5 Sneaky Website Mistakes That Make You Hard to Find on Google

If your website isn’t showing up in search results, one of these 5 common SEO mistakes might be to blame. Here’s how to fix them, without the tech overwhelm.
5 Sneaky Website Mistakes That Make You Hard to Find on Google-BLOG-Marketing Mavens

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It’s summertime, your kids are home, and you’re probably balancing a dozen things, including wondering if your website is actually doing its job.

If you’ve grabbed my SEO checklist (or even if you haven’t), this post breaks down five sneaky reasons your site might still be MIA on Google, and how to start fixing them without burning hours you don’t have.

Does This Sound Familiar?

You’ve put in the work to create a beautiful website.

You’ve shared it on social. Told your friends. Maybe even started a blog.

But when you type your business name (or services) into Google… crickets.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So many small business owners (especially those juggling a million things, hey, mama, I see you) assume their site will “just show up” eventually. But Google has some specific boxes it wants checked, and if you miss them, your site might stay invisible.

Let me break down the 5 most common reasons I see as you why your website is hard to find on Google, and how to start fixing them.

1. You Don’t Have Keywords Where They Count

It’s not just about using keywords, it’s about where you use them.

If your homepage doesn’t clearly say what you do, who you help, and where you’re located (if you’re local), Google won’t know how to index your site.

Quick fix:
Start by checking your page title, meta description, and your first heading. Are you using words your ideal client would search for?

Not sure if your keywords are working? A Mini Site Audit includes a quick metadata review and keyword check.

2. Your Website Loads Too Slowly

Speed matters, especially on mobile. If your site takes too long to load, not only will visitors bounce, but Google will rank you lower.

Common culprits:

Quick fix:
Compress images (use tools like ShortPixel), remove plugins you don’t need, and avoid using oversized sliders or animations on your homepage.

3. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly

More than half of your visitors are coming from their phones. If your site looks clunky or hard to use on mobile, it’s a problem for both Google and your users.

Quick fix:
Check your site on your phone. Can you read everything easily? Are buttons clickable without zooming? If not, it’s time to tweak your mobile layout.

4. Your Images Don’t Have Alt Text

Alt text isn’t just for accessibility; Google reads it too. If your images are missing descriptive alt text, you’re missing out on a chance to rank in image search (and to help Google understand your page content better).

Quick fix:
Add short, keyword-relevant descriptions to every image. Think: “Vancouver-based brand strategist working at laptop” instead of “IMG_4982.jpg”.

5. You Don’t Have Internal Links

Google wants to see that your pages are connected. If every page on your site is an island, you’re not helping search engines (or visitors) navigate.

Quick fix:
Link to your blog posts from your homepage. Add a CTA button that leads to your services. Mention related services in your blog content and link them. It’s that simple.

Bonus Tip: You Don’t Have to Fix It All Alone

If you’re not sure how your site is doing, or you don’t have the time (or energy) to dig through every setting and plugin, that’s exactly where I come in.

You’ll get:

And if you decide to upgrade to a full SEO & Performance Audit, your $125 gets credited toward it.

TLDR:

If your site isn’t showing up on Google, it’s probably one (or more) of these:

You can DIY some of the fixes above, but if you’re ready for expert eyes and a custom plan, I’m just a click away.

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