You’ve been working hard to grow your business and know that more traffic means more customers. So, you’ve started looking into SEO copywriting. You want your website to rank better, attract more visitors, and convert them into leads or sales. But, as you dive deeper, you feel overwhelmed. You hear things like “keyword optimization,” “meta descriptions,” and “alt tags,” and it all seems complicated. The last thing you want is to invest time and money in copy that doesn’t get the results you need. You’re probably asking yourself, “How can I make sure the SEO copywriting I invest in actually works?”

We get it. At Still Writers, we’ve worked with businesses just like yours for over seven years, helping them overcome these very challenges. Our team has spent years perfecting our skills in marketing, SEO, and Google strategies to help businesses like yours get the results you deserve. We understand the pressure of wanting to get it right and have the expertise to guide you through it.

In this article, we’ll share the 3 biggest problems with SEO copywriting that most businesses face. By the end, you’ll know how to avoid these common pitfalls and set yourself up for success. Whether you decide to work with an SEO copywriting agency or tackle it in-house, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what to watch out for.

 

1. Over-Focusing on Keywords

Many businesses think that SEO copywriting is all about cramming as many keywords as possible into their content. They assume that the more keywords they use, the higher their website will rank on Google. Unfortunately, this approach can do more harm than good.

 

Why It’s a Problem:

Keyword stuffing (overusing keywords in your copy) leads to:

• Poor readability: When every sentence feels like it’s written for search engines instead of people, your audience loses interest.
• Higher bounce rates: Readers leave your site quickly if the content feels forced or repetitive.
• Penalties from Google: Search engines are smarter than ever. If they detect keyword stuffing, your site could drop in rankings or even face penalties.

What Businesses Think:

It’s easy to see why businesses fall into the keyword-stuffing trap. SEO copywriting can seem like a puzzle where keywords are the missing pieces. You may believe that the more keywords, the better your chance of ranking. But the truth is, search engines today prioritize content that helps users, not just content filled with keywords.

 

A Smarter Approach:

Instead of focusing only on keywords, think about user experience. Search engines reward content that:

• Answers questions: Does your content provide valuable information?
• Flows naturally: Does it read well, or does it feel like a list of search terms?
• Builds trust: Does it speak to your audience’s needs and concerns?

What You Should Aim For:

At Still Writers, we believe the key is to balance keywords with quality content. Your copy should be optimized for search engines but written for humans. That’s where you see real results — not just in rankings but in customer engagement.

 

2. Ignoring the User’s Intent

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make with SEO copywriting is focusing too much on what they want to rank for, rather than understanding what their audience is actually searching for. This disconnect between content and user intent can lead to missed opportunities and frustrated visitors.

 

Why It’s a Problem:

When you ignore user intent, you end up with:

• Unmet expectations: Visitors come to your page expecting answers but leave disappointed when they don’t find relevant content.
• Low engagement: If your content doesn’t match what users are looking for, they won’t stick around to read more or explore your site.
• Fewer conversions: Misaligned content results in fewer leads or sales because the information doesn’t solve the problem your potential customers are facing.

What Businesses Think:

It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on the keywords that you think will drive the most traffic. After all, getting visitors to your site is the goal, right? But if your content doesn’t match the intent behind those searches, traffic alone won’t help.

 

Understanding User Intent:

Before writing any piece of SEO copy, it’s crucial to ask yourself:

• What problem is my audience trying to solve?
• What kind of information are they looking for?
• Are they ready to buy, or are they just researching?

 

There are three common types of user intent:

• Informational: Users are looking for knowledge or how-tos.
• Navigational: Users want to find a specific site or page.
• Transactional: Users are ready to make a purchase or take an action.

How to Address User Intent:

At Still Writers, we start by researching what your audience is searching for and why. We then tailor the content to match their needs, ensuring it provides value, answers their questions, and guides them to take the next step.

 

3. Writing for Search Engines, Not Humans

Many businesses fall into the trap of creating content that’s designed purely for search engines. While it may seem like a smart way to boost rankings, writing solely for algorithms can make your content dry, robotic, and unappealing to your real audience—humans.

 

Why It’s a Problem:

When you prioritize search engines over people, you risk:

• Losing your audience’s interest: Content filled with technical jargon, keyword stuffing, or overly complex sentences doesn’t engage readers.
• Lower engagement metrics: Metrics like time on page, scroll depth, and social shares all drop when the content doesn’t speak to real users.
• Reduced conversions: If your copy lacks personality or fails to address readers’ pain points, they won’t feel motivated to take action—whether that’s signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.

What Businesses Think:

Some businesses believe that if they can “game the system” by following all the technical SEO rules, success will follow. But Google’s algorithms are becoming more advanced and can detect content that’s meant for search engines rather than people. What matters most is user satisfaction, not keyword frequency or technical tricks.

Writing for Humans:

Instead of chasing search engine rankings, focus on creating content that:

• Speaks directly to your audience: Use a conversational tone, relatable examples, and clear language.
• Offers real value: Your content should answer questions, solve problems, or provide insights your audience is genuinely interested in.
• Creates a connection: Engaging copy builds trust, which leads to higher customer loyalty and conversions.

How We Handle It:

At Still Writers, we believe SEO copywriting isn’t about choosing between people and search engines. It’s about writing content that serves both. We craft copy that engages your audience first, while still using SEO best practices to improve visibility. This balanced approach delivers real results—not just clicks, but loyal customers.

 

Ready to Avoid These SEO Copywriting Pitfalls?

You came here wanting to understand the biggest problems businesses face with SEO copywriting, and now you know the truth:

• Over-focusing on keywords can hurt readability, customer engagement, and even your rankings.
• Ignoring user intent leads to frustrated visitors who leave your site quickly and don’t convert.
• Writing for search engines, not humans results in dry, robotic content that doesn’t connect with your audience or drive action.

But here’s the good news: these problems are fixable. When you partner with the right SEO copywriting agency, you can create content that ranks well and speaks to your customers.

At Still Writers, we’ve spent over seven years perfecting our craft. We understand how to balance the technical side of SEO with the human touch that makes your content resonate. Whether you’re looking to increase traffic, boost engagement, or convert leads, we’re here to help you succeed.

 

So, why choose us?

• Expertise: We stay on top of the latest SEO strategies to ensure your content ranks and performs.
• Custom solutions: We create content that’s tailored to your audience and goals.
• Results-driven: We don’t just aim for clicks — we aim for meaningful engagement and growth.

Let’s transform your website with SEO copywriting that works for both search engines and your customers. Reach out to Still Writers today, and let’s start getting you the results you deserve!