A website audit is one of the most important steps in improving your search engine rankings. Whether a website is new or has been live for years, SEO issues can silently block traffic, rankings, and conversions.
In this article, we’ll cover the most common SEO issues found during website audits, explain why they matter, and show how to fix them—in a clear, beginner-friendly way.
What Is an SEO Website Audit?
An SEO audit is a detailed analysis of a website to identify technical, on-page, and off-page issues that affect its performance in search engines like Google.
A proper SEO audit checks:
- Website structure
- Technical health
- Content quality
- User experience
- Authority and trust signals
1. Poor or Missing Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Why this is a problem
Title tags and meta descriptions help search engines understand your pages and influence click-through rates (CTR).
Common issues found:
- Missing title tags
- Duplicate titles
- Titles longer than 60 characters
- Meta descriptions not written or auto-generated
How to fix it
- Write unique titles for every page
- Include the primary keyword naturally
- Keep titles under 60 characters
- Write compelling meta descriptions (150–160 characters)
2. Duplicate Content Issues
Why this is a problem
Duplicate content confuses search engines and can split ranking signals across multiple URLs.
Common causes:
- HTTP vs HTTPS
- www vs non-www
- Filtered URLs
- Copied blog posts
How to fix it
- Use canonical tags
- Redirect duplicate URLs (301 redirects)
- Avoid copying content from other websites
- Write original, helpful content
3. Slow Page Speed
Why this is a problem
Page speed is a confirmed Google ranking factor and directly impacts user experience.
Common speed issues:
- Large images
- Too many plugins
- Unoptimized CSS & JavaScript
- Cheap hosting
How to fix it
- Compress images
- Enable browser caching
- Minify CSS and JS files
- Use a CDN
- Upgrade hosting if necessary
4. Poor Mobile Optimization
Why this is a problem
Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it evaluates the mobile version of your site first.
Common mobile issues:
- Text too small to read
- Buttons too close together
- Layout breaks on mobile
- Slow mobile load times
How to fix it
- Use a responsive design
- Test your site on different devices
- Optimize mobile speed
- Ensure content is readable on small screens
5. Broken Links and 404 Errors
Why this is a problem
Broken links create a bad user experience and waste crawl budget.
Common issues found in audits:
- Internal broken links
- External links pointing to dead pages
- Old URLs not redirected
How to fix it
- Regularly scan for broken links
- Fix or remove broken URLs
- Set up proper 301 redirects
- Create a helpful custom 404 page
6. Weak or Thin Content
Why this is a problem
Thin content does not provide value and struggles to rank.
Examples of thin content:
- Very short blog posts
- Pages with no clear purpose
- Keyword-stuffed content
- AI-generated content with no editing
How to fix it
- Expand content with real value
- Answer user questions clearly
- Add examples, FAQs, and visuals
- Update old content regularly
7. Missing Header Tag Structure (H1, H2, H3)
Why this is a problem
Header tags help search engines understand content hierarchy.
Common issues:
- Missing H1 tag
- Multiple H1s on one page
- Skipping heading levels
How to fix it
- Use one H1 per page
- Structure content using H2s and H3s
- Include keywords naturally in headings
8. Poor Internal Linking
Why this is a problem
Internal links help distribute authority and improve crawlability.
Audit findings often include:
- Orphan pages
- Too few internal links
- Generic anchor text like “click here”
How to fix it
- Link related articles together
- Use descriptive anchor text
- Ensure important pages are linked from multiple places
9. Missing Image Optimization
Why this is a problem
Images affect page speed and image search visibility.
Common image issues:
- No alt text
- Large file sizes
- Poor file naming
How to fix it
- Add descriptive alt text
- Compress images
- Rename files properly (e.g., seo-audit-checklist.jpg)
10. Weak E-E-A-T Signals
Why this is a problem
Google values Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, especially for informational websites.
Common problems:
- No author bio
- No contact or about page
- No sources or references
- No trust signals
How to fix it
- Add an author bio with experience
- Create About, Contact, and Privacy pages
- Cite credible sources
- Show real expertise and examples
People Also Ask (AEO-Optimized FAQs)
What is the most common SEO issue?
The most common SEO issues are missing meta tags, duplicate content, slow page speed, and poor mobile optimization.
How often should you do an SEO audit?
An SEO audit should be done every 3–6 months, or after major website changes.
Can SEO issues hurt rankings?
Yes, unresolved SEO issues can prevent your website from ranking, even if your content is good.
Are technical SEO issues more important than content?
Both are important. Technical SEO ensures search engines can access your site, while content helps you rank.
Final Thoughts
SEO issues are common—but they are also fixable.
A proper website audit helps identify hidden problems that stop your website from ranking, attracting traffic, and converting users. By fixing these common SEO issues, you build a stronger foundation for long-term organic growth.
If you want your website to rank consistently, regular SEO audits are not optional—they’re essential.
