Google Hates Your Website? Fix These 7 SEO Mistakes Before It’s Too Late

Ever feel like your website is stuck in Google’s version of a “friend zone”? You show up, make an effort, write a blog post or two, maybe even sprinkle in a few keywords—and still… crickets. 😬

The truth? Google isn’t ghosting you. But it might be holding a silent grudge over a few common SEO mistakes.

In this post, we’ll break down the 7 most common SEO sins that small business websites make—and how to fix them before it’s too late. Whether you’re a shop owner, creative freelancer, or run a local service business, this guide will help you finally get on Google’s good side.

1. You’re Ignoring Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

If your page titles are all “Home” or “Untitled Page,” Google doesn’t know what the page is about—and neither does your visitor. Meta descriptions aren’t a ranking factor, but they do affect click-through rates.

✅ How to fix it:

• Write unique, keyword-rich title tags for every page (under 60 characters).
• Add engaging meta descriptions (under 155 characters) that act like mini-ads.

Example:

1. Title: Affordable Wedding Photography in Athens | Anna Lens Studio
2. Meta: Capture your big day beautifully with Anna Lens Studio. Trusted by 300+ happy couples in Athens.

 

💡 Pro tip: Use a tool like Yoast SEO or Rank Math on WordPress to manage titles and meta descriptions easily.

2. Your Website is Slower Than a Monday Morning

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

Google loves fast websites. Page speed is a confirmed ranking factor, and more importantly, users bounce if your site doesn’t load in 3 seconds or less.

✅ How to fix it:

• Compress all images (use TinyPNG).
• Enable browser caching and minify CSS/JS.
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) like Cloudflare.
• Consider upgrading to a faster host.
•  Test your site with PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.

3. You’re Not Using Headings Properly

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

Headings aren’t just for making things pretty. Google uses them to understand your content’s structure. If everything’s wrapped in <div>s or <span>s and there’s no <h1>, Google’s like, “Uhh… what is this about again?”

✅ How to fix it:

• Use only one <h1> per page (usually your main page title).
• Structure content with <h2>s and <h3>s to organize topics and subtopics.
• Include relevant keywords in your headings, but don’t force them.

 

Example:

4. You’re Not Targeting the Right Keywords

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

You’re trying to rank for “marketing” when your business is about “email automation for yoga studios.” That’s like trying to win a marathon in flip-flops.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use long-tail keywords that match your niche and audience intent.
• Tools like Ubersuggest, Answer the Public, or Google Keyword Planner are your friends.
• Focus on terms with lower competition but high intent. Example:
  Instead of “web design,” try “affordable web design for therapists.”

Bonus tip: Answer common questions your audience Googles. Those are golden content opportunities.

5. You Don’t Have Internal Links (Or Too Many Random Ones)

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

Internal links help Google crawl your site better and understand the relationship between your content. Without them, your site structure is a tangled noodle bowl.

✅ How to fix it:

• Link to relevant blog posts or service pages within your content.
• Use descriptive anchor text, not just “click here.”
• Example:
  Instead of “click here for our process”, say:
  “Learn more about our custom website design process.”
• 🔗 Aim for 2–5 internal links per blog post.

6. Your Images Don’t Have Alt Text (Or Have Terrible Names Like IMG_0324.jpg)

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

Images are searchable too! Without alt text, you miss out on image search traffic—and make your site less accessible.

✅ How to fix it:

• Give every image a descriptive filename before uploading (e.g. athens-bookstore-front.jpg).
• Use alt attributes to describe the image meaningfully and include keywords when relevant.
• ✅ Example alt text: “Cozy independent bookstore in central Athens with vintage decor”

7. You’re Not Updating or Adding Content Regularly

🧨 Why it’s a problem:

Google rewards freshness. If your last blog post was in 2021, you’re telling Google (and visitors) your website is taking a nap.

✅ How to fix it:

• Add a new blog post every 2–4 weeks.
• Update older content with fresh stats, better headings, and internal links.
• Repurpose content into FAQ pages, listicles, or how-to guides.
• 🔁 Evergreen content like “How to Choose the Right Web Designer” or “The Beginner’s Guide to SEO for Local Businesses” can bring traffic for years.

Final Word: Don’t Panic, Just Polish

Google doesn’t actually hate your website. But it does have high standards—and some very picky algorithms.

The good news? Most of these SEO mistakes are fixable without a degree in rocket science or a full redesign. With just a few smart tweaks, you can boost your visibility, attract more of the right traffic, and turn your site into the lead-generating machine it was meant to be.

🔧 TL;DR — The SEO Mistakes You Might Be Making:

• Missing or boring title tags and meta descriptions
• A slow-loading, bloated site
• Poor use of headings (or none at all)
• Vague or generic keyword targeting
• Weak internal linking
• Images without filenames or alt text
• Dusty, outdated content with no publishing rhythm

📸 Suggested Image:

• An illustration of a confused-looking website or browser with angry Google logos floating around it.
• Or, a cartoon of a website being pulled out of a grave with a “resurrected by SEO” sign.
• Alt text for image: “Cartoon of a struggling website being lifted up by SEO tools and keywords.” 

🚀 Conclusion

Search engine optimization can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. By fixing just a few of these common SEO mistakes, you’ll be setting your website up for more visibility, more clicks, and more conversions. Remember: Google rewards helpful, fast, and well-structured websites. Make a few smart changes today, and let your site start working for you—not against you.