In today’s digital landscape, it might seem like large companies with substantial marketing budgets have SEO mastered. But the reality is far from that. Many well-established brands (Do not worry, we are not naming names😉) still struggle with fundamental SEO issues that hinder their search performance, degrade user experience, and tarnish their online reputation.

From neglecting routine website maintenance to failing to scale effectively, these common mistakes could be costing businesses millions in lost traffic and revenue. But not for you, lucky person! To help ensure you are not falling victim to these all-too-simple mistakes, we are giving you a closer look at where big brands are going wrong, and how these mistakes can be easily fixed and, more importantly, avoided.

1. Neglecting Website Maintenance: The Silent Killer

Many large corporations treat their websites like static storefronts, thinking that once they are up and running, the job is done. But this mindset can be a costly mistake. Neglecting regular maintenance leads to a host of technical SEO issues, from outdated content and slow loading times to frustrating indexing problems. Without ongoing care, even the most impressive websites can quickly fall behind, losing valuable traffic and potentially tarnishing their online reputation compared to their more tech-savvy competitors.

The Impact:

  • Declining search rankings: Google prioritises well-maintained sites. Outdated content, slow performance, or crawl errors can result in lower rankings.
  • Poor user retention: If visitors land on a slow, unresponsive website, they are unlikely to return.
  • Security risks: A neglected website is more vulnerable to security threats, which can lead search engines to flag it as unsafe.

Did you know that 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a website after a poor experience? This is something that can be so easily avoided! Regular website audits and quick updates are key to keeping your website user-friendly and in top shape. By implementing crucial routine website audits, you can begin to actively identify and fix issues like broken links, slow loading times, and duplicate content. This is hugely important for those sites with huge storefronts to ensure that their site remains healthy. Implementing a robust content management system (CMS) and scheduling regular updates will prevent technical issues from accumulating.

2. Poor UX: Why User Experience is Just as Important as Keywords

SEO is not just about cramming in keywords and building backlinks. It’s about crafting a smooth, intuitive experience that keeps users engaged. Yet, many large brands get it wrong by bombarding their visitors with excessive ads, annoying pop-ups, and confusing navigation.

These distractions not only frustrate users but also hurt the overall experience, leading to higher bounce rates and lost opportunities. The way to fix this is simple. Less is more, and speed is everything.

The Impact:

  • Higher bounce rates: Visitors are quick to abandon websites that are frustrating to use. This could lead to them purchasing from a direct competitor as a result.
  • Lower engagement: Poor UX results in shorter site visits, fewer page views, and reduced conversions. An absolute disaster for a business that relies so heavily on online sales.
  • Negative brand perception: A difficult-to-navigate site can erode consumer trust and make the brand appear outdated or unprofessional. Keeping on top of your online presence as well as the physical store is crucial for brand cohesion and overall reputation for your brand.

With around 82% of the UK population shopping online in 2025, having a smooth, user-friendly experience can make all the difference in retaining visitors. If users have a poor experience on your site, they are unlikely to return. Your website and the overall performance play a pivotal role in boosting your sales!

The Solution:

Create a website that feels effortless to navigate, on any device. Prioritise a sleek, mobile-responsive design, streamline navigation, and ditch the distractions that drive users away. Pay close attention to Google’s Core Web Vitals, as they do not just influence rankings; they shape the entire user experience, keeping visitors engaged and coming back for more.

3. Scalability Issues: The Danger of Growing Too Fast

Big brands are quick to expand their digital footprint, but without a solid foundation, that growth can turn into chaos. A poorly planned website can become a tangled mess of disorganised pages, sluggish performance, and content management nightmares, ultimately hurting both user experience and search rankings. Scaling fast is great, but scaling smart is what truly sets successful brands apart.

The Impact:

  • Crawlability issues: Search engines struggle to navigate poorly structured websites, which can harm visibility.
  • Diluted authority: Multiple similar pages competing for the same keyword can lead to keyword cannibalisation, lowering rankings and making it harder for users to get to what they need.
  • Inconsistent branding: Rapid, disorganised expansion can cause fragmented messaging across regions and platforms.

