Enterprise SEO is no walk in the park.
Big businesses often struggle to get it right. There are too many moving parts and too many cooks in the kitchen.
One team says one thing, and another says something else. And suddenly, your SEO strategy is all over the place.
(Kindel Media/pexels)
Legacy systems? They don’t help either. They slow you down and eat up resources. Then, there’s the challenge of getting IT on board. Good luck with that.
The problem isn’t a lack of effort. The problem is that most enterprises don’t know where to start or what to prioritize.
This guide will break down the biggest enterprise SEO challenges and show you how to tackle them. Because when done right, SEO can be a powerful growth driver for your firm.
Challenge 1: Outdated Systems
Old systems can be a nightmare. They’re clunky, outdated, and not built for modern SEO. When your CMS mixes old and new software, making even simple updates can become a big project.
Solution: Take time to understand your system’s capabilities. Learn how to handle structured data, redirects, and internal links. If your current system can’t do what you need, it might be time to consider upgrading or migrating to something more SEO-friendly.
Challenge 2: Technical Roadblocks
Even with the best intentions, technical issues can hold you back. Maybe the site’s architecture is outdated. Or the tools you have just aren’t up to the task. It can be difficult to get things done.
Solution: Work closely with the tech team. Make sure they understand what you need and why it matters. If you’re dealing with outdated systems, look for quick fixes that can buy you some time. But if the tools just aren’t cutting it, start making a case for new ones.
Challenge 3: Slow Decision-Making
Decisions in big companies can take forever. You’re waiting weeks for approvals. By the time you get the green light, the opportunity might be gone.
Solution: Break the SEO project into smaller parts. Get approval for one piece at a time. It’s easier for people to say yes to something small. And once they see results, they’re more likely to approve the rest.
Challenge 4: Multiple Domains
Large enterprises often juggle multiple domains. While it might make sense from a business perspective, it can create a mess for SEO. Plus, it’s easy for one domain to cannibalize another’s search visibility.
Solution: Consider consolidating your domains. Merging them into one strong site can improve your rankings and simplify management. Use 301 redirects to guide traffic from old domains to the main ones. But if keeping them separate makes sense, ensure each has a clear, distinct SEO strategy.
Challenge 5: Complex SEO Projects
SEO projects can quickly become complex for large companies. Different teams may manage different sections of the site, and coordinating these efforts can be a nightmare.
Solution: Use a centralized project management tool like Jira or Confluence. Keep everything organized and ensure that all teams know what’s happening. Setting up transparent processes for SEO tasks can help avoid confusion and keep the project on track.
Challenge 6: Wrong SEO Goals
You can have the biggest budget and the best team. But it won’t help if you’re chasing the wrong SEO goals. Many companies focus on creating new content, ignoring the need to optimize pages that actually drive revenue.
Solution: Use data to guide your strategy. Instead of spreading your efforts thin, focus on what’s proven to work. For example, if your product category pages generate the most conversions, prioritize optimizing these over launching new, less critical pages.
Challenge 7: Internal Politics
Sometimes, the biggest obstacle isn’t the website—it’s the people. You have IT, marketing, and product teams, all with their own agendas.
Solution: Practice SEO diplomacy. Understand each team’s goals and show how your SEO strategies align with theirs. Building relationships and trust with key stakeholders can help push your initiatives forward.
Challenge 8: Effective Link Building
In enterprise SEO, typical link-building methods like guest posting just won’t cut it. You’re up against some pretty strong competitors.
Solution: Use your company’s status to build links through partnerships. Collaborate with other big names in your industry. For example, if your company has a sponsorship deal, get mentioned on their site.
Challenge 9: Regional SEO Consistency
If your business operates in multiple regions, keeping your SEO consistent can be a struggle. Different teams may use different strategies, leading to mixed results.
Solution: Develop a global SEO strategy that local teams can adapt. Make sure important elements like keywords and meta tags align with your overarching goals. Regularly review regional sites to ensure they meet your standards.
Challenge 10: Scaling Quality Content Creation
Google loves good content, and that’s not changing anytime soon. However, in enterprise SEO, the real challenge is creating high-quality content at scale. You need to cover all the keywords and all the search intents across the entire customer journey.
Solution: Start by building a strong in-house content team. Make sure they know your brand inside out. Use clear guidelines to keep everything consistent. If you must outsource, choose your freelancers carefully and keep a close eye on their work.
Take Control of Your SEO
These are just a few challenges that come with enterprise SEO. Tackling them head-on takes focus, teamwork, and the right approach.
If you’re looking to prioritize SEO as a channel but find resources stretched thin, partnering with an enterprise SEO company could be the solution you need.
The best companies understand the unique challenges modern enterprises face and can tailor strategies that drive success across all levels of your organization.