When it comes to WordPress SEO, many bloggers focus on popular tactics like keyword optimization and backlink building. However, there are several underrated techniques that can significantly impact your search engine rankings. Here are the top 5 underrated WordPress SEO techniques you should consider implementing:

1. Optimize Your Images: Properly sized and compressed images not only enhance your site's load speed but also improve SEO.
2. Implement Schema Markup: This helps search engines understand your content better and can lead to rich snippets, which boost visibility.
3. Use Internal Linking Wisely: Strategically linking to other posts helps search engines crawl your site while keeping users engaged.
4. Improve Your Site's Loading Speed: Consider using caching plugins and optimizing your database to provide a better user experience.
5. Leverage User-Centric Content: Focus on creating high-quality content that answers users' questions. This not only satisfies search engine algorithms but also encourages social shares and engagement.

When it comes to WordPress SEO, site speed plays a crucial yet often overlooked role. A slow-loading website can lead to higher bounce rates, as visitors are likely to leave if a page takes too long to load. In fact, research has shown that even a one-second delay in loading time can decrease customer satisfaction and conversion rates significantly. To optimize your WordPress site speed, consider minimizing image sizes, leveraging browser caching, and using performance-enhancing plugins.

Moreover, site speed affects not just user experience but also search engine rankings. Search engines like Google intuitively prioritize faster sites in their algorithms. This means that if your WordPress site struggles with speed, it could be missing out on valuable organic traffic. Implementing speed optimization strategies such as using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), optimizing your database, and selecting a reputable hosting service can vastly improve both your site’s performance and your visibility in search results.

Many website owners underestimate the impact of their WordPress theme on SEO performance. A poorly designed theme can lead to several common pitfalls that hinder your site's search engine visibility. For instance, themes that are not optimized for speed can slow down page load times, resulting in higher bounce rates and lower rankings. Additionally, non-responsive themes can create issues for mobile users, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in its rankings. Make sure to choose a theme that adheres to best practices for performance and responsiveness.

Another common problem is the use of excessive or improperly coded elements, such as heavy images and complex animations, which can bog down your site. To remedy these issues, consider implementing the following solutions:

1. Optimize images by compressing them without losing quality.
2. Select a lightweight theme that minimizes unnecessary features.
3. Utilize caching plugins to enhance load times.