SEO for Coaches: 5 Website Mistakes That Kill Your Rankings

You’re a coach with valuable insights to share. You’ve built your website, invested in SEO, and created content.

But why is no one finding you on Google?

Small SEO mistakes could silently keep your coaching business invisible.

The truth is, SEO for Coaches is not just about adding keywords and hoping for the best. It requires a strategic approach that ensures your website is structured, optimized, and positioned to attract the right audience. Even the most valuable content can get lost in search results without the proper foundation.

Many coaching websites face ranking challenges due to technical and strategic mistakes that often go unnoticed. Even well-optimized coaching sites need to refine their approach to stay visible continuously. Minor issues like slow load times, weak keyword targeting, and missing on-page optimizations may seem minor, but they can significantly impact. When these problems are left unaddressed, competitors who get them right will continue to attract the clients you are trying to reach.

The good news is that these challenges are common and, more importantly, fixable.

In this guide, we will walk through five critical website issues that could be hurting your rankings. More importantly, we will provide precise, actionable fixes to help your coaching business stand out on Google.

A Slow Website is Costing You Clients

Have you ever clicked on a website, waited for it to load, and left because it took too long? You are not alone. Most visitors will not wait more than three seconds before moving on. If your coaching website is slow, potential clients might never see what you offer.

Why Slow Speed Hurts Your Rankings

A sluggish website does more than frustrate visitors. It affects how search engines rank your site and how users interact. Here is why speed matters:

  • Google favors fast websites. If your site is slow, it signals a poor experience, which can lower your rankings.

  • Visitors leave quickly. Search engines assume your site is useless if people click away before engaging with your content.

  • Mobile users are the most affected. Since most searches happen on mobile devices, a slow site makes it harder to keep potential clients interested.

How to Fix It

The good news is you do not need a complete site overhaul to see improvements. Here are some simple ways to speed up your website:

  • Check your site speed. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to find what is slowing your site down.

     

  • Reduce image file sizes. Large images can drag download times.

     

  • Enable browser caching. This helps returning visitors load your site faster by saving certain elements instead of reloading them each time.

     

  • Remove unnecessary plugins and themes. If using WordPress, stick to a lightweight theme and keep essential plugins.

     

  • Upgrade your hosting plan. A better hosting provider can make a big difference if your site is still slow despite these fixes.

A fast website keeps visitors engaged, improves rankings, and increases the chances of turning traffic into clients. If your site is lagging, now is the time to fix it.

Your Website Needs the Right Keywords to Attract Clients

Having a website is not enough. If potential clients cannot find you on Google, your site is not doing its job. A weak or missing keyword strategy is one of the biggest reasons coaching websites struggle with rankings.

Many coaches assume that mentioning their profession is enough to appear in search results. SEO for Coaches requires a clear keyword plan matching what potential clients are searching for.

Common Keyword Mistakes Coaches Make

Many coaching websites miss out on traffic because they:

  • Target broad, highly competitive terms. A keyword like “life coach” is too general and dominated by big-name websites. A phrase like “life coach for career transitions” has a better chance of bringing in the right audience.

  • Do not place keywords where they matter. If your target keywords are missing from page titles, headers, and content, search engines will have a more challenging time understanding what your site is about.

  • Overlook local searches. If you work with clients in a specific city or region, leaving out location-based keywords means missing out on people searching for “business coach in Miami” or “relationship coach in Dallas.”

How to Fix It

Building a strong keyword strategy does not have to be complicated. Here are a few steps to help your site attract the right audience:

  • Use keyword research tools. Free tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you find search terms your potential clients use.

     

  • Focus on specific phrases. Instead of broad terms, use long, detailed search phrases like “SEO for health coaches” or “leadership coaching for first-time managers” to connect with clients looking for exactly what you offer.

     

  • Place keywords where they count. Use them naturally in your page titles, headings, content, and URLs, but avoid forcing them in too often.

     

  • Create content that answers client questions. Consider what your ideal clients are searching for and write blog posts or service pages addressing those topics. For example, a blog titled “How to Find the Right Life Coach for Career Changes” is more likely to attract someone looking for coaching services.

Without a strong keyword strategy, even the best website will struggle to reach the right audience. Choosing the right keywords and using them effectively makes it easier for clients to find you when they need your help.

Your Website’s Structure Could Be Hurting Your SEO

You might have the best coaching content, but if your website is not set up correctly, search engines will struggle to understand and rank it. A well-structured site helps Google find and index your pages while making it easier for potential clients to navigate your content.

Common On-Page SEO Issues That Hurt Rankings

Many coaching websites miss out on valuable search traffic because of these structural problems:

Many coaching websites miss out on valuable search traffic because of these structural problems:

  • Missing or weak title tags and meta descriptions. These short snippets help Google and visitors understand what your page is about. Without them, your site could get overlooked in search results.

     

  • Poor heading structure. Search engines scan headings (H1, H2, H3) to determine how content is organized. A lack of proper formatting can make it harder for Google to rank your page.

     

  • Broken links that lead to nowhere. If visitors keep landing on error pages, they will leave quickly. Search engines also take this as a sign that your site is outdated or unreliable.

     

  • Confusing URLs. A web address like yourwebsite.com/page12345 gives no context, while yourwebsite.com/life-coach-for-career-growth immediately tells Google and visitors what the page is about.

