It's easy to go awry with Website development - from browser compatibility issues to colors that just don't work out. Search engine optimization, an integral part of website - and beyond - is no exception. Often in ignorance, companies cause their own problems or allow issues to endure. Here are 13 ways you can ruin SEO (but you can avoid these with a little bit of effort): 1. Bring in an SEO specialist after the fact. It happens all of the time. Someone hears about SEO.