10 Common SEO Mistakes Startups Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Starting a new business is exciting—and a bit overwhelming. With so much to take care of, it’s easy to push search engine optimization (SEO) to the side. But if you want people to find your website, SEO is something you can’t ignore. If you're working on your startup SEO plan, watch out for these 10 common mistakes.1. Ignoring keyword research
Many startups skip keyword research or guess what people are searching for. Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner to find real words and phrases people use.
2. Choosing the wrong keywords
Even if you do use keywords, picking ones that are too broad or too competitive can make it hard to rank. Be specific—go for longer keywords like "affordable vegan coffee in Austin" instead of just "coffee."
3. Not optimizing for mobile
Most people browse on their phones. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you could lose visitors fast. Test your site on different devices to make sure it loads well and is easy to use.
4. Slow website speed
A slow website is frustrating. People leave, and search engines notice. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to find out what’s slowing you down and fix it.
5. Missing meta titles and descriptions
These short bits of text tell search engines what your page is about. Without them, your site has a harder time showing up in search results.
6. Weak content
Google wants helpful, clear content. Don’t write just to fill space. Think about what your customers need and answer their questions in a simple, helpful way.
7. Forgetting local SEO
If your business serves a specific area, make sure your city or town is mentioned in your content, and keep your business info up to date on Google Maps.
8. Not using internal links
Linking to other pages on your own site helps visitors explore and tells search engines how your pages connect.
9. Ignoring broken links
Broken links can hurt your SEO and look unprofessional. Check your site regularly to fix or remove any bad links.
10. Not tracking performance
If you’re not looking at how your site performs, you won’t know what’s working. Free tools like Google Analytics can show you where your traffic comes from and what pages people visit most.
Getting SEO right takes time, but avoiding these simple mistakes can make a big difference. Keep things clear, helpful, and honest—and you’ll be on your way.