Did you know that over 70% of blogs are abandoned within their first year? Even more striking: only 5% of blogs make it past their fifth year. These statistics aren’t meant to discourage you—they’re here to help you avoid the pitfalls that cause so many bloggers to throw in the towel.
Whether you’re just starting your blogging journey or you’re looking to revitalise your existing blog, understanding these seven common blogging mistakes to avoid when you’re starting a blog, could be the difference between joining the statistics or breaking free from them.
Common Blogging Mistakes You Want to Avoid
Here are seven blogging mistakes and how to fix it!
1. Not Being Consistent
Nothing kills blog content momentum faster than an erratic posting schedule. Your readers are like morning coffee drinkers—they crave regularity. When your content appears randomly, you’re not just confusing your audience; you’re also sending negative signals to search engines.
How to Fix It:
- Choose a realistic posting frequency (weekly is often ideal for beginners)
- Create an editorial calendar (use tools like Trello or Airtable)
- Batch create content during your peak productivity hours
- Schedule posts in advance using your platform’s built-in tools
2. Blog SEO Mistakes
Think of SEO (search engine optimisation) as your blog’s GPS system—without it, you’re invisible to potential readers, you want your blog content to display in search engine results. Many niche bloggers create fantastic content that never finds its audience simply because they overlook basic SEO principles.
Essential SEO Checklist:
- Research keywords before writing blog posts
- Optimise title tags and meta descriptions
- Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) strategically
- Include alt text for images
- Create internal links between related posts to boost traffic to your blog
“The best place to hide a dead body is page 2 of Google search results.” – Unknown
3. Quality Blog Content Matters
Poor quality content is like serving a microwave dinner at a gourmet restaurant—your readers expect better. The internet is flooded with mediocre content; yours needs to stand out.
Quality Control Checklist:
- Research thoroughly before writing
- Back claims with credible sources
- Proofread multiple times
- Include unique insights and perspectives
- Add valuable examples and case studies
4. Ignoring Audience Engagement
| Engagement Type | Why It Matters | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Comments | Builds community | Respond within 24 hours |
| Social Media | Extends reach | Post consistent updates |
| Direct connection | Regular newsletters |
Your blog isn’t a monologue—it’s a conversation. When readers take the time to engage, and read your blog they’re inviting you to build a relationship.
5. Not Leveraging Social Media and Email Marketing
One of the most common mistakes is simply publishing content, this isn’t enough. Your blog needs a promotional strategy as robust as your content strategy so keep this in make when writing your blog content.
Promotion Channels:
- Social Media Marketing
- Share posts across all platforms
- Create platform-specific content
- Engage with industry influencers
- Email Marketing
- Build an email list from day one
- Create valuable newsletters
- Segment your audience
- Community Engagement
- Participate in relevant forums
- Answer questions on Quora
- Guest post on other blogs
6. Avoiding Your Analytics
One of the most common blogging mistakes by new bloggers is not tracking your blog’s performance is like driving with your eyes closed. You need data to make informed decisions.
Key Metrics to Track:
- Page views
- Time on site
- Bounce rate
- Popular content
- Traffic sources
- Conversion rates
7. Giving Up Too Soon
Success in blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. Many bloggers quit just as they’re about to break through.
Success Timeline:
- Months 1-3: Building foundation
- Months 4-6: Growing audience
- Months 7-12: Gaining traction
- Year 2+: Establishing authority
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
Here’s your plan of action to avoid making these blogging mistakes in the future.
- Immediate Actions
- Set up an editorial calendar
- Install Google Analytics
- Create a promotion checklist
- Weekly Tasks
- Review analytics
- Engage with readers
- Promote content
- Monthly Reviews
- Analyse top-performing content
- Adjust strategy as needed
- Plan content for next month
Resources and Tools
- Content Planning: Trello, Airtable
- SEO: Yoast SEO, Ahrefs
- Analytics: Google Analytics, Monster Insights
- Writing: Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, Canva Magic Write
- Promotion: Vista Social, Metricool
Conclusion
Avoiding these seven of the biggest blogging mistakes won’t guarantee overnight success – blogging takes time. It will put you on the path to sustainable growth and have a blogging strategy in place that will help you appeal to your target audience and help you set up a successful blog. Remember, every successful blogger started exactly where you are now. The difference is they persisted, learned from their mistakes, and kept improving.
Have you encountered any of these blogging mistakes? Share your experiences and solutions in the comments below!
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