Last Updated on by Azib Yaqoob
If you’re a coach or consultant trying to get more clients online, you’ve probably heard that SEO is essential. But here’s the thing—many coaches invest in SEO without knowing what actually works, and end up making critical mistakes that hold back their growth.
In this post, we’ll cover five common SEO mistakes coaches and consultants make—and more importantly, how to fix them.
Table of Contents
1. Targeting Broad, Competitive Keywords
❌ The Mistake:
Many coaches go after broad keywords like “life coach” or “business consultant.” These terms are extremely competitive and dominated by big websites or directories.
✅ The Fix:
Use long-tail keywords instead. These are more specific and often show buyer intent. For example:
- Instead of “business coach,” try “business coach for female entrepreneurs in California.”
- Instead of “career coaching,” try “career coach for tech professionals making a transition.”
Use tools like Google Autocomplete, AnswerThePublic, or Ubersuggest to discover these phrases. You’ll get better rankings, faster.
2. Having a Pretty Website but Poor SEO Structure
❌ The Mistake:
Your website looks good but isn’t built to rank. No proper headings, missing metadata, and no keyword targeting. Google can’t understand what your site is about.
✅ The Fix:
Structure your site with SEO in mind:
- Use one H1 tag per page with a clear keyword.
- Break up content with H2 and H3 subheadings.
- Write unique meta titles and descriptions for each page.
- Make sure your URLs are clean:
yourwebsite.com/leadership-coaching, notyourwebsite.com/page123.
This helps search engines crawl your site effectively—and helps visitors find what they’re looking for.
3. Ignoring Local SEO Opportunities
❌ The Mistake:
Many coaches and consultants assume SEO is only global—but local traffic converts better.
✅ The Fix:
If you work with clients in your city, optimize for local SEO:
- Create and optimize your Google Business Profile.
- Add location-specific keywords to your site: “Executive coach in Denver.”
- Include your business address in your footer and contact page.
Local SEO helps you show up in map packs and “near me” searches, which often bring high-converting leads.
4. Writing Blog Posts No One Searches For
❌ The Mistake:
You’re creating content regularly, but not getting any traffic. That’s because you’re writing what you think is helpful—not what people are actually searching for.
✅ The Fix:
Do keyword research before writing. Focus on content your audience is actively Googling.
Examples of high-intent blog topics:
- “How to choose the right leadership coach”
- “Pricing for executive coaching in 2025”
- “Career coaching vs mentorship: What’s the difference?”
Make every post solve a specific question or pain point. Add FAQs and clear calls to action at the end.
5. Not Tracking What’s Working (or Failing)
❌ The Mistake:
You’re posting content, but have no idea what’s bringing traffic, leads, or conversions.
✅ The Fix:
Track everything:
- Use Google Analytics to monitor traffic and behavior.
- Use Google Search Console to track your keyword rankings.
- Set up goals like contact form submissions or downloads to measure conversions.
This data helps you focus your efforts where they matter most—and stop wasting time on what doesn’t work.
SEO for coaches and consultants isn’t about tricks or hacks—it’s about understanding your audience, targeting the right keywords, and building a strong content foundation.
If you’re making any of the mistakes above, you’re not alone. But now, you know how to fix them.
🚀 Ready to Start Ranking?
I help coaches and consultants create SEO strategies that bring in real, paying clients. If you’re tired of guessing what works, let’s talk.
👉 Schedule a free strategy call here and start turning Google traffic into coaching clients.
