What is technical SEO?
Technical SEO is like giving your website a turbo boost for search engines. It’s about making your site faster, easy to explore, and simple for search engines to understand.
Think of it as making your online home super cool and efficient, so search engines love hanging out there and show it off to others.
Why should you optimize your site technically?
Google and other search engines aim to give users the best results when they search. Picture this: Google’s little robots (like online detectives) check web pages for many things. Some check how quick a page loads (speed matters!). Others help the robots understand what your pages are all about. Here’s where structured data comes in – it’s like giving clues to the robots.
Improving technical stuff on your site helps these robots explore and get your site. Nail it, and you might get a high spot in search results. Maybe even cool things like “rich results” could happen!
But, be careful! Messing up technically can cost you. Imagine accidentally telling the robots, “Stay out!” by putting a slash in the wrong place. Oops!
Here’s the trick: Your website should be awesome for users first – fast, clear, and easy to use. Good news is, when you get the technical stuff right, it often makes everyone happy – users and the search engine detectives
Technical SEO Checklist
Site Speed:
People have zero patience for slow websites. A fast site keeps visitors happy and engaged. Plus, Google likes to showcase speedy sites in search results, boosting your SEO ranking.
Compress images, leverage browser caching, and consider a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Choose a reliable hosting service, and optimize code to make your site as nimble as a cat chasing a laser pointer.
Mobile Friendliness:
More folks surf the web on their phones than ever. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, users will bounce faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline. Google also rewards mobile-friendly sites with better search rankings.
Use responsive design, test your site on various devices, and ensure buttons are touch-friendly. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test is your buddy here – run your site through it to ensure it’s mobile-ready.
Utilize a robots.txt file:
Think of it as your website’s guidebook for search engines. It helps them focus on what matters, avoiding unnecessary areas. It’s like telling a chef which ingredients to use for a perfect dish.
Create a robots.txt file, list the directories you want to keep private, and upload it to your website’s root directory. Make sure it’s not blocking important pages unintentionally.
Create Sitemap.XML:
A sitemap is your website’s treasure map for search engines, guiding them through your content. It’s like giving them a roadmap to explore your site efficiently.
Use online tools or plugins to generate a sitemap. Once done, submit it to Google Search Console. This ensures search engines don’t miss any hidden gems on your site.
Submit for Indexing (Google Search Console):
Without submitting your site, Google might not know you exist. Being indexed means your pages can show up in search results, bringing in potential visitors. It’s like putting your site on the digital map.
Set up Google Search Console, add your website property, and submit your sitemap. Google will then start indexing your pages. Keep an eye on the console for any issues or insights.
Crawl Error:
Crawl errors are like roadblocks for search engine bots. Fixing them ensures a smooth journey for these bots, helping them explore and index your site properly.
Regularly check Google Search Console for crawl errors. Fix broken links, redirect pages if necessary, and ensure your website structure is clean and error-free.
Analytics (Google Analytics):
Understanding your audience is crucial for success. Google Analytics provides insights into visitor behavior, helping you tweak your site for maximum engagement. It’s like having a personal spy on your website visitors.
Set up Google Analytics on your site. Once installed, explore the reports. Pay attention to user demographics, popular pages, and conversion rates. Use this data to make informed decisions about your content and user experience.
Fixing Broken Pages:
Broken pages frustrate users and harm your SEO. Fixing them ensures a seamless user experience and helps maintain a positive relationship with search engines.
Regularly check for broken links using tools like Google Search Console or external link checkers. Once identified, update or redirect the links to relevant, working pages.
Avoiding Duplicate Content:
Search engines penalize duplicate content, as it confuses them about which page to rank. Unique content ensures each page brings value, enhancing your SEO efforts.
Create original content for each page. Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page if you have similar content in multiple places. This ensures search engines understand your content hierarchy.
