Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for driving organic traffic to your website. However, many small business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria often fall into the same traps that hurt their visibility online. If you’re not ranking on Google or struggling to get clicks, you might be making one (or more) of these common mistakes.
1. Ignoring Keyword Research
One of the biggest common SEO mistakes is skipping keyword research entirely. Many people write content based on what they think people want—not what people are actually searching for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help you discover what your ideal audience is searching on Google. Focus on keywords with high search volume but low competition. For example, instead of just writing “marketing tips,” go for “digital marketing tips for small businesses.” Don’t just guess—research and plan your content around real user intent.
2. Not Optimizing On-Page Elements
It’s not enough to just write great content. If your title tags, meta descriptions, image alt text, and headers are not optimized, your SEO will suffer. This is where tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math come in. They help ensure that your page is well-structured for search engines. Use your target keyphrase in your H1, at least one subheading, and naturally throughout your content. And please—don’t forget mobile optimization. Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing, so your website must be mobile-friendly to rank well.
3. Poor Quality or Thin Content
Another huge SEO mistake is posting short, vague, or duplicate content. Google rewards useful, original content that helps people solve a problem. A 150-word blog post won’t cut it anymore. You need depth, relevance, and value. Aim for at least 500–800 words per blog, filled with helpful tips, clear explanations, and external links to trusted sources like Moz, Search Engine Journal, or Ahrefs. You also want to internally link to other useful pages on your site to improve dwell time and page authority. That’s one thing we always include in our strategy at AshSalt Consultancy.
SEO Is Not a One-Time Task
A lot of businesses treat SEO like a checklist. Once they “optimize” a page, they move on. But SEO is not static—it evolves. Google’s algorithm updates constantly, and what worked last year may not work now. Keep learning. Keep testing. And above all, focus on your audience. If your content truly helps people, the rankings will follow.
At AshSalt Consultancy, we don’t just do SEO—we build strategies that grow with your business. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start ranking, let’s work together to avoid the most common SEO mistakes and build a digital presence that truly delivers.
