10 things you need to tick off your Technical SEO Checklist

Right, so you’ve got this website and you want it to rank well in search engines. That’s where technical SEO comes in. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes magic that makes sure your site is running smoothly and search engines can find it easily. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for a while, having a technical SEO checklist is super handy. It helps you keep track of what needs fixing or improving. Here’s a list of things you should definitely check off to keep your site in tip-top shape.

Key Takeaways

Setting up Google Search Console is a must for tracking your website’s performance.
Don’t forget Bing Webmaster Tools; it’s not just about Google.
Site speed can make or break user experience, so optimise it.
Crawl errors can hide your content from search engines, so keep an eye out for them.
HTTPS isn’t just for e-commerce sites; it adds a layer of trust and security.

1. Set Up Google Search Console

Getting started with Google Search Console is a no-brainer if you’re serious about monitoring and improving your site’s performance. This free tool is essential for anyone who wants to understand how Google views their website.

Why Use Google Search Console?

Monitor Site Performance: It provides insights into how your site is performing in Google search results.
Identify Crawl Errors: You can spot and fix issues that might prevent Google from indexing your site properly.
Submit Sitemaps: Easily submit your sitemap to help Google understand your site structure.

Steps to Set Up Google Search Console

Sign In: Use your Google account to sign in to Google Search Console.
Add Property: Enter your website URL and click ‘Add Property’.
Verify Ownership: Choose a verification method such as HTML tag or Google Analytics.

Setting up Google Search Console is like getting a backstage pass to your website’s performance on Google. It’s a simple step that offers powerful insights.

2. Install Bing Webmaster Tools

Setting up Bing Webmaster Tools (BWT) is a smart move to enhance your site’s visibility. While Bing may not be as popular as Google, it still boasts over 100 million daily users. Ignoring this audience means missing out on potential traffic.

Here’s a quick guide to getting started with Bing Webmaster Tools:

Sign Up or Log In: Begin by visiting the Bing Webmaster Tools website. You can sign up using a Microsoft account, or log in if you already have one.
Add Your Site: Once logged in, you’ll need to add your website. Enter your site’s URL and confirm ownership. This usually involves adding a meta tag to your site’s homepage or uploading an XML file to your server.
Submit Your Sitemap: After verifying your site, submit your sitemap. This helps Bing crawl and index your pages more efficiently.
Explore the Features: BWT offers a range of tools to help you monitor your site’s performance. You can track keyword rankings, identify crawl errors, and see which queries are driving traffic to your site.

Bing Webmaster Tools might not have the same level of detail as Google Search Console, but it still provides valuable insights that can help refine your SEO strategy.

By integrating BWT into your SEO toolkit, you ensure that your site is optimised for Bing’s search engine, tapping into a wider audience and gaining additional data to improve your online presence.

3. Optimise Site Speed

Speed is a big deal for websites. A slow site can drive visitors away faster than you can say “bounce rate.” Plus, it’s a factor Google considers when ranking pages. So, getting your site to load quickly is a must-do for any technical SEO checklist.

Why Speed Matters

When a site loads in a flash, users stick around longer, which can lead to more engagement and conversions. Google’s Core Web Vitals, which include metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), are key indicators of site speed and overall user experience.

Steps to Boost Your Site Speed

Optimise Images: Compress your images without losing quality. Use formats like WebP or JPEG 2000 to keep things light.
Minimise HTTP Requests: Each element on your page makes a request. Fewer requests mean faster loading.
Enable Compression: Use tools like Gzip or Brotli to compress files, reducing the time it takes for your site to load.

Keep an Eye on Fonts

Fonts can slow you down if you’re not careful. Minimise the number of fonts you use, and stick to those that are optimised for speed.

Quick tip: Regularly test your site speed with tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights. It’s free and gives you a clear picture of what’s slowing you down.

In conclusion, don’t underestimate the power of a speedy site. It not only keeps users happy but also helps you climb those Google rankings. So, make site speed a priority in your SEO strategy.

4. Check for Crawl Errors

Understanding Crawl Errors

Crawl errors happen when search engines try to access your site but hit a snag. This could be missing pages, server issues, or misdirected links. Ignoring these errors can seriously hurt your search rankings.

How to Identify Crawl Errors

Google Search Console is your go-to tool for spotting crawl errors. Here’s a quick way to check:

Log into Google Search Console.
Navigate to the “Pages” report under the “Indexing” section.
Look for pages listed under “Not indexed.”