How to Fix It

Improving your site’s structure does not have to be complicated. Here are some simple steps to improve your on-page SEO:

  • Write clear and engaging title tags. Keep them under 60 characters and include relevant keywords. Example: “SEO for Coaches: How to Get More Clients Online”

     

  • Use a structured heading format. For better readability and SEO, keep your main page title as H1, section headers as H2, and subtopics under each section as H3.

     

  • Find and fix broken links. Use tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to identify links that no longer work and update or remove them.

     

  • Make URLs clear and meaningful. Instead of generic links with random numbers, use descriptive URLs like yourwebsite.com/seo-for-coaches to help search engines, and users understand the page at a glance.

A well-structured website does more than improve search rankings. It helps visitors find information quickly, keeps them engaged, and increases the chances of turning them into paying clients. Minor fixes in your site’s layout and content structure can make a noticeable difference in search engine performance and user experience.

Weak Content Is Holding Your Website Back

One of the biggest mistakes coaches make with SEO is not having enough valuable content. Google prioritizes websites that provide helpful information and demonstrate expertise. If your site lacks strong, engaging content, ranking well and attracting the right audience becomes harder.

Why Content Matters for SEO

High-quality content is more than just words on a page. It directly affects how well your website ranks and how visitors interact with your site. Here is why it matters:

  • Google favors websites that consistently share helpful content. Regularly publishing well-researched blog posts, guides, and resources signals that your site is active and relevant.

  • Thin, generic content does not build trust. If your content barely scratches the surface of a topic, visitors will leave without taking action, which hurts engagement.

  • Strong content helps establish authority. Blog posts, FAQs, and case studies position you as an expert while attracting more search traffic.

How to Strengthen Your Content Strategy

If you want your website to stand out, your content needs to provide real value. Here are some ways to improve it:

  • Write detailed blog posts that answer common questions. Instead of surface-level advice, provide step-by-step guidance and real-life examples. For instance, a post titled “How to Overcome Self-Doubt as a New Coach” will attract readers looking for practical help.

  • Showcase real success stories. Use case studies and client testimonials to highlight how your coaching has helped others. A detailed before-and-after story can build credibility and attract more inquiries.

  • Offer downloadable resources. Create checklists, templates, or guides that visitors can use right away. A “30-Day Goal-Setting Workbook” or a “Client Discovery Call Script” can encourage people to stay on your site longer and share your content.

  • Keep your content up to date. Refresh old posts with new insights, update statistics, and refine outdated advice to keep your content relevant.

Your content must exceed the basics to stand out in your coaching niche. By sharing well-researched, engaging material, you will improve your rankings and build trust with potential clients.

Your Website Needs a Clear Next Step

Bringing visitors to your coaching website is only half the battle. What happens once they arrive? Many coaches lose potential clients because their site does not guide visitors toward taking action. Whether booking a call, downloading a free resource, or learning more about your services, your website should make the next step obvious.

Signs Your Call to Action is Weak or Missing

If visitors are not converting into leads or clients, your calls to action (CTAs) need improvement. Here are a few common issues:

  • There are no clear instructions on what to do next. If visitors have to figure out where to go or what to click, they will likely leave instead.

  • Buttons and forms are hard to find. If your contact form or scheduling button is buried in the footer, most visitors will miss it.

  • The CTA text does not encourage action. A generic “Click Here” does not tell visitors why they should take the next step.

How to Make Your CTA More Effective

A strong call to action makes it easy for visitors to take the next step. Here is how to improve yours:

  • Use clear, action-focused text. Instead of “Click Here,” say “Book a Free Strategy Call” or “Get Your Personalized Coaching Plan.”

     

  • Make your CTA stand out visually. Use bold buttons, contrasting colors, and easy-to-read text so visitors do not need to search for it.

     

  • Repeat your CTA in key places. Include it on your homepage, service pages, and even blog posts to remind visitors what action to take.

     

  • Reduce friction in the process. By Minimizing the number of steps required to complete an action. For example, a short contact form is more effective than one that asks for too much information upfront.

If your website does not guide potential clients toward taking action, you are missing opportunities to turn visitors into paying clients. A well-placed and well-worded CTA can make all the difference in converting interest into results.

Conclusion

SEO for coaches isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about creating a lasting foundation that builds trust with search engines and potential clients. If your site struggles to rank well, these five common mistakes could be in your way.

Improving critical areas like site speed, keyword strategy, on-page SEO, content quality, and calls to action (CTAs) will position your coaching business for growth. Addressing these issues will help you reach the right audience and convert them into loyal clients.

At Kherk Roldan SEO Coaching, we know how challenging it can be to get your coaching business noticed online. SEO is one of the most effective tools for increasing long-term visibility, but only if applied correctly.

Don’t let small SEO mistakes hold back your coaching business. Get expert insights on how to fix them. Book your FREE SEO audit today and start ranking where your ideal clients can find you!

ABOUT KHERK

Kherk Roldan is a Philippine-based SEO Expert who has been in the industry for 10 years record time. Kherk is a Filipino influencer who has helped 1000+ students and business owners to grow their business online using SEO and Google Ads. He’s featured on Yahoo and many News sites in the Philippines.