How to Identify and Fix On-Page SEO Issues

If your website isn’t ranking where you want it to, chances are there are hidden on-page SEO issues at play. These issues might not only hurt your website’s visibility on Google but also reduce your traffic and hinder conversions.

On-page SEO refers to the elements on your website that you have direct control over—content, meta tags, image optimization, page structure, and more. Ignoring these elements can lead to poor rankings, reduced traffic, and a minimal return on investment for your website presence.

This blog will guide you through identifying and fixing common on-page SEO issues, empowering service-based businesses like yours to optimize your website and rise in search engine rankings.

Step 1: Identifying and Fixing Technical On-Page SEO Errors

Slow Page Load Speed

Page speed plays a crucial role in both user experience and SEO rankings. Google prioritizes faster websites because they’re user-friendly, and no one likes waiting for a page to load. A slow site can frustrate visitors, driving them to competitors, and ultimately hurting your traffic and conversions.

You can test your website’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Lighthouse. These tools provide detailed reports on your site’s performance and give actionable recommendations.

Here are some common causes and how to fix them:

Mobile-Friendliness Issues

With Google’s mobile-first indexing, your mobile site is the primary version considered for search rankings. A poor mobile experience can hurt your site’s visibility and performance. Plus, with the majority of users browsing on mobile devices, it’s essential to create a seamless experience for them.

Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool. This will identify any design or usability issues that need attention.

How to Fix It

• Responsive design is non-negotiable. Ensure your site adapts smoothly to different screen sizes.
• Use larger font sizes and buttons that are easy to click, even on small screens.
• Eliminate unnecessary elements or popups that can disrupt the mobile experience.

Broken Links & 404 Errors

Broken links damage your site’s credibility and lead to a frustrating user experience. They can even harm your SEO performance by signaling poor site maintenance to search engines.

Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to identify broken links on your website.

How to Fix It

• Implement 301 redirects for broken URLs, directing visitors to the correct pages.
• Regularly review and update internal and external links to ensure they point to live, relevant pages.

Step 2: Optimizing On-Page SEO Elements

Weak or Missing Title Tags & Meta Descriptions

Title tags and meta descriptions are your site’s first impression—what users see on search engine results pages (SERPs) before visiting. Weak or missing ones can hurt click-through rates (CTR) and rankings since users may skip your site if it doesn’t seem relevant or appealing.

Best Practices

• Title Tags: Keep them under 60 characters, so they don’t get cut off in SERPs. Be sure to include your target keyword naturally and make them descriptive yet concise.
• Meta Descriptions: Aim for 150-160 characters. Write enticing descriptions that include your primary keyword and give users a clear idea of what they’ll find on the page.

Example:

Weak Title & Meta Description

• Title Tag: “Cleaning Services”
• Meta Description: “Welcome to our cleaning services page.”

Strong Title & Meta Description

• Title Tag: “Expert Home Cleaning Services | Reliable & Affordable Solutions”
• Meta Description: “Explore our reliable and affordable home cleaning services, tailored to your needs. Save time and enjoy a spotless home. Book your professional cleaning now!”

Incorrect Header Tag Usage (H1, H2, H3, etc.)

Headers do more than just break up your content—they provide structure and help both search engines and readers understand the flow of your information. Incorrect header tag usage can confuse users and hurt your on-page SEO.

Best Practices

• Use only one H1 per page—this should be the main topic of the page.
• Use H2 and H3 tags to logically structure your subtopics and emphasize important points.
• Avoid skipping levels or using headers only for styling; they should be meaningful and hierarchical.

Example:

Incorrect Header Use

• H1: “SEO Tips”
• H3: “Title Tags”
• H2: “Meta Descriptions”

Correct Header Use

• H1: “SEO Tips to Improve Your Rankings”
  • H2: “Title Tags”
    • H3: “How to Write Effective Title Tags”
  • H2: “Meta Descriptions”
    • H3: “Why Meta Descriptions Matter”

Thin or Duplicate Content

Google penalizes websites for thin or duplicate content because it doesn’t offer value to users. Low-quality content can reduce your rankings and make your site seem less authoritative.

You can use tools like Copyscape, Siteliner, or Ahrefs to scan your site for duplicate or thin content. These tools will identify problem areas so you can address them.