Common Crawl Errors

Server Errors (5xx): These occur when a server fails to respond.
404 Errors: Missing pages that users or bots can’t find.
Redirect Errors: Issues with redirect chains or loops.

Fixing Crawl Errors

Once you’ve identified the errors, it’s time to fix them:

For server errors, check your server’s health and configuration.
Update or redirect broken links to live pages.
Use 301 redirects for permanent page moves.

Regularly checking your site for crawl errors ensures search engines can effectively index your content, keeping your site visible and accessible.

For more tips on managing technical SEO, including how to address smartphone crawl errors, make sure your site is always ready for search engine bots.

5. Optimise Site Architecture

Establish a Clear Hierarchy

Start by setting up a straightforward hierarchy for your website. Ensure that important pages are just a few clicks away from the homepage. This not only helps users find what they need quickly but also makes it easier for search engines to understand your site’s structure. Think of it like a well-organised library where every book is easy to find.

Use Internal Linking

Internal links are like the threads that stitch your site together. They connect related pages, helping both users and search engines navigate through your content. For instance, if you have a strategic website architecture that improves search rankings, ensure your blog posts link to relevant product pages. This creates a web of connections that enhances crawling and indexing.

Implement Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are a nifty tool for larger sites. They act as a secondary navigation aid, showing users the path they’ve taken to get to a particular page. This not only aids navigation but also assists search engines in understanding the relationship between different pages. However, for smaller sites, they might not be necessary and could even clutter the user experience.

Focus on User-Friendly Design

Design your site with the user in mind. Prioritise intuitive navigation, easy access to key content, and ensure your site is mobile-friendly. A user-centric design not only keeps visitors happy but also signals to search engines that your site is worth ranking higher. Remember, a happy user is often a returning user.

A well-thought-out site architecture can significantly boost your SEO efforts by making your site more accessible and easier to navigate. It’s like laying down a strong foundation for a house; everything else builds upon it smoothly.

6. Use Well-Structured URLs

Creating SEO-friendly URLs is more important than you might think. A well-structured URL not only helps search engines understand what your page is about but also makes it easier for users to remember and share your links. A good URL is concise, relevant, and descriptive.

Tips for Crafting SEO-Friendly URLs

Keep it Short and Simple: A URL should be as short as possible while still being descriptive. Avoid using unnecessary words or characters.
Use Hyphens to Separate Words: Hyphens are preferred over underscores because search engines can read them as spaces, making URLs more readable.
Include Relevant Keywords: Make sure your URL reflects the content of the page by including important keywords.

Avoid Common URL Mistakes

Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your URL with keywords can make it look spammy and negatively impact your SEO.
Skip Unnecessary Parameters: Keep away from using complex query strings that don’t add value to the URL.
Ensure Consistency: Use a consistent format across your website to maintain a professional look.

A clean and straightforward URL structure is not just about aesthetics; it’s about making your site more accessible and understandable to both users and search engines. A well-structured URL can significantly contribute to better indexing and higher rankings.

7. Secure Your Website with HTTPS

Switching your website to HTTPS is a big deal. It’s not just about keeping data safe; it’s also about building trust with your visitors. When people see that little padlock in the address bar, they know their info is safe, and that’s a big win for your business.

Why make the switch to HTTPS? First off, HTTPS encrypts the data sent between your site and your visitors. This means hackers can’t easily intercept sensitive info. It’s a must-have for any site, especially if you’re dealing with e-commerce or collecting personal data.

Here’s a quick list of steps to get your site on HTTPS:

Get an SSL Certificate: You’ll need to purchase one from a trusted certificate authority.
Install the Certificate on Your Server: This usually involves a bit of technical know-how, so you might need your hosting provider’s help.
Update Your Website Links: Make sure all your internal links point to HTTPS versions. This includes updating any links in your database or CMS.
Set Up 301 Redirects: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to ensure users and search engines land on the secure version of your site.
Check for Mixed Content: Ensure all elements on your site, like images and scripts, are loaded over HTTPS to avoid browser warnings.

Implementing HTTPS not only boosts your site’s security but also improves its credibility and trustworthiness. In a world where online security is a top priority, having browsers enhance security by automatically upgrading mixed content requests can make a difference.

Don’t forget, HTTPS is also a minor ranking factor in Google’s algorithm. So, while it might not shoot you to the top of search results on its own, it’s a part of the bigger SEO puzzle. Plus, it just feels good to know your site is secure, doesn’t it?

