Technical SEO Checklist: SEO Tips to Instantly Boost Your Traffic

Covering all your SEO basics is a given if you want to rank high in the search engines. Technical SEO is a topic that needs to be understood and implemented to attract quality traffic to your content or website. That traffic will generate leads and sales while also sustaining good results for a long time. Technical SEO means optimizing your website to be search engine friendly.

Doing this process meticulously is important to get good results with your SEO campaigns. Technical SEO ensures your website is crawlable for search engines so they can index it and rank it.

Being crawlable means the bots from Google can find your new content, which you linked to something they already know about. This way, they can see when a website has new content and categorize it for rank.

We created a technical SEO checklist that lets you understand the importance of technical SEO and tips on how you can use it for your brand’s website. Let’s dive in!

Website Performance Optimization

The main aim of technical SEO is to influence how search engines understand, index, and rank your website. Some components that are involved in making sure that it is performing optimally are:

Page Speed

For both technical SEO optimization and user experience, webpages must load quickly. A quick website improves SEO ranks by lowering bounce rates and maintaining user engagement. Resources like Google PageSpeed Insights are a must for identifying speed issues. They give specific answers and a technical SEO audit checklist to help find issues.

Tips to improve

• Compressing and resizing photos can also greatly lower the loading time.
• Using browser caching allows you to speed up subsequent visits by storing portions of your website on visitors’ devices.
• Speed can be improved by limiting HTTP requests by decreasing the number of components on a page.

Mobile Optimization

Mobile-friendliness for a website is always stressed when talking about technical SEO best practices. The majority of website traffic originates from mobile devices. So, it makes it a non-negotiable factor for good SEO. It means having a responsive site design, which makes your website easily resize to fit the screens of different devices, including smartphones and desktop computers.

Some tools to check your site mobile friendliness

• website.grader
• pagespeed.web
• ready.mobi
• webpagetest.org

A mobile-optimized website not only enhances user experience but also contributes to better search engine rankings.

On-Page SEO

SEO makes search engines notice your website and your content with the help of keywords, images, and descriptions that are already on your website. Some components to focus on in technical on-page SEO are:

Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Title tags are HTML elements that appear in browser tabs and search engine results pages (SERPs) and describe a page’s main content. The content of your page is summed up via Meta descriptions. They don’t directly impact search rankings but are essential for attracting users. A good Meta description should be informative and engaging, using relevant keywords to match search queries.

Google would most probably show your Meta description below the title tag and site URL. Some aspects to keep in mind while writing a description for Technical SEO are-

• Keep the characters below 155, as it would be cut off by Google on the search page. Your safest bet is 105 characters, which are good for both mobiles and desktops.
• The target keyword should be included. Google would bold the keywords people are searching for, and that would help make you stand out and increase clicks.
• Understand the search intent of your customers to write descriptions that answer their questions and make them want to click.
• A CTA like “Get a Free Trial” or “Best Online Services” can help entice the searchers to choose your site over others.

Header Tags

Header tags establish a hierarchy within your content, similar to an outline. This structure helps users understand the content’s organization and navigate it efficiently.

Here’s a recommended hierarchy for header tags:

– H1: The main page title, typically unique for each page.

– H2: Subheadings that divide the content into major sections.

– H3: Subsections under H2 headings provide further detail.

– H4, H5, H6: Used for smaller subsections or additional layers of organization.

Search engines use header tags to determine the importance and relevance of your content. When you use keywords in header tags, it signals to search engines what the page is about. This need for structure again emphasizes why technical SEO is important.

As we talked about in on-page SEO and the recommended hierarchy, The H1 tag carries the most weight, so it’s essential to include your primary keyword there.

Header tags break up long blocks of text, making content more readable. When users visit your page, they can quickly scan the headings to find the information they’re interested in. Visitors are engaged, and the user experience is enhanced as a result.

URL Structure

A clean and descriptive URL structure is a fundamental aspect of technical SEO optimization. It is commonly called a Web Address. It gives the specific location of a webpage on the internet. They are made to replace IP addresses and be readable to humans.

A clean and descriptive URL is one of the technical SEO basics. It tells what the webpage is about in a concise manner to search engines and humans alike.

Dynamic parameters, often seen as strings of numbers and symbols in URLs, can be confusing and unattractive. They don’t convey any meaningful information about the content. By avoiding them, you can make sure that the link is readable and shareable, which is important for the meaning of technical SEO.

One of the best ways to use keywords in your URL is with Hyphens. Using hyphens to separate words in URLs is a best practice. Search engines interpret hyphens as word separators, making it easier for them to understand the individual words in the URL.