The Solution:

Think of your website as a growing city. Without a solid blueprint, it quickly becomes a maze of dead ends and bottlenecks. A well-planned, scalable architecture with a clear URL structure and taxonomy is the backbone of long-term success. By aligning content strategy with future growth, businesses can expand seamlessly without sacrificing site performance, user experience, or search visibility.

4. Broken Links: Why Fixing Them is Non-Negotiable

Nothing frustrates online shoppers more than clicking on a product, only to hit a dead end. Yet, many large eCommerce brands are riddled with broken links and outdated product listings, from 404 errors on deleted pages to links leading to out-of-stock items. These hidden roadblocks do not just annoy customers; they damage SEO, weaken site authority, and drive potential buyers straight into the arms of competitors.

The Impact:

  • Frustrated customers: Users who encounter broken links or unavailable products are unlikely to return.
  • Loss of link equity: Broken links waste valuable SEO authority, reducing the overall strength of the domain.
  • Decreased conversions: Visitors who land on dead-end pages are less likely to make a purchase.

The Solution:

The solution is so simple. Regularly audit both internal and external links to identify and fix broken links. For eCommerce sites, automate stock updates and ensure that discontinued products have appropriate redirects or suggestions for alternatives. If you are looking for a system that can help to keep this as streamlined as possible and remove the need for manual input, then a platform such as Shopify is best suited.

5. Ignoring Local SEO: Why Large Companies Cannot Afford to Ignore It

Even the biggest brands can go unnoticed. Many large companies with physical locations fail to optimise for local search, leaving potential customers struggling to find them. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) details, neglected Google Business Profiles, and a lack of localised content can push them out of local search results, sending valuable foot traffic straight to competitors who got it right.

The Impact:

  • Loss of local traffic: Potential customers searching for nearby services will not find the business. Terrible for large businesses with several stores up and down the country.
  • Lower map rankings: Google prioritises well-optimised listings in local search results.
  • Trust issues: Inconsistent or missing business information leads to frustration and a loss of consumer confidence.

The Solution:

Ensure that all local business information is consistent and accurate across directories. Optimise Google Business Profiles with regular updates, positive customer reviews, and relevant local content. Do not be afraid to respond to those reviews. Yes, even the negative ones! This touch point could be the difference between you and your competitors.

6. Failing to Optimise for Voice Search: A Missed Opportunity

“Hey Google, where’s the nearest coffee shop?” With voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant becoming a staple in daily life, brands that ignore voice SEO are missing a huge opportunity. Yet, many big companies still optimise for stiff, text-based searches instead of the natural, conversational questions people ask. Why? Around 20.5% of people worldwide are using their voice to search! If your content is not voice-search-friendly, you are not just losing rankings; you are losing real customers in real-time.

The Impact:

  • Missed opportunities: Voice search is growing rapidly, especially for local queries, and failure to optimise means missing this valuable traffic source.
  • Lower featured snippet chances: Voice assistants pull information from featured snippets, which many brands fail to target.
  • Decreased mobile traffic: Mobile users are increasingly relying on voice commands and not optimising for voice search impacts mobile visibility.

The Solution:

Target conversational, long-tail keywords and structure content in FAQ-style formats. Implement schema markup to improve visibility in featured snippets and increase chances of being selected as a voice search result.

Don’t Let These Mistakes Hold You Back

Even the biggest brands are not immune to SEO mistakes. Neglecting website maintenance, offering a poor user experience, failing to scale properly, and ignoring key SEO elements can all lead to lost rankings, reduced traffic, and a weakened online reputation. But the good news? These mistakes are entirely avoidable.

With a staggering 82% of the UK population shopping online and 83.5% of businesses relying on their website for success, there is no room for a weak digital presence. A well-optimised, user-friendly site is not just an advantage; it is a necessity. By committing to ongoing improvements, prioritising seamless user experiences, and mastering technical SEO, large companies can stay at the top of search results and keep customers coming back. Do not wait until these SEO blunders start costing you traffic and revenue. Audit your website today and make the fixes that will keep you ahead in the ever-evolving digital race.

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Posted in SEO