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The road to a successful blogging career can be long and challenging. If you’re just starting out, keep in mind that obstacles are inevitable. In this post, we present 10 common mistakes many new bloggers make along with actionable fixes.
These insights will help you streamline your blogging process and improve your chances of success.
1. Not Saving Work (Often)
This can be a game changer in your blogging career. Many of us have spent hours or days composing content only to discover it was accidentally deleted. To avoid this, save your work frequently. You can do this manually or rely on WordPress autosave, which saves every 60 seconds by default. Adjust this interval under Settings > Writing. You’ll know it’s working if you see the Autosave indicator in the upper-right corner of your Post Edit screen.
2. Not Submitting Posts to Google Index
Some bloggers write posts and wait months before seeing results. Google evaluates whether your content fits its algorithm and answers relevant queries. Many beginners never see their posts on Google because they never submit them for indexing. Make sure to submit your posts to improve visibility.
3. Not Using Original Images When Possible
We aim to use as many original images as possible, though stock images are practical until a professional photographer is hired. If you can take your own photos, do it. While Google’s exact ranking criteria for images are unclear, original images help your content stand out. Starting out, don’t stress—develop the habit over time.
4. Not Reaching Out to Other Bloggers
Networking with like-minded bloggers can lead to collaborations that boost your success. Platforms like Intellifluence host thousands of bloggers and influencers seeking collaboration. Even a single partnership can significantly impact your blogging career.
5. Installing Too Many Plug-ins
Website speed affects Google rankings. Avoid excess plug-ins that slow down WordPress. Keep plug-ins to a minimum—ideally under 10. Prioritize essential security plug-ins like Wordfence and CleanTalk. Review your plug-ins regularly and remove unnecessary ones for better performance.
6. Not Checking Spelling and Grammar Before Hitting Post
Eliminating spelling and grammar errors improves professionalism. We use Grammarly for accuracy, even if it requires stepping outside WordPress, as it’s preferable to installing a plug-in that could slow the site.
7. Not Including Alt Text for Photos
Alt text helps Google understand your images. Lack of alt text can hurt your site’s ranking. To find media missing alt text, we use the plug-in Fix Alt Text.
8. Not Offering Something to Visitors
Provide an opt-in or free resource to engage visitors. If someone reads your blog but leaves without action, you lose potential clients. For instance, offer a video or checklist relevant to your content. We use GetResponse to create unlimited forms and collect leads seamlessly in WordPress.
9. Ignoring Blogging When You’re on the Go
Most people have a smartphone, and blogging tasks can often be managed on the go. Identify which activities are best on mobile versus desktop to save time. If writer’s block slows you down, check out my article Eliminate Writer’s Block for tips to overcome mental roadblocks.
10. Breaking Your Site in the File Editor
Editing files without expertise can cause major issues. I learned this the hard way when trying to speed up my site with code changes. Leave file editing to professionals to avoid loss of work and wasted time.
Last Updated on January 2, 2026
by Daniel Zohar
I’m an entrepreneur and digital marketing enthusiast who loves helping people grow—not just in affiliate marketing, but in all areas of online business. I enjoy showing others how to build a strong brand, create meaningful content, and use tools that make work easier. Over the years, I’ve learned what truly works in digital marketing, from creating websites that convert to building an engaged audience through email and social media. After more than ten years in the field, I’ve gathered plenty of lessons I enjoy sharing through my writing and talks. I use my own experiences to help others reach their goals and build something lasting. Besides running my business, I’m a fiction writer in the speculative genre, with dozens of short stories published in various magazines and anthologies. For eighteen years, I was a Top 10% Reviewer at Zoetrope, an online venue for creatives, where I helped members strengthen their writing. When I’m not working as a writer or marketer, you’ll probably find me cooking, reading, or watching a good baseball game. I live in New York City, where I was born and raised.