How to Fix It

• Expand Thin Content: Add meaningful, detailed information that users will find valuable.
• Rewrite or Merge Duplicate Content: Make it unique or combine similar pages into one comprehensive resource.

“Your website is your digital storefront. If it’s slow, broken, or missing key SEO elements, customers—and Google—are going to ignore it. Fixing on-page SEO is like keeping your shop clean and easy to navigate.” – Avram Gonzales, Chief Strategist at Digital Harvest

Step 3: Enhancing User Engagement Signals

High Bounce Rate & Low Dwell Time

A high bounce rate and low dwell time signal to Google that users don’t find your content valuable. This can hurt your search rankings, as Google favors websites that meet user intent and keep visitors engaged. When users quickly leave without interacting, it suggests the content may be irrelevant, confusing, or hard to read.

How to Fix It

• Improve content readability by breaking up text into short, scannable paragraphs.
• Incorporate interactive elements like engaging images, videos, or infographics to capture attention.

Weak Internal Linking Structure

Internal links guide users to related content and improve site navigation. They also distribute “link equity,” helping key pages rank higher in search results. Google uses internal links to crawl and understand your site, so an optimized linking strategy can greatly boost your SEO.

Best Practices

• Use descriptive anchor text to provide context for both users and search engines. For example, “Explore our content marketing tips” is far more informative than a generic “Click here.”
• Focus on linking to relevant blog posts, service pages, or resources to enhance the user’s experience.
• Avoid excessive linking within a single page, which can confuse users and dilute SEO value.
• Regularly audit your content to ensure older pages link to newer, high-value resources.

Step 4: Addressing Image and Multimedia Issues  

Missing or Poorly Optimized Alt Text

Alt text is key to making your website accessible for people with visual impairments. Screen readers use it to describe images, creating a more inclusive experience. It also improves SEO by helping search engines understand your images, boosting rankings in image search results.

Best Practices

• Use concise, keyword-rich descriptions: Focus on describing the image in a natural, straightforward way while including relevant keywords where appropriate.
• Avoid keyword stuffing: Keep the text readable and useful; forcing too many keywords into the description can harm both the user experience and your SEO performance.

Large Image Files Slowing Load Time

Large image files can slow down your website, frustrating users and increasing bounce rates. Convert your images to WebP format to reduce size without losing quality, and use lossless compression tools to keep them optimized and clear.

Some of the best tools for optimizing your images are TinyPNG, ShortPixel, and Smush. These tools are user-friendly and capable of compressing images effectively, ensuring a quicker load time and a better overall user experience.

Step 5: Implementing Schema Markup for Better Visibility

What Is Schema Markup & Why It Matters?

Schema markup gives your website a competitive edge by enhancing search results with rich snippets like review stars, service details, or FAQs.

For example, if someone searches for a cleaning service and your site shows customer reviews, pricing, and availability directly in the results, they’re more likely to choose your business. This added visibility improves click-through rates and helps search engines better understand your content.

Types of schema include:

• LocalBusiness: Perfect for highlighting your service area, hours, and contact information.
• Review: Showcase testimonials to build trust and credibility.
• FAQ: Display answers to commonly asked questions directly on search result pages.

How to Implement Structured Data Correctly

Adding schema markup correctly is key to reaping its benefits. Start by visiting Schema.org, a comprehensive resource for structured data definitions. When implementing, it’s best to use the JSON-LD format, as it’s widely supported and easy to manage.

If you’re using a plugin like Yoast SEO, you can simplify the process further with pre-built templates.

Example

With LocalBusiness Schema:

Your business listing can include hours, location, and ratings that immediately appear in search results.

Without Schema:

The listing may lack detail, making it harder for users to understand your offerings at a glance.

Building Your SEO Fix-It Plan

On-page SEO is essential for any service-based business aiming to rank higher on Google, attract more traffic, and ultimately gain more customers.

Common issues holding your site back include slow page speeds, broken links, unoptimized titles, missing meta descriptions, weak or duplicate content, and poor user engagement. Tackling these basics is key to improving your search rankings.

SEO isn’t a one-and-done process. Regularly auditing your site—whether monthly or quarterly—ensures you stay ahead of potential problems and adapt to SEO best practices as they evolve.

Need expert help? Digital Harvest can assist with a full SEO audit and roadmap tailored precisely to your business’s needs. Connect with Avram Gonzales on LinkedIn or contact us today to grow your online presence!