If you’ve ever wondered why your website isn’t appearing in search engines as well as you’d hoped, the answer might be hiding in plain sight – right on your sites pages.
On-page SEO is the backbone of how search engines understand and rank your content, but it’s easy to overlook the little details that make a big difference. From jumbled heading structures to neglected image optimization, small missteps can tank your visibility. In this post, we’re breaking down four common on-page SEO mistakes that you should tackle first. Fix these, and you’ll be on your way to impressing both Google and your visitors.
1. Heading Structure – Like a Family Tree
Your headings are like a roadmap for search engines and readers alike—but if they’re a mess, no one knows where to go. A poor heading structure is one of the most frequent on-page SEO blunders.
Understanding How Headings Work
Your headings should look like a family tree when written out on a piece of paper.
- Think of your H1 as the grandparents (there should only one set)
- H2s are the parents
- H3s are the grandchildren
Why Is It Important to Use Headings Correctly?
Skipping levels (like jumping from an H1 straight to an H3) or overusing H1 tags confuses search engines and dilutes your page’s focus.
How Do I Fix My Heading Structure?
To fix this, audit your pages. Ensure every page has a single, keyword-rich H1 that clearly states what the page is about. Then, organize your content logically with H2s for major sections and H3s or H4s for supporting details. Not only does this help crawlers understand your content, but it also improves readability—keeping visitors on your site longer. Get this right, and you’re already ahead of the game.
2. Keywords in Headings
If your headings don’t include your target keywords, you’re missing a golden opportunity. Keywords in headings—especially your H1 and H2s—signal to search engines what your page is about, boosting its relevance for those terms. But there’s a catch: it’s not about stuffing keywords everywhere. Overdoing it looks spammy and turns readers off.
How Do I Balance My Heading Structure While Keeping it Relevant?
Be strategic. Include your primary keyword naturally in your H1 (e.g., “Four On-Page SEO Mistakes to Fix First”) and sprinkle related keywords or variations into your H2s (like “Optimizing Images for SEO” or “Why Heading Structure Matters”).
This keeps your content focused and scannable while telling Google exactly what you’re targeting. Check your competitors’ top-ranking pages for inspiration – but make sure your headings still sound human. Balance is key here.
3. Internal Links
Internal links are the unsung heroes of on-page SEO, yet they’re often forgotten. Without them, your pages can feel like isolated islands, making it harder for search engines to crawl your site and for users to discover your content. Worse, you’re missing a chance to spread link equity (juicy SEO power) across your site.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Internal Links
Weave relevant internal links into your content naturally. For example, in this post, I linked to a site speed blog in the images section because it’s helpful and related.
- Aim for 2-5 internal links per page, pointing to cornerstone content or related articles
- Use descriptive anchor text like “learn more about site speed” instead of vague phrases like “click here”
Getting your internal links right boosts crawlability, keeps visitors engaged, and strengthens your site’s overall structure. Don’t let your pages dwell in obscurity – link them up!
4. Images – Not Just a Visual
Images can make or break your on-page SEO, and too many people treat them as an afterthought. Unoptimized images – whether it’s generic file names like “IMG_1234.jpg,” missing alt text, or massive file sizes – lower your rankings and harm user experience. Search engines can’t “see” images, so they rely on context clues like file names and descriptions to identify what is presented.
How Do I Optimize the Images on My Website?
- File Name – name or rename your image files to something descriptive and keyword-relevant like “on-page-seo-mistakes-guide.jpg” instead of a random string.
- Alt Text – add concise, keyword-friendly alt text (e.g., “Guide to fixing on-page SEO mistakes”) to every image—it’s a ranking factor and boosts accessibility.
- Captions – Don’t skip captions where they add value; they’re another chance to engage readers.
- Image Size – Compress those files! Oversized images slow your site down, which Google hates. More tips for speeding up your website here – Four easy ways to speed up your website.
Compression Plugins & Tools
Here are a few plugins that compress images:
- Shortpixel – https://shortpixel.com/otp/af/C4ZZQGF289837
You can use shortpixel as a wordpress plugin to optimize your images, or you can use it to optimize your images and PDF’s before uploading.
On-Page SEO Tips Conclusion
Fix these four on-page SEO mistakes, and watch your rankings rise—small changes, big results! Your headings will be organized, your images will be informative and optimized, your keywords will be strategically placed, and your internal links will guide users and search engines alike.
Ready to take your on-page SEO to the next level? Start by implementing these four fixes today. And if you need help with any other aspect of your SEO strategy, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help you with your website project.