Technical Site Architecture

From the above point, we understand that a website’s structure is important in technical SEO, so let’s look at some more detailed aspects of it.

XML Sitemap

It acts as a guide for teaching your content easily. It is especially helpful to sites that add new content regularly or already have thousands of pages.

To generate and submit XML sitemaps:

1.    Create the Sitemap: You can use various online tools or website plugins to generate XML sitemaps automatically. These tools will crawl your site and generate a structured XML file.
2.    Submit to Search Engines: Major search engines like Google and Bing offer webmaster tools where you can submit your sitemap. This informs search engines about your sitemap’s location and updates.

To optimize your technical SEO, you must keep the sitemap up-to-date. This ensures that search engines always have accurate information about your site’s structure and content.

Robots.txt

Everything on your webpage isn’t made to be accessible to the search engines. That is why we need restrictions for crawlers. The robots.txt file tells search engine crawlers which parts of your site they are allowed to crawl and index and which parts they should avoid. It’s an important part of the technical audit checklist.

It is used to restrict access to sensitive or private areas of your site, such as admin pages or user data, which should not appear on search engines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Overblocking: Be cautious not to overuse the disallow directive. Blocking essential pages or resources can harm your site’s SEO. Always test your robots.txt file to ensure it’s not blocking unintended content.
• Case Sensitivity: Remember that robots.txt is case-sensitive. “Disallow: /private/” and “Disallow: /Private/” are treated as different paths.

• Unintended Publicity: Avoid placing sensitive information in robots.txt, as it can be publicly accessible if linked to other public sites. If you want to keep something private, use other methods, such as password protection.

An expert technical SEO agency can help you use these tools correctly and make your site easy to navigate for search engines.

Schema Markup and Structured Data

Creating a well-designed website is necessary for search engines to pick up on what you are offering and show it to people. Here’s how you can add more than descriptions or URLs to further make sure your website is getting seen by search engines–

Rich Snippets And Schema Markup

Rich snippets can be used to enhance your ranking and CTR. Structured data in technical SEO means showing what you offer the best on the first page. The addition of visually appealing elements, such as star ratings, reviews, and product prices, can persuade searchers to look through your site.

For businesses, structured data can showcase important information like business hours, location, and contact details in search results. This builds credibility and trust with potential customers.

You can improve your relationship with search engines by using schema markup for your data. It is a set of special codes added to a website to provide extra information to search engines. To take advantage of it to the fullest, schema.org is a collaborative effort of search engines that makes it easy to understand the vocabulary and work for schema markup for your website.

Implementation 

• Identify Content Types: Determine which types of content on your site can benefit from structured data, such as articles, products, events, recipes, and reviews.
• Use Schema.org Markup: Visit the Schema.org website to find the appropriate markup for your content types. Schema.org provides a library of structured data types and properties.
• Add Markup to HTML: Insert the structured data markup directly into your webpage’s HTML code. You can place it in the <head> section or within specific elements of your content for technical SEO optimization.
• Monitor Performance: After implementation, monitor your site’s performance in search results. Check for enhanced search results and assess how structured data impacts click-through rates and rankings.
• Test on Multiple Devices: Verify that your structured data displays correctly on various devices, including mobile and desktop.

Technical SEO Audits

Regular updating is required to keep your website relevant for search engines, but regularly checking the existing features is also necessary. A technical SEO audit is a process of inspecting the technical aspects of a website to see if it is faring well.

If there is any issue, then you are able to find it and fix it as soon as possible. This is bound to increase your crawlability and performance on search engines.

There are tools like SEMrush Site Audit Tool that can help you figure out things that need fixing on your website and ways to do it as well.

Checklist for Technical SEO Audits

• Checking for broken links and 404 errors.
• Ensuring proper redirects are in place.
• Reviewing XML sitemaps and robots.txt files.
• Evaluating page load speed.
• Verifying mobile-friendliness.
• Examining site structure and URL hierarchy.
• Assessing duplicate content issues.
• Analyzing metadata and header tags.
• Validating structured data and schema markup.
• Verifying HTTPS security.

It is emphasized that you audit your website at least every 3 months, while the ideal auditing timeline would be monthly.

Error Resolution

Common technical SEO issues like broken links can hinder your rankings if they go unnoticed. Regular scans for broken links and replacing or updating them will ensure smooth navigation for your visitors.

Other issues like the 404 error can also be encountered. Customize your 404 error page to guide users to relevant content or provide a search option.

Ensure proper redirection for changed URLs. Use 301 redirects for permanent changes and 302 for temporary ones. Correct redirect handling maintains SEO equity.

