Right, let’s have a proper chat about SEO, shall we? We’ve seen enough websites limping around the internet like a three-legged pasty to know that most businesses are making the same cringe-worthy mistakes when it comes to Search Engine Optimisation.
If your website is currently buried deeper than a tourist’s car in a Cornish hedge, you’ve probably committed at least half of these SEO sins. Don’t worry though – we’re not here to judge (much). We’re here to help you climb out of Google’s doghouse and actually get found by people who aren’t your mum.
1. keyword stuffing like it’s christmas dinner
The Mistake: Cramming your target keyword into every sentence like you’re trying to win a “most mentions” competition.
Why It’s Killing You: Google’s algorithms are smarter than a Cornish fisherman reading the weather. They can spot keyword stuffing from a mile off, and they’re not impressed. Your content ends up reading like a broken robot having an existential crisis.
The Fix: Use your keywords naturally, like you’re actually talking to a human being (revolutionary concept, we know). Aim for about 1-2% keyword density – any more and you’ll sound like a malfunctioning GPS.
2. ignoring page speed (aka the dial-up days nostalgia)
The Mistake: Having a website that loads slower than the queue at Eden Project on a bank holiday.
Why It’s Killing You: Google cares about user experience more than we care about proper Cornish cream tea etiquette (and that’s saying something). If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, visitors bounce faster than a rubber ball off St. Michael’s Mount.
The Fix: Compress those images, minimize your code, and invest in decent hosting. Your website should load faster than you can say “proper job.”
3. mobile unfriendly = future unfriendly
The Mistake: Having a website that looks like it was designed for a desktop computer from 2003.
Why It’s Killing You: More people browse on their phones than there are seagulls in St. Ives (and that’s a lot). Google’s mobile-first indexing means if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re basically invisible.
The Fix: Responsive design isn’t optional anymore – it’s as essential as having proper sea defenses. Make sure your site works beautifully on every device from smartphone to tablet to desktop.
4. title tags that say nothing (or everything)
The Mistake: Either having no title tags at all, or ones that read like “Home | Welcome | About | Contact | Services | Kitchen Sink.”
Why It’s Killing You: Your title tag is like your shop front – if it’s boring or confusing, nobody’s coming in. Google uses it to understand what your page is about, and users see it in search results.
The Fix: Write compelling, descriptive titles under 60 characters that include your target keyword. Think of it as writing a newspaper headline that actually makes people want to read the article.
5. meta descriptions that are mia
The Mistake: Leaving meta descriptions blank or letting Google write them for you (spoiler: Google’s not great at sales copy).
Why It’s Killing You: Your meta description is your elevator pitch in search results. No description = no clicks = no customers = no pasty money.
The Fix: Write enticing meta descriptions under 160 characters that tell people exactly what they’ll get if they click. Include a call-to-action and make it irresistible.
6. content thinner than rick stein’s patience with bad fish
The Mistake: Publishing content with fewer words than a Cornish weather forecast and about as much depth.
Why It’s Killing You: Google rewards comprehensive, valuable content. If your blog posts are shorter than a tweet and less useful than a chocolate teapot, you’re not ranking anywhere good.
The Fix: Create in-depth, valuable content that actually helps your audience. Think quality over quantity – one brilliant piece beats ten rubbish ones every time.
7. internal linking like you’re playing hide and seek
The Mistake: Having pages on your website that are harder to find than a parking space in Padstow during Rick Stein season.
Why It’s Killing You: Internal links help Google understand your site structure and pass authority between pages. Poor internal linking is like having a maze with no signs – everyone gets lost.
The Fix: Link between relevant pages naturally within your content. Think of it as being a helpful host, guiding visitors to other interesting rooms in your digital house.
8. ignoring local seo (when you’re not amazon)
The Mistake: Optimizing for “web design” when you should be targeting “web design Cornwall” or “web design Truro.”
Why It’s Killing You: Unless you’re competing with global giants, local SEO is your best friend. People search for services “near me” more often than they ask for directions to the Eden Project.
The Fix: Include location-based keywords, claim your Google My Business listing, and get local citations. Be the big fish in your small pond rather than a minnow in the ocean.
9. technical seo that’s more broken than cornish weather predictions
The Mistake: Having broken links, duplicate content, missing alt tags, and XML sitemaps that would confuse a sat nav.
Why It’s Killing You: Technical SEO is like the foundation of your house – if it’s wonky, everything else falls apart. Google’s crawlers need to understand and navigate your site easily.
The Fix: Regular technical audits, fix broken links, add alt tags to images, create proper XML sitemaps, and sort out your URL structure. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
10. playing the waiting game (but not actually playing)
The Mistake: Doing SEO for a month, seeing no immediate results, and giving up faster than tourists flee Cornish rain.
Why It’s Killing You: SEO is like growing the perfect Cornish hedge – it takes time, patience, and consistent effort. Expecting overnight results is like expecting the weather to be predictable in Cornwall.
The Fix: SEO is a long-term strategy. Consistent, quality efforts over 6-12 months will show results. Keep creating great content, optimizing your site, and building authority.
the bottom line
SEO isn’t rocket science, but it’s not exactly making a cup of tea either. It requires strategy, patience, and a good understanding of what both Google and your customers actually want.
At FutureProof Cornwall, we’ve helped countless businesses climb from Google’s basement to the penthouse suite. We know what works in the real world (not just in theory), and we’re passionate about helping Cornish businesses thrive online.
Ready to stop making these mistakes and start seeing real results? Get in touch with us today. We promise to explain everything in plain English, without the jargon or the false promises.
Because life’s too short for bad SEO, and Cornwall’s too beautiful to be hidden from the world.
Want to future-proof your business online? Contact FutureProof Cornwall today for a no-nonsense SEO audit that actually tells you what needs fixing.
