In today’s digital-first world, your website’s visibility on Google can make or break your business. Yet many companies unknowingly make mistakes that damage their search engine rankings. At CreatorShadow.com, we specialize in SEO, mobile and website development, and we see these issues all the time.
Here are the most common website mistakes that can hurt your Google rankings—and how to fix them.
1. Slow Website Speed
Why it hurts:
Google prioritizes user experience, and a slow-loading website leads to high bounce rates. Even a delay of one second can significantly reduce conversions and lower your rankings.
Fix it:
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Optimize images and use modern formats (like WebP).
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Minimize CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
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Enable caching and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
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Consider switching to faster hosting.
2. Not Mobile-Friendly
Why it hurts:
Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily evaluates your site based on its mobile version. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re likely losing rankings and visitors.
Fix it:
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Use responsive design that adapts to all screen sizes.
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Ensure clickable elements aren’t too close together.
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Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
3. Missing or Poor Meta Tags
Why it hurts:
Meta titles and descriptions help Google understand your content. Poor or missing meta tags confuse search engines and reduce your click-through rate (CTR) in search results.
Fix it:
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Write unique meta titles and descriptions for each page.
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Keep meta titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 160.
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Include relevant keywords naturally.
4. Broken Links and 404 Errors
Why it hurts:
Broken links create a bad user experience and signal poor site maintenance to Google. Too many errors can lead to lower rankings.
Fix it:
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Regularly scan your site with tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console.
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Fix or redirect broken links to working pages.
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Set up custom 404 pages with helpful navigation options.
5. Thin or Duplicate Content
Why it hurts:
Google rewards high-quality, original content. Pages with little useful information or duplicated content from other sites often get ignored or penalized.
Fix it:
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Add value to every page with in-depth, relevant information.
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Avoid copying content from other websites.
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Use canonical tags to avoid internal duplication.
6. Missing Image Alt Text
Why it hurts:
Google can’t “see” images, so it relies on alt text to understand them. Missing alt tags are a lost opportunity for SEO and accessibility.
Fix it:
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Add descriptive, keyword-relevant alt text to every image.
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Keep it short and relevant—avoid keyword stuffing.
7. No HTTPS (SSL Certificate)
Why it hurts:
Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor. Sites without SSL are marked “Not Secure” in browsers, which discourages visitors and affects trust.
Fix it:
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Install an SSL certificate and ensure your site loads via HTTPS.
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Set up proper 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.
8. Poor URL Structure
Why it hurts:
Confusing, lengthy, or non-descriptive URLs make it hard for search engines and users to understand your pages.
Fix it:
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Use short, clean URLs that include target keywords.
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Avoid unnecessary numbers or special characters.
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Example: Use
yourdomain.com/seo-services
instead ofyourdomain.com/page?id=12345
.
9. Ignoring Core Web Vitals
Why it hurts:
Google’s Core Web Vitals are essential for ranking in 2025. They measure real-world user experience like loading speed, responsiveness, and layout stability.
Fix it:
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Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your scores.
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Prioritize LCP (Largest Contentful Paint), FID (First Input Delay), and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) in your optimization strategy.
10. Not Using Schema Markup
Why it hurts:
Without structured data (schema), your content may not qualify for rich snippets in search results, which can impact click-through rates.
Fix it:
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Add schema markup for reviews, FAQs, products, etc.
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Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to implement it properly.
Final Thoughts
Google’s algorithms are getting smarter, but they still rely on technical signals, content quality, and user experience. By fixing these common website mistakes, you’ll boost both your search engine rankings and your visitors’ satisfaction.
At CreatorShadow.com, we help businesses stay ahead with SEO-optimized websites, mobile development, and ongoing digital strategy. Let us help you turn your website into a growth engine.