Do you know Technical SEO is a very important part of SEO- “Without technical SEO you cannot rank your website.” Let’s learn about things that come under technical SEO and ways to implement them on your website.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential elements that contribute to a well-optimized website, ensuring not only visibility but also a positive user experience.
What is technical SEO in digital marketing ?
Technical SEO in digital marketing refers to the optimization of a website’s technical elements to enhance its search engine visibility and performance. It involves optimizing aspects that impact how search engines crawl, index, and rank a site. Key elements of technical SEO include website speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, site architecture, structured data, and the proper use of tags and headers.
Understanding Sitemap
At the core of Technical SEO is Sitemap.XML – a roadmap for search engines to navigate through your website efficiently.
Sitemap is a list of your URL (pages)- it tells search engines and users what and where the content is on your website. It helps in better crawling and navigation of the website. There are two types of sitemaps one for users and the other for bots (google bots/crawlers).
XML sitemaps communicate with search engines, and Sitemap.HTML serves your users.
Create and implement a sitemap
- Sitemap for WordPress
- Using various plugins
- Recommended plugin- Yoast plugin/ RankMath
- Sitemap for Customer website
- Free tools as well as paid tools
You can generate the sitemap for your website using this site XML.sitemap.com – just enter your website URL and download the sitemap generated by this tool.
- Now go to your hosting and find a folder for your website
- Go to public_html
- Paste sitemap file generated by XML.sitemap.com
- Now go to the search console and submit sitemaps
Robots.txt File
The Robots.txt file acts as the gatekeeper, directing search engine crawlers on what to access and what to ignore.
These are related to search engines. The Robots.txt file acts as the gatekeeper, directing search engine crawlers on what to access and what to ignore.
Simply, it tells google what to crawl and what not to crawl. Sometimes we have the personal information of users or it can be any other security reasons, so it should not be crawled and indexted by Google – we need an option not to crawl – here robot.txt is used to restrict pages from getting crawled.
Test whether your robot.txt files are working properly or not –
Go to google.com and search – robot .txt checker by Google
Fortifying Your Website with an SSL Certificate
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certification is a standard security protocol that establishes a secure connection between a user’s web browser and the website they are visiting. It ensures that the data exchanged between the user and the website remains encrypted and secure, protecting sensitive information from potential threats. SSL certification is typically indicated by the presence of “https://” in the website URL, along with a padlock symbol.
Search engines, particularly Google, have incorporated website security as a ranking factor. SSL-encrypted websites are favored in search rankings, providing them with a competitive edge over non-secure counterparts.
After successfully setting up SSL on your website, the next crucial step is to migrate any existing non-SSL pages from “http” to “https” This task may seem daunting, but the benefits in terms of improved search engine ranking make it well worth the effort. To seamlessly transition your website, follow these essential steps:
Redirection of HTTP Pages to HTTPS:
Redirect all your existing “http://yourwebsite.com“ pages to their secure counterparts by utilizing a 301 redirect. This can be achieved through server-side configurations or by utilizing your content management system’s (CMS) settings. The aim is to automatically send users and search engines to the updated “https://yourwebsite.com” versions of your pages.
Canonical Tags
Canonical tags play a crucial role in resolving duplicate content issues.
These tags serve as directives to search engines, indicating the preferred URL for indexing when multiple URLs contain similar or identical content. By specifying the canonical URL, website owners ensure that search engines prioritize indexing the desired page, consolidating ranking signals, and avoiding potential penalties for duplicate content.
Redirection (404, 301, 302)
Redirection refers to the process of forwarding one URL to another. It plays an important role in preserving SEO equity, maintaining user experience, and rectifying any errors that might arise during website navigation.
The three most common types of redirection are 301, 302, and 404 redirects.
- 301 Redirects: This type of redirection indicates a permanent move from one URL to another. It tells search engines that a page has permanently shifted to a new location, ensuring that the SEO value of the old page is transferred to the new one. Using 301 redirects is crucial during website restructuring, URL changes, or when merging multiple websites.
- 302 Redirects: Unlike 301 redirects, 302 redirects indicate a temporary move from one URL to another. They are often used when a page is undergoing maintenance or when the move is temporary. However, it’s important to use 302 redirects judiciously, as they don’t pass the same SEO value as 301 redirects and can lead to indexing issues if used incorrectly.
- 404 Redirects: When a user attempts to access a non-existent page or broken link, they encounter a 404 error page. While 404 errors are inevitable on websites, it’s essential to handle them effectively through custom error pages or redirects. By implementing 404 redirects, webmasters can redirect users to relevant pages within the site, minimizing bounce rates and preserving SEO equity.
You can use Redirection plugin in WordPress. Or you can go for Rank math plugin to solve redirection issues.
Structured Data
Structured data, also known as schema markup, provides search engines with context about the content on a webpage, enabling them to display rich snippets in SERPs. By incorporating structured data markup into their HTML code, webmasters can enhance the visibility and relevance of their content
Open Graph Tags
Open Graph tags are meta tags that allow websites to control how their content appears when shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others. By optimizing Open Graph tags, webmasters can ensure that their content is presented in the most engaging manner, when shared on social networks, thereby maximizing its visibility and reach.
Key Open Graph tags include “og:title,” “og:description,” “og:image,” and “og:url,” which dictate the title, description, thumbnail image, and canonical URL of the shared content, respectively. By customizing these tags to accurately reflect the essence of their content, webmasters can entice users to click through and explore the shared link further, driving referral traffic and it could improve website’s social media presence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Technical SEO only for large websites?
No, technical SEO is essential for websites of all sizes. It ensures optimal performance and visibility on search engines.
How frequently should I update my XML sitemap?
Regularly update your XML sitemap whenever there are significant changes to your website’s structure or content.
Do I need an SSL certificate if my website doesn’t handle sensitive information?
Yes, an SSL certificate adds an extra layer of security and can positively impact your search engine rankings.
What is the most common mistake in website redirections?
The most common mistake is not using the appropriate redirect code, leading to issues with user experience and SEO.
How can structured data benefit my website beyond SEO?
Structured data not only improves search engine visibility but also enhances the presentation of your content on various platforms, including voice search and virtual assistants.
