentally be doing this! Even if you hired someone to build your website, you may want to make sure this was not overlooked. Most of the time, while a page is being created/developed – it is set to block search engines (you don’t really want people finding your unfinished website). However, once your site goes live you need to unblock them!
How to fix it:
Check your settings in Settings > Reading. Look for the following:
Make sure it is NOT checked! If it is, uncheck it and save changes.
Not Connecting WordPress With Google
Along with many tools that Google offers everyone for business – when it comes to SEO, you should really make sure that you are using Google Search Console, The main reasons for this are simple – it connects your site directly to Google and does the following:
- Helps you tell Google what pages and posts are on your website (and where)
- Helps you tell Google when you have published something new
- Google tells you when you have problems on your website (broken links, HTML issues, and a bunch of other helpful info)
- Google tells you exactly what they are showing your site for on search (keyword, average position, the volume of searches)
How to fix it:
Connecting your WordPress (or any other) website with Search Console
Use or create a Gmail account and go to the Search Console. Register your site with Search Console (Add Property) add a Sitemap.xml (see “plugins section below)
Not Optimizing Your Website For Keywords
Search engines look for clues from you to figure out what a specific page or post on your website is about. Keywords are your best friend! However, just like friends – you need to make sure you choose the right ones! Don’t skimp out on keyword research. Make sure when you write content for your page and for your blog posts, you are taking time to research the best search words and terms! You can optimize your website by placing your well-researched keywords in exactly the right places.
How to Fix it:
- Taking time for keyword research
- Optimize your pages and posts by placing your keywords in the right places:
- URL
- Heading
- Title
- Meta Description
- First 100 words
- First image alt text
Not Using An SEO Plugin
SEO plugins not only help you set up the basics for search engine optimization, they also cover lots of complex SEO issues that you may need additional assistance with, for example:
- Adding a sitemap.xml for Google Search Console (refer to item #2 above)
- Blocking pages you don’t want to appear on search engines
- Optimizing your pages and posts for keywords (more on that in #4 below)
- Adding open graph tags for better social sharing (not pure SEO, but certainly useful and related)
Without an SEO plugin, many of the things above are very very difficult to do, or downright impossible.
How to Fix it:
Consider a plugin like Yoast SEO (Free + Paid Premium Features) Yoast SEO is the original (and probably the most trusted) WordPress SEO plugin since 2008. It is the favorite tool of millions of users, ranging from the bakery around the corner to some of the most popular sites on the planet. With Yoast SEO, you get a solid toolset that helps you aim for that number one spot in the search results.
Are you making any of these SEO mistakes on your WordPress website? Give these fixes a try and you can be on your way to that dream of endless traffic (without the commute!).
Still feeling overwhelmed? It’s ok! If you need assistance with any of these steps, please feel free to reach out.