Hajra Naz
Curious why some blogs skyrocket in popularity while others barely change?
I’ve been through both scenarios. After many tries and errors, I discovered the big mistakes that can make or break a blog’s success.
It wasn’t easy. I messed up a lot.
But now, I can create websites that get high rankings in search results in just a few weeks.
Today, I’ll share the 15 major blunders I made and show you how to steer clear of them for your blog.
Let’s get started.
1. Ignoring Audience Research
When I began blogging, I was decent at writing. I also learned from some online videos that targeting less competitive keywords was a good idea.
So, I focused on those keywords without thinking much more.
That was a big mistake
It felt like I was shooting in the dark, creating content without understanding what my audience wanted.
Things started to improve when I began to explore what my audience was interested in and needed. I noticed a rise in engagement and traffic.
Keep in mind, that your content should resonate with your readers, even if you use less popular keywords.
Read More: Why Keyword Research and Planning is important for SEO?
2. Ignoring SEO Basics
I thought SEO was too hard, so I did not care about it.
But, when I learned easy things like finding good words and making my website look good for search, my website got lots of visitors.
Writing good stuff can help your website be famous, but no one will see it if they cannot find it. SEO is not something to miss; it is very important.
3. Not Optimizing for Mobile Users
I did not know how big mobile phones were for my website. After I made my site work well on phones, more people came to see it.
Making your site work on phones is not a choice now; it is needed.
Make sure your website looks good on phones or use things that look good on phones.
If you don’t know what to use on WordPress, ask me in the talk part.
4. Not Refreshing Old Content
Can you imagine that I used to refresh my blog posts every 2–3 days?
Okay, not every single post, but I did make sure to update the ones that were doing well about every three days!
This helped improve their SEO and kept providing value to my readers.
From Google’s perspective, old content can get outdated and less useful. So, it’s important to keep your content fresh and current.
Read More: How to Generate Killer Content Ideas That Attract Your Audience
5. Neglecting Site Speed and Performance
Your website’s loading speed will cause you to lose visitors and drop in the search results. Although the majority of you are already aware of this, I’ll wager that many of you haven’t given your site’s performance and loading times enough thought.
I discovered that improving my site’s speed was crucial for keeping readers and boosting search rankings. Quick loading times make readers stay longer and stay interested.
Quick Tip: Make sure you have LightSpeed (or a similar plugin) installed and properly set up on your website.
6. Disorganized Content
Chaotic content is a reader’s worst enemy. Content that is clear, simple, and well-arranged keeps readers interested. Using headings, bullet points, and images helps make the text easier to read.
Did you know that search engines also prefer well-organized content?
7. Ignoring Analytics for Content Planning
Data is helpful. When I began using analytics to see what content was successful, I could adjust my approach to focus on what my audience preferred.
This information is key for improvement.
Your Google Search Console is a valuable tool for content creation. It provides the best keywords and content ideas that other tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs might miss.
8. Ignoring User Experience and Design
A messy website design can push visitors away. By making my site’s design and user experience better, I saw longer visits and fewer people leaving quickly.
Your website should be as fun as your content.
9. Skipping Categories and Tags
At first, my blog was like a jumble. Sorting posts into categories and adding tags made it easier to find things, improving both user experience and SEO. It’s like setting up a library — it needs to be simple to get around.
Adding breadcrumbs can make navigation even smoother. Breadcrumbs are tiny navigation links at the top of your website’s page (you can easily add these with free plugins).
10. Limited Use of Visuals and Multimedia
Posts with only text can be boring.
Adding visuals and multimedia made my content more interesting and shareable. Using different types of media can greatly improve the user experience.
11. Irregular Posting Routine
At first, my posting times were all over the map. Being regular is important.
Once I began posting on a set schedule, my audience started to know when to look for new content, which greatly increased engagement.
12. Ignoring Email List Building
Just like many new bloggers, I didn’t focus on creating my email list right from the start, and I wished I had.
Your email list is a direct connection to your audience, which is very important for increasing traffic and developing relationships.
Quick Tip: You can use plugins to help you gather and grow your email list effortlessly.
13. Skipping Networking with Other Bloggers
Blogging isn’t something you do alone. Working together with other bloggers can lead to chances for guest posts, backlinks, and reaching new audiences.
Making connections is a big deal.
14. Limited Exploration of Different Writing Styles
I stuck to just one writing style, which turned out to be a missed chance.
Trying out different styles — whether formal or casual — can connect with more people and keep your content interesting.
Quick Question: How do you feel about my writing style? Let me know in the comments.
Read More: From Zero to Hero: 7 Rules to Rule Your Writing Game
Closing thoughts
I hope you can avoid these common mistakes and speed up your journey to blogging success.
