Two of the many factors Google uses to rank a website are spelling and grammar. So not only can the incorrect use of a word look unprofessional, it can also lead to a lower ranking on Google.
We’ve listed some of the most commonly misspelled words below. Our advice – make sure you check your website content carefully before it goes live. Or even better, get a fresh pair of eyes to review it for you.
ACCEPT (to receive)
I accept your offer.
VS
EXCEPT (to leave out or take out; make an exception of)
When I go on holiday I pack everything except the kitchen sink!
AFFECT (to influence; produce a change in; to stir the emotions)
The cat’s death affected its owners.
VS
EFFECT (anything brought about by a cause or an agent; result)
The new speed limit had little effect on motorists’ behaviour.
A LOT (many) – always two words, not one word
A lot of people came to the networking event.
VS
ALLOT (to distribute, give or design)
Ten minutes were allotted to each speaker at the networking event.
ALLUSION (an indirect reference)
He makes vague allusions to Harry Potter being his son.
VS
ILLUSION (a false idea or conception; misleading appearance or image)
The magician created the illusion that he was levitating.
BORROW (to take or accept something for a short time)
May I borrow your iPad please?
VS
LEND (to give something for a short time)
Could you lend me your iPad please?
CACHE (a safe place to store supplies; anything stored there; computing auxiliary memory)
The weapons were left in a cache under the tree.
VS
CASH (money; currency)
Do you have any cash in your wallet?
DESERT (to leave without permission; dry sandy area)
Soldiers should not desert their posts, especially in the desert.
VS
DESSERT (sweet pudding)
They ate two desserts each.
IT’S (contraction of IT and IS)
It’s very sunny outside.
VS
ITS (belonging to)
The cat will only eat its food when I’m not there.
LOOSE (not tight, giving enough room)
He lost a stone and now his jeans are loose.
VS
LOSE (to become unable to find; to fail to win)
Did you lose your iPhone again?
PRINCIPAL (first; most important; a governing officer)
Its principal function is to provide information about a business.
VS
PRINCIPLE (a fundamental truth or governing doctrine)
Their parents instilled them with strong principles from an early age.
STATIONARY (not moving; fixed or still)
I was stuck in stationary traffic on the motorway for two hours.
VS
STATIONERY (writing materials; paper and envelopes etc)
I’ve taken some pens out of the stationery cupboard.
THEIR (of; belonging to; made by; done by them)
They were proud of their new website.
VS
THERE (that place or point)
I parked the car over there.
VS
THEY’RE (contraction of THEY and ARE)
They’re bound to be proud of their new website.
TO (in the direction of; as far as; to the extent of)
I’m going to Birmingham.
VS
TWO (the number 2)
We’ve launched two new websites this week.
VS
TOO (as well as; superfluously)
I’m going to Birmingham too. It’s too hot here.