For businesses in Malaysia, having a WordPress website is a great way to establish an online presence. However, many website owners unknowingly make SEO mistakes that prevent their sites from ranking well on Google. Even though WordPress is an SEO-friendly platform, improper optimization can negatively impact visibility. In this guide, we’ll explore the common WordPress SEO mistakes Malaysian website owners should avoid and how to fix them to improve search rankings in 2025.
1. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
With the majority of Malaysians browsing the internet on their smartphones, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites. One of the biggest SEO mistakes is not optimizing for mobile users. A poorly designed mobile experience can lead to higher bounce rates and lower rankings. To fix this, choose a responsive WordPress theme, use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check your site’s performance, and optimize fonts, images, and buttons to ensure easy navigation on smaller screens.
2. Not Using an SEO Plugin
One of the advantages of WordPress is its ability to integrate with SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. Many Malaysian website owners fail to install and configure these plugins, missing out on valuable SEO recommendations. A good SEO plugin helps optimize meta titles, descriptions, keywords, sitemaps, and schema markup. To improve rankings, install a trusted SEO plugin and follow the on-page optimization suggestions it provides.
3. Poor Keyword Optimization
Keyword optimization is the foundation of SEO, yet many WordPress site owners either ignore keywords or overuse them unnaturally. Some businesses fail to conduct proper keyword research, leading to the use of low-traffic or irrelevant keywords. To avoid this mistake, use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to find high-search-volume, low-competition keywords relevant to the Malaysian market. Include these keywords naturally in your titles, headings, URLs, and content to improve search visibility.
4. Using Generic Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Page titles and meta descriptions are crucial for SEO, yet many WordPress users leave them default or poorly optimized. A generic title like “Home – My Business” does not help search engines understand your content. Instead, craft SEO-friendly titles with relevant keywords, keeping them under 60 characters. Your meta descriptions should be compelling, under 160 characters, and include action words to encourage clicks.
Example:
Title: “Best Digital Marketing Agency in Malaysia – Boost Your Online Presence”
Meta Description: “Looking for top-rated digital marketing services in Malaysia? Our experts provide SEO, PPC, and web design solutions to help your business grow!”
5. Ignoring Image SEO (Alt Text and Compression)
Search engines cannot “see” images, so adding alt text helps Google understand their content. Many WordPress users forget to add descriptive alt text to images, missing an opportunity for better rankings. Additionally, large image files slow down website speed, affecting SEO performance. To fix this, always add keyword-rich alt text to images and use compression plugins like Smush or ShortPixel to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality.
6. Not Optimizing URLs (Permalinks)
A clean URL structure improves SEO and makes it easier for users to understand page content. Many WordPress sites have default URLs like:
❌ www.example.com/?p=123
Instead, use SEO-friendly URLs with relevant keywords:
✅ www.example.com/wordpress-seo-malaysia
To change permalink settings, go to WordPress Dashboard → Settings → Permalinks and select Post Name as your default URL structure.
7. Slow Website Speed Due to Poor Optimization
Website speed is a ranking factor, yet many WordPress site owners ignore performance optimization. Slow-loading websites frustrate users and increase bounce rates, leading to lower rankings. To improve speed, choose a fast hosting provider like Exabytes, SiteGround, or A2 Hosting, install caching plugins like WP Rocket, and enable lazy loading for images and videos. Regularly test your site with Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.
8. Lack of Internal Linking Strategy
Internal linking helps Google understand your site structure and keeps visitors engaged. Many Malaysian websites fail to link relevant pages together, missing an opportunity to pass SEO value across their site. When writing blog posts, link to related content, service pages, or product pages using descriptive anchor text. For example, in a blog post about SEO strategies, link to a service page about SEO consultation.
9. Not Building High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are one of the most important SEO ranking factors, yet many WordPress users fail to actively build quality backlinks. Some businesses rely solely on social media traffic or paid ads, ignoring the importance of organic link-building. To improve rankings, get listed in Malaysian directories, collaborate with local influencers, write guest posts on reputable Malaysian blogs, and participate in business partnerships to earn high-authority backlinks.
10. Not Submitting a Sitemap to Google Search Console
A sitemap helps Google crawl and index your site efficiently. Many WordPress website owners forget to submit their sitemap to Google Search Console, causing indexing delays. To fix this, use Yoast SEO or Rank Math to generate an XML sitemap, then submit it through Google Search Console. This ensures Google can quickly find and rank your pages.
11. Neglecting Local SEO for Malaysian Businesses
If your business targets local customers, optimizing for local SEO is essential. Many Malaysian businesses fail to set up a Google My Business (GMB) profile, add location-based keywords, or encourage Google reviews. To rank higher in local search results, register your business on Google My Business, ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency, and use location-specific keywords throughout your site.
12. Forgetting to Update and Refresh Content
Google favors fresh, relevant content, yet many WordPress site owners publish content once and never update it. Outdated information hurts your credibility and rankings. To improve SEO, regularly update old blog posts with new data, images, and internal links. Repurpose existing content into videos, infographics, or social media posts to maximize reach.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common WordPress SEO mistakes can significantly improve your website’s rankings in Malaysia. Focus on mobile optimization, keyword research, URL structure, site speed, and backlinks to boost organic traffic and attract more customers. If you’re unsure how to fix SEO issues, consider hiring a WordPress SEO consultant to optimize your website for Google rankings in 2025.