Solving these issues will make your visitors stay on your site longer and keep them engaged because of easy navigation.

This is a time-consuming process, but so is technical SEO as a whole. You can learn to do it yourself or hire third-party digital marketing services. Let us help you make an informed decision:

HTTPS and Security

Security is highly valued by Google and other search engines. Your website needs to fulfill all the security requirements to be able to rank high or be recommended. It is a basic requirement because of user data.

Search engines want to make sure that your website offers security to the searchers. HTTPS and SSL certificates are the primary parts of this process. Let’s get into more details–

HTTPS and SSL

HTTPS is a secure protocol that is used to send data between a website and a web browser. Having HTTP is a sign that your data is safe with a website. It encrypts data to make sure that sensitive information such as login credentials, payment details, and personal data is secure and cannot be intercepted by malicious actors during transmission.

Google has already confirmed HTTPS as a ranking factor. It puts a padlock sign in the URL section of the website and deems other ones as insecure. It greatly affects your visibility on the internet. Any website that has HTTPS for its entire site is a good example of technical SEO. You need an SSL certificate to make your transfer from HTTP to HTTPS.

Installing SSL is not a difficult task to do. If you are a website owner, you can get an SSL certificate from a certificate authority and install it on your server. Search engines recognize a third-party certificate because it can be that the website owner is trustworthy.

Website Security

Website security is essential for data protection. Security threats, such as hacking attempts and malware infections, can lead to data breaches, putting sensitive user information at risk. Your website also impacts your online reputation, which is a necessary part of good technical SEO.

A security breach can result in significant damage to your brand’s image. News of security incidents spreads quickly, eroding user trust and credibility. Users are increasingly cautious about visiting and interacting with insecure sites. When they see the padlock icon and HTTPS in the address bar, it instills confidence.

Audits and strong password protection can save you from future cyber attacks, which are good ways to build trust among your visitors and existing loyal consumers.

Putting Together

Technical SEO plays a central role in determining how search engines view your website. You have to assure them that you are an informative and secure source for the searchers. It’s not merely a matter of following trends but a necessity for sustainable growth. This checklist has served as a guide to empower website owners and digital marketers with valuable insights.

Doing it right doesn’t just impact your rankings but also optimizes user experience. Fast-loading pages, mobile-friendliness, well-structured content, and secure browsing are all integral aspects of ensuring that your audience can access and engage with your website effortlessly.

Putting these technical SEO tips into practice is a continuous commitment to enhancing the functionality, security, and user experience of your website. By doing this, you can achieve long-term online success by increasing your search engine ranks and building audience trust. If you want professional assistance with SEO optimization, then contact us via eSign Web Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do Site Migrations Impact SEO?

If site migrations are not managed carefully, they are capable of impacting SEO. Some risks that come to mind are loss of rankings on search engines, less traffic, and broken links. Important steps to ensure a successful migration involve thorough planning, mapping old URLs to new ones, updating internal links, and making sure that the redirects are implemented correctly.

Post-migration, continuous monitoring of traffic, rankings, and site functionality is essential to identify and fix any issues promptly to avoid negative SEO impacts and preserve site authority.

2. In the context of E-A-T, how does content quality affect SEO traffic?

In SEO, E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. High-quality content that reflects these elements positively affects SEO traffic. Expertly written, authoritative, and trustworthy content ranks better on search engines, attracting more visitors. This means the content should be well-researched and accurate, and it should provide valuable information to readers.

Following a technical SEO checklist can also aid in raising your E-A-T. Good E-A-T signals to search engines like Google that your site is a reliable source, thus improving your site’s visibility and potentially increasing your traffic.

3. How does a well-optimized 404 page benefit user experience and traffic?

A well-optimized 404 page can improve user experience and incoming traffic by turning a potential negative—like a user reaching a non-existent page—into a positive interaction. Instead of leaving users frustrated or confused, a good 404 page guides them back to valuable parts of the website. It can include links to popular pages, a search bar, or even some creative, brand-related content.

4. How do you address crawl budget optimization for SEO success?

Crawl budget optimization is a big part of SEO success. It’s all about efficiently managing the number of pages search engines crawl on your website within a given time. To make the most of your crawl budget, start by ensuring your website has a clean structure, free from broken links and unnecessary redirects.

Regularly update your sitemap and use the robots.txt file wisely to guide search engines towards your most important pages. Prioritizing high-value content and eliminating duplicate pages can also help. This strategy ensures search engines spend their time crawling the pages that matter most, boosting your site’s visibility and technical SEO performance.