8. Monitor SEO Performance

Keeping an eye on your SEO performance is like having a map when you’re on a road trip. Without it, you might end up lost or going in circles. Regularly monitoring your SEO performance helps you understand what’s working and what needs fixing.

Key Metrics to Track

Organic Traffic: This is the number of visitors coming to your site from search engines. It’s a good indicator of how well your SEO efforts are paying off.
Keyword Rankings: Keep track of where your site ranks for important keywords. This can help you adjust your strategy if you notice any drops or gains.
Bounce Rate: If people are leaving your site quickly, it might mean that the content isn’t engaging or relevant enough.
Page Load Time: Slow pages can frustrate users and impact your rankings.

Tools for Monitoring

Google Analytics: This tool is essential for tracking traffic, user behaviour, and more.
Google Search Console: Provides insights into how Google views your site and can alert you to any issues.
SEMrush or Ahrefs: These tools offer more advanced tracking options, including backlink analysis and competitor insights.

Keeping tabs on your SEO performance isn’t just about numbers. It’s about understanding your audience and making sure your content meets their needs. The more you know about how your site is doing, the better you can make it work for you.

Steps to Improve

Set Clear Goals: Know what you want to achieve with your SEO efforts. Is it more traffic, better engagement, or higher sales?
Regular Audits: Check your site’s health regularly to spot and fix any issues.
Stay Updated: SEO is always changing, so keep learning and adapting your strategies.

Monitoring your SEO performance isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process that helps you stay on top of your game and ahead of the competition. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can make sure your site is always performing at its best. Explore essential aspects of SEO tracking to ensure you’re covering all bases.

9. Implement Cache-Control Headers

Implementing cache-control headers is like giving your site a speed boost. By defining how long browsers should store resources, you can significantly improve load times. This means when users visit your site, they won’t have to download the same files every time; instead, their browser will keep a copy for quicker access.

Here’s how you can get started:

Identify Static Resources: Pinpoint items that don’t change often, like images, CSS files, and scripts.
Set Cache-Control Headers: Use the Cache-Control HTTP header to specify how long and under what conditions these resources should be cached.
Test Your Settings: Make sure everything is working as expected by clearing your cache and reloading your site.

A well-implemented caching strategy not only speeds up your site but also reduces server load, making your website more efficient overall.

Remember, setting up cache-control headers isn’t just a one-time thing. Keep an eye on your site’s performance and adjust as necessary.

10. Check Title Tags

Getting your title tags right is like crafting the perfect headline. They’re the first thing people notice on search engines and can make or break whether someone clicks on your link. Let’s dive into some key considerations for optimising your title tags.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to title tags, steering clear of certain pitfalls can help keep your SEO efforts on track:

Duplicate Titles: Avoid using the same title tag across multiple pages. This can confuse search engines and dilute your page’s visibility.
Lengthy Titles: Keep your titles concise. Google usually displays the first 60 characters, so make sure your main message fits within this limit.
Missing Titles: Every page needs a title tag. Without it, search engines might auto-generate one, which often isn’t ideal.

Steps to Optimise Title Tags

Include Keywords: Make sure your primary keyword appears in the title. This helps search engines understand what your page is about.
Use Modifiers: Add words like “best,” “guide,” or “2024” to make your titles more appealing and relevant.
Make It Unique: Each title should be distinct to reflect the specific content of that page.

Title tags are more than just a technical requirement—they’re your first chance to grab attention and convey the essence of your content.

By following these guidelines, you can enhance your site’s SEO title tags to boost rankings, improve visibility, and attract more clicks.

Make sure your title tags are clear and relevant. They play a big role in how your site appears in search results. If you want to learn more about improving your website’s SEO, visit us at All Things SEO!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is setting up Google Search Console important?

Google Search Console helps you track your website’s performance in Google Search, identify issues, and improve your site’s visibility.

How does Bing Webmaster Tools differ from Google Search Console?

Bing Webmaster Tools is similar to Google Search Console but focuses on Bing’s search engine, offering insights and tools to optimise your site for Bing.

What are crawl errors and why should I fix them?

Crawl errors occur when search engines can’t access a webpage. Fixing them ensures your site is properly indexed, improving its visibility.

Why is site speed optimisation crucial for SEO?

A fast-loading site enhances user experience and is favoured by search engines, helping to improve your site’s rankings.

How does HTTPS improve my website’s SEO?

HTTPS secures data transfer, building trust with users and search engines, and can positively influence your site’s ranking.

What are cache-control headers and why should I use them?

Cache-control headers help browsers store website resources locally, speeding up load times for returning visitors.