10 SEO Mistakes in Wellness and How To Fix

Avoid These 10 Common SEO Mistakes Founder In The Wellness World Make

In my career working with 30+ founders and solopreneurs, I always see the same mistakes being made over and over again, with no chance of failure.

When it comes to SEO, the same mistakes are so common that I am sure that, if I went to your website right now, I’d spot at least 3 of the 10 SEO mistakes I listed below! Hopefully for you it’s not the case, but if it is, check the guide below and spot the 10 SEO mistakes that you absolutely need to avoid if you want to rank higher on Google as a wellness service.

Why SEO matters for wellness service providers

If you run a wellness business (wether you are a nutritionist or a yoga instructor, own a wellness centre or a platform offering a range of wellness services), ranking high on search engines is crucial for attracting clients. However, many wellness professionals unknowingly make both big and small SEO mistakes that prevent their websites from working for them and getting them new clients. In this article, we’ll cover the top 10 SEO marketing mistakes to avoid, helping you improve your visibility and attract more clients.

working on seo from bed

1. Ignoring Keyword Research

Many wellness businesses fail to target the right keywords. SEO for wellness services requires researching relevant search terms your potential clients use. Without proper keyword research, you might be ranking for terms that don’t drive traffic or conversions, or not ranking at all because broad keywords are too competitive. Check out this article on long-tail keywords if you want to learn more about finding keywords with low competition.

How to Fix It:

  • Use paid tools like Ahrefs or free tools like Google’s autocomplete to find relevant long-tail keywords.
  • Focus on intent-based keywords like “best wellness services near me” or “holistic health coaching online.”
  • Avoid keyword stuffing: place keywords naturally in content, titles, and meta descriptions.

2. Not Optimising for Local SEO

Local SEO is essential for wellness businesses like yoga studios, massage therapists, and holistic health practitioners who rely on local clients. If your website isn’t optimised for location-based searches, you’re missing out on potential traffic.

How to Fix It:

  • Claim and optimise your Google My Business profile.
  • Use location-specific keywords such as “somatic massage in London” or “best nutritionist in Manchester.”
  • Encourage happy clients to leave Google reviews to improve local rankings (I know this can be awkward, but it’s a game changer).
  • Add your business address, phone number, and operating hours consistently across all platforms.

3. Poor Website Structure and Navigation

A disorganised website confuses visitors and search engines, leading to lower rankings. If your site is difficult to navigate, people will leave quickly, increasing your bounce rate.

How to Fix It:

  • Try to stick to max 5 core pages and use a clear menu structure with easy-to-find service pages.
  • Ensure every page is reachable within three clicks from the homepage.
  • Implement internal linking to guide users through your website seamlessly.

4. Slow Website Speed

Site speed is a critical ranking factor. A slow-loading website frustrates users and causes them to leave before engaging with your content.

How to Fix It:

  • Compress images.
  • Enable browser caching.
  • Minimise unnecessary plugins and scripts.
  • Test your site speed using Google PageSpeed Insights and optimise accordingly.

5. Lack of Mobile Optimisation

More than 60% of Google searches come from mobile devices. If your wellness website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll struggle to rank well and keep visitors engaged.

How to Fix It:

  • Use responsive design to ensure your website adapts to different screen sizes.
  • Improve mobile page load speed by compressing images and using caching.
girl in reformer pilates studio

6. Not Using High-Quality Content

Content is at the heart of SEO marketing for wellness services. If you’re not creating valuable, informative, and engaging content, you’re missing out on organic traffic opportunities.

How to Fix It:

  • Publish blog posts answering common client questions (e.g., “Benefits of Holistic Health Coaching”).
  • Write SEO-optimised content using well-researched keywords.
  • Avoid duplicate content—each page should be unique and valuable.

7. Missing Meta Descriptions and Title Tags

Meta descriptions and title tags help search engines understand your content and encourage users to click your links. Make sure to only use one Title and H1 tag per post (what’s the Difference Between Title and H1?)

How to Fix It:

  • Write compelling, keyword-rich title tags (e.g., “Ten Yoga Exercises to Relieve Burnout”).
  • Keep meta descriptions between 150-160 characters with a clear call to action.
  • Use unique titles and descriptions for every page.

8. Ignoring Backlinks

Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are essential for building authority and improving rankings. Many wellness businesses neglect link-building strategies.

How to Fix It:

  • Reach out to wellness bloggers for guest posting opportunities.
  • Get listed in wellness directories and local business listings.
  • Encourage satisfied clients to share and link to your website.

9. Not Updating Old Content

Google favours fresh, updated content. If your website has outdated blog posts and stale information, you might be losing ranking potential.

How to Fix It:

  • Regularly update old blog posts with new information and keywords (recommended every 6 months).
  • Refresh service pages to keep them relevant.
  • Repurpose existing content into videos, infographics, and social media posts.

10. Neglecting Analytics and Tracking

This should be the absolute number one thing to tick off your to-do list. Many businesses implement SEO strategies without tracking their effectiveness. Without Google Analytics and Google Search Console, you won’t know what’s working and what needs improvement.

How to Fix It:

  • Set up Google Analytics to monitor traffic, bounce rates, and conversions.
  • Use Google Search Console to check for indexing errors and search performance.
  • Regularly check your stats and adjust your strategy based on data insights.

SEO Mistakes FAQ Section

1. What are the most common SEO mistakes wellness businesses make?

The most common SEO mistakes include ignoring local SEO, using the wrong keywords, neglecting mobile optimisation, and failing to track results.

2. How can I optimise my wellness website for local SEO?

To improve local SEO, claim your Google My Business listing, use location-specific keywords, and get client reviews.

3. Why is content important for SEO in the wellness industry?

High-quality content helps attract organic traffic, engage visitors, and position your business as an authority in the wellness space.

4. How do I improve my website speed for better rankings?

Compress images, enable caching, and minimise unnecessary plugins.

5. How can maars marketing help with my wellness SEO strategy?

maars marketing specialises in SEO for wellness services, offering expert keyword research, website optimisation, and content strategies to boost your rankings.

Ilaria Pellegrini is a SEO consultant and blog writer based in London, UK. With 8+ years of brand and digital marketing expertise, since 2023 she started working with wellness and coaching businesses to strengthen their online visibility and increase their chances of discoverability through SEO. https://www.maars.marketing

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