Technical SEO- the only time a checklist is warrranted.
Have you ever wondered why some websites appear at the top of search engine results while others don’t? Well, it’s not just about having great content; there's another important factor: technical SEO. In this blog post, we’ll explore what technical SEO is, why it matters, and how you can improve your site’s technical SEO.
What is Technical SEO?
Technical SEO refers to the behind-the-scenes aspects of website optimization that help search engines understand and index your site more effectively. It involves making sure your website is technically sound, easy to navigate, and fast to load. Think of it like preparing your house for a big party—cleaning up, organizing things, and making sure everything works smoothly so guests can have a good time.
Why Does Technical SEO Matter?
Technical SEO is crucial because it directly affects how well your website ranks in search engine results. When a search engine like Google looks at your site, it needs to understand what your site is about, how reliable it is, and whether it provides a good user experience. If your site isn’t optimized technically, it might get overlooked or even penalized by the search engines.
Key Components of Technical SEO
Website Speed: How fast your site loads is one of the most important factors. Search engines prefer sites that load quickly because users expect instant gratification. You can check your site speed using tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Three seconds or less is the goal.
Mobile-Friendliness: Everyone is online via their phones nowadays and it’s essential that your site is mobile-friendly. Google has made mobile-friendliness a ranking factor, so if your site isn’t responsive, it may not perform as well in search results. Most CMSs have auto tune your site for mobile.
Secure Website (HTTPS): Secure sites use HTTPS instead of HTTP. This means that data between your site and the user is encrypted, which helps protect user privacy and security. Search engines also favor secure sites.
Robust Site Structure: Your site should be easy to navigate. Users should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. A clear and logical site structure helps both users and search engines understand the content on your site. This is called internal linking.
XML Sitemap: An XML sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your site. Search engines use this file to understand the structure of your site and index all the pages. This helps ensure that all your content is discoverable. The sitemap .xml file is typically located in the root directory of your domain (ex: https://www.websitedomain.com/sitemap.xml)
Canonical Tags: Canonical tags help prevent duplicate content issues. If you have multiple versions of the same page, a canonical tag tells search engines which version is the original and should be indexed. This is not that so problematic on smaller, newer sites.
Structured Data Markup: Structured data markup, such as schema.org, helps search engines understand the content on your site better. This can lead to rich snippets in search results, which can increase click-through rates.
How to Improve Your Technical SEO
Optimize Images: Compress images to reduce file size without compromising quality. Use descriptive filenames and alt text to help search engines understand what the image is about. This is also super useful for those who use on-page screen readers.
Technical SEO might seem complex, but it’s all about making sure your site is user-friendly, fast, and secure. There are so many checklists out there, that it’s easy to find one. Curious about our checklist? Don’t hesitate to ask for it!
Happy optimizing